How to Install JuliusBrussee/caveman: One-Liner, Dry-Run, and Manual Methods

Install JuliusBrussee/caveman by running curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/main/install.sh | bash to auto-detect your AI agents, or use node bin/install.js --dry-run to preview changes before applying them.

JuliusBrussee/caveman is a Node.js skill that makes AI coding agents respond in token-efficient “caveman-speak.” This guide explains how to install JuliusBrussee/caveman using automated one-liners, targeted per-agent setups, or manual methods from the source repository.

Quick Install with the One-Liner Command

The fastest way to install JuliusBrussee/caveman is the official one-liner script that auto-detects supported agents like Claude Code, Gemini CLI, opencode, and Cursor.

For macOS, Linux, WSL, or Git Bash:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/main/install.sh | bash

For Windows PowerShell 5.1+:

irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/main/install.ps1 | iex

This executes bin/install.js to detect agents, install plugins, copy hook scripts like caveman-activate.js, and patch configuration files such as settings.json or opencode.json. The process completes in approximately 30 seconds and is idempotent—re-running safely skips existing installations unless you use --force.

Preview Changes Before Installing

Use the --dry-run flag to audit every file write and command before execution.

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/main/install.sh \
  | bash -s -- --dry-run

Output shows would run: prefixed lines for each action, including which binaries would be called and which JSON patches would apply, without modifying your system.

Per-Agent Installation

Target specific agents using the --only flag to avoid modifying configurations for tools you do not use.

Install only for opencode:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/main/install.sh \
  | bash -s -- --only opencode

Install only for Cursor:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/main/install.sh \
  | bash -s -- --only cursor

View all supported agent IDs:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/main/install.sh \
  | bash -s -- --list

Supported agents include Claude Code, Gemini CLI, opencode, OpenClaw, and 30+ others. According to the INSTALL.md matrix, some agents auto-activate while others require manual /caveman commands each session.

Manual Installation from Source

Review code before execution by cloning the repository and running the Node.js installer directly.

git clone https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman.git
cd caveman
node bin/install.js --dry-run --all
node bin/install.js --all

The installOpencode function in bin/install.js (line 52) performs these actions:

• Creates ~/.config/opencode/plugins/caveman/ and copies plugin.js and package.json
• Copies command files (caveman.md, caveman-commit.md) to ~/.config/opencode/commands/
• Copies sub-agent files (cavecrew-builder.md) to ~/.config/opencode/agents/
• Installs skill directories to ~/.config/opencode/skills/
• Appends a fenced rule block to ~/.config/opencode/AGENTS.md
• Patches ~/.config/opencode/opencode.json with the plugin entry

All modified files are backed up with *.bak extensions before writing.

Verify Your Installation

Confirm successful installation by listing detected agents and testing the toggle command.

List installed agents:

node bin/install.js --list

Test in Claude Code or compatible agents:

/caveman
What is a closure in JavaScript?

Verify the active flag file for Claude Code:

cat "${CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR:-$HOME/.claude}/.caveman-active"

This should output full or your selected mode. If missing, the SessionStart hook failed; re-run with --force or check ~/.claude/hooks/ for caveman-activate.js.

Uninstall JuliusBrussee/caveman

Remove all Caveman components from every detected agent:

npx -y github:JuliusBrussee/caveman -- --uninstall

This deletes hook entries from settings.json, the opencode plugin folder, AGENTS.md blocks, Gemini extensions, Claude Code plugins, and the .caveman-active flag. Skills installed via npx skills add require manual removal using npx skills remove caveman.

Summary

• One-liner install: Use curl -fsSL ... | bash for automatic detection and setup of all AI agents in 30 seconds.
• Dry-run safety: Append --dry-run to preview every file modification and command before execution.
• Targeted installs: Use --only <agent> to limit installation to specific tools like opencode or Cursor.
• Manual control: Clone the repository and run node bin/install.js with --all or --dry-run to audit the installOpencode logic and backup behavior.
• Idempotent design: Re-running the installer is safe; original configs are backed up as *.bak files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is JuliusBrussee/caveman safe to install?

Yes. The installer in bin/install.js creates *.bak backups of all modified configuration files before writing changes. It performs zero telemetry after installation—all network activity occurs only during the initial fetch of hook files, as documented in SECURITY.md.

Can I install JuliusBrussee/caveman without using curl?

Yes. Clone the repository manually, then run node bin/install.js --all after reviewing the code. This method bypasses the install.sh shim and gives you direct control over the bin/install.js execution without network pipes.

Which AI agents support JuliusBrussee/caveman?

The installer auto-detects Claude Code, Gemini CLI, opencode, Cursor, OpenClaw, and over 30 other agents. Run node bin/install.js --list to see the full detection matrix, or check INSTALL.md for per-agent compatibility details and auto-activation status.

How do I force reinstall JuliusBrussee/caveman if something breaks?

Add the --force flag to overwrite existing installations: curl -fsSL ... | bash -s -- --force. This rewrites hook scripts and config patches even if the installer detects existing Caveman files, useful when the .caveman-active flag is missing or hooks fail to fire.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}