How to Install Agent Reach CLI: Complete Setup Guide from Source

Install Agent Reach CLI by cloning the Panniantong/Agent-Reach repository, installing the package in editable mode with pip install -e ., and running the built-in doctor command to validate system prerequisites.

Agent Reach is a Python-based command-line interface that bundles "glue" tools for accessing multiple internet platforms through a unified channel architecture. To install the CLI from the Panniantong/Agent-Reach source repository, you will clone the code, install the package in development mode, and configure platform-specific credentials. This guide covers the complete installation process using the official docs/install.md procedure and the diagnostic tools defined in agent_reach/doctor.py.

Prerequisites

Before installing Agent Reach CLI, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

• Python 3.10 or higher – The codebase requires modern Python features as specified in agent_reach/cli.py.
• Git – Required to clone the repository from GitHub.
• pip – Python's package installer for handling dependencies.

Step-by-Step Installation

Clone the Repository

First, download the source code from GitHub to your local machine. This gives you access to the full package including agent_reach/cli.py and the doctor module.

git clone https://github.com/Panniantong/Agent-Reach.git
cd Agent-Reach

Create a Virtual Environment (Recommended)

Isolate the Agent Reach dependencies from your global Python installation to avoid conflicts.

python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: .venv\Scripts\activate

Install in Editable Mode

Install the package using the editable (-e) flag. This registers the CLI entry point while keeping source files linked for instant updates without reinstallation.

pip install -e .

This command processes the package configuration and makes the agent_reach module available as a runnable CLI.

Verify the CLI Installation

Confirm that the CLI is properly registered by displaying the top-level help menu defined in agent_reach/cli.py:

python -m agent_reach.cli --help

This should output available subcommands including doctor, install, read, and search.

Run the Doctor Command

Execute the built-in diagnostics to verify system prerequisites. The doctor module (agent_reach/doctor.py) checks for required tools like ffmpeg, validates network connectivity, and confirms Python version compatibility.

python -m agent_reach.cli doctor

Configure Environment Variables

Auto-configure the environment using the install command with the --env=auto flag. This detects your operating system, installs optional dependencies, and generates a default .env file with placeholders for API keys and cookies.

python -m agent_reach.cli install --env=auto

After auto-configuration, edit the generated .env file to add your actual credentials for platforms like Twitter and XHS. Refer to docs/cookie-export.md for the correct cookie format required by the channel implementations in agent_reach/channels/base.py.

Testing Your Installation

Verify end-to-end functionality by executing a read operation on a supported platform. This confirms that the CLI, configuration loader (agent_reach/config.py), and channel contracts are working correctly.

python -m agent_reach.cli read https://twitter.com/username/status/12345

If the command returns platform data without errors, your Agent Reach CLI installation is fully operational.

Summary

• Clone the Panniantong/Agent-Reach repository to access source files including agent_reach/cli.py and agent_reach/doctor.py.
• Install using pip install -e . for editable mode, allowing instant updates when modifying channel code.
• Validate installation with python -m agent_reach.cli doctor to check system prerequisites and network connectivity.
• Configure platform credentials via python -m agent_reach.cli install --env=auto and edit the generated .env file.
• Test functionality using the read command to confirm channel access works end-to-end.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Python version is required for Agent Reach CLI?

Agent Reach CLI requires Python 3.10 or higher. The doctor module in agent_reach/doctor.py explicitly validates this version during the diagnostic phase to ensure compatibility with modern async features and type hints used throughout the codebase.

Why should I use editable mode (-e) when installing?

Using pip install -e . installs the package in development mode, which links the installed package directly to your source files. This means any changes you make to the channel implementations in agent_reach/channels/ or configuration logic in agent_reach/config.py take effect immediately without requiring reinstall.

How do I add credentials for platforms like Twitter or XHS?

After running python -m agent_reach.cli install --env=auto, the CLI generates a .env file in your project root. Open this file and paste the required API keys or session cookies for each platform. Consult docs/cookie-export.md for the specific cookie format expected by the BaseChannel class in agent_reach/channels/base.py.

What does the doctor command check?

The doctor command performs comprehensive system validation defined in agent_reach/doctor.py. It verifies your Python version, checks for optional system binaries like ffmpeg (required for video extraction), tests network connectivity to supported platforms, and validates that your configuration files contain valid syntax.

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