# How to Install the Caveman AI Coding Assistant: Complete Setup Guide > Install the Caveman AI coding assistant quickly with a simple command. This guide provides a complete setup for macOS, Linux, and Windows, ensuring seamless integration for your AI agents. - Repository: [Julius Brussee/caveman](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-07-07 --- **Install Caveman by running a one-liner curl command on macOS/Linux or an Invoke-Expression command on Windows, which downloads the shell shim and delegates to the Node-based installer at [`bin/install.js`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/bin/install.js) to automatically configure your detected AI agents.** The Caveman AI coding assistant is an open-source project hosted at `JuliusBrussee/caveman` that adds a terse, caveman-style interaction mode to popular AI coding agents like Claude Code and Gemini CLI. Installing Caveman requires only a single terminal command that detects your existing tooling and applies the appropriate configuration automatically. ## One-Liner Installation Methods Caveman provides platform-specific installer scripts that handle the entire setup process from the repository root. ### macOS, Linux, WSL, and Git Bash Run the official install script using curl: ```bash curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/main/install.sh | bash ``` ### Windows PowerShell 5.1+ Execute the PowerShell installer: ```powershell irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/main/install.ps1 | iex ``` ## What the Installer Does When you run the one-liner, the shell script ([`install.sh`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/install.sh) or `install.ps1`) performs several automated steps according to the repository's source code in `JuliusBrussee/caveman`. **Node.js Verification**: The installer first checks that **Node.js ≥ 18** is available on your system, as the core installation logic is implemented in [`bin/install.js`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/bin/install.js). **Agent Detection**: The Node installer scans for supported AI coding agents including Claude Code, Gemini CLI, opencode, and OpenClaw. For each detected agent, it executes the appropriate installation command: - Claude Code: `claude plugin install caveman@caveman` - Gemini CLI: `gemini extensions install` - opencode: `npx skills add` **Offline-First Design**: After the initial installation, all components run offline. The installer downloads assets from the pinned release tag and verifies them using a SHA-256 manifest as documented in [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/INSTALL.md). ## Installation Flags and Options The installer supports several flags to customize the behavior. Pass these after the bash command or directly to [`bin/install.js`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/bin/install.js). **Preview Changes**: Use `--dry-run` to see every command the installer would execute without modifying any files: ```bash curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/main/install.sh | bash -s -- --dry-run ``` **Selective Installation**: Install for a specific agent only: ```bash node bin/install.js --only opencode ``` Or install for all detected agents (default behavior): ```bash node bin/install.js --all ``` **Static Rule Files**: Add `--with-init` to drop static rule files into the current repository, which enables Caveman mode on agents that lack a hook system. **Uninstall**: Remove all Caveman components: ```bash npx -y github:JuliusBrussee/caveman -- --uninstall ``` ## Verification Steps Confirm the installation succeeded using these methods from the [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/INSTALL.md) documentation. **List Detected Agents**: Run the following to see which agents were found and what was installed: ```bash node bin/install.js --list ``` **Test in Claude Code**: Open Claude Code and type `/caveman`. You should receive a terse, caveman-style reply confirming the integration is active. **Check Flag Files**: Verify the activation flag exists in your agent's configuration directory: ```bash cat ~/.claude/.caveman-active ``` ## Summary - Caveman installs via a one-liner shell script that delegates to [`bin/install.js`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/bin/install.js) in the `JuliusBrussee/caveman` repository - The installer requires **Node.js ≥ 18** and automatically detects Claude Code, Gemini CLI, opencode, and other supported agents - Use `--dry-run` to preview changes, `--only ` to target specific agents, and `--uninstall` to remove components - Verify installation by running `node bin/install.js --list` or testing the `/caveman` command in Claude Code ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Does Caveman work offline after installation? Yes. According to the [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/INSTALL.md) documentation in the `JuliusBrussee/caveman` repository, all components are fully offline after the initial run. The installer only downloads assets during setup and verifies them with a SHA-256 manifest. No telemetry or network calls occur during normal usage. ### Can I install Caveman for only one specific AI agent? Yes. Use the `--only` flag followed by the agent identifier. For example, to install only for opencode, run `node bin/install.js --only opencode`. By default, the installer detects and configures all supported agents found on your system using the logic in [`bin/install.js`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/bin/install.js). ### What if I don't have Node.js installed? The installer requires Node.js version 18 or higher because the core installation logic resides in [`bin/install.js`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/bin/install.js). If Node is not available, the shell script will fail with a clear error message. Install Node.js first, then re-run the Caveman installer. ### How do I completely remove Caveman from my system? Run the uninstall command: `npx -y github:JuliusBrussee/caveman -- --uninstall`. This removes all hook files, rule files, and configuration flags that the installer added to your AI agents and home directory, reversing the changes made by [`bin/install.js`](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/blob/main/bin/install.js).