# Open-Code-Review Deployment Requirements: Complete Setup Guide

> Discover Open Code Review deployment requirements. Install Git, Node.js or pre-compiled binaries for Linux, macOS, or Windows. Build from source with Go 1.22+. Get the complete setup guide now.

- Repository: [Alibaba/open-code-review](https://github.com/alibaba/open-code-review)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-08-04

---

**Deploy Open-Code-Review by installing Git ≥2.41 and either Node.js with npm for the JavaScript wrapper, or download pre-compiled binaries for Linux, macOS, or Windows; Go 1.22+ is only required when building from source.**

The **alibaba/open-code-review** repository distributes a cross-platform AI-powered code review CLI that requires specific runtime dependencies depending on your installation method. Understanding the deployment requirements ensures seamless integration into local development workflows or CI/CD pipelines. This guide covers every prerequisite, from Git versioning to network connectivity for LLM endpoints.

## Core Prerequisites

All deployment paths share two non-negotiable requirements: a compatible Git installation and network access to an AI provider.

### Git Version Requirements

**Git ≥2.41** is mandatory for all installation methods. According to the source code in [`cmd/opencodereview/main.go`](https://github.com/alibaba/open-code-review/blob/main/cmd/opencodereview/main.go), the CLI relies on the local Git client to generate diffs, resolve file contents, and perform repository-wide scans. The tool executes native Git commands to read staged and unstaged changes, making the binary incompatible with older Git versions that lack required diff-generation flags.

### Operating System Support

The project officially supports **Linux**, **macOS**, and **Windows**. The [`install.sh`](https://github.com/alibaba/open-code-review/blob/main/install.sh) and `install.ps1` scripts in the repository root detect the host platform and download the appropriate pre-compiled binary. No additional virtualization layers are required for the standalone binary releases.

## Installation Methods and Their Requirements

Choose from four distinct deployment paths, each with unique toolchain dependencies.

### npm Global Installation (Node.js)

The primary distribution method uses npm to install the `@alibaba-group/open-code-review` package. This requires:

- **Node.js ≥14** (enforced by the `engines` field in [`package.json`](https://github.com/alibaba/open-code-review/blob/main/package.json))
- **npm** or **yarn** for package management

The npm wrapper installs the compiled Go binary and creates the `ocr` command shim. This method abstracts platform differences but adds a Node.js dependency.

```bash
npm install -g @alibaba-group/open-code-review
ocr version

```

### Shell Script Installers (Linux/macOS and Windows)

For users without Node.js, the repository provides native installers:

**Linux/macOS:**
Requires a POSIX-compatible shell (`sh`, `bash`, `zsh`) and `curl`. The script downloads the binary to `/usr/local/bin` and sets up the `ocr` command.

```bash
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alibaba/open-code-review/main/install.sh | sh

```

**Windows:**
Requires **PowerShell 5+**. The `install.ps1` script places `ocr.exe` in `$Env:ProgramFiles\OpenCodeReview` and updates the system PATH.

```powershell
irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alibaba/open-code-review/main/install.ps1 | iex

```

### Binary Releases (Standalone)

Download pre-compiled archives directly from GitHub Releases. This method requires **no language runtime**—only the OS-specific binary. Extract the archive and move the binary to a directory in your system PATH (e.g., `/usr/local/bin` on Unix systems or `C:\Windows\System32` on Windows).

### Building from Source (Go)

Compiling from source requires the full Go toolchain:

- **Go ≥1.22** (declared in `go.mod`)
- **C compiler** (for cgo dependencies)
- **Git** (to clone the repository)

```bash
git clone https://github.com/alibaba/open-code-review.git
cd open-code-review
go build ./cmd/opencodereview

# Move the resulting binary (opencodereview or ocr.exe) to your PATH

```

## Network and Runtime Dependencies

Beyond local binaries, Open-Code-Review requires external connectivity for its AI functionality.

### LLM Endpoint Connectivity

The deployment requires **network connectivity to an LLM endpoint**. As implemented in `alibaba/open-code-review`, the CLI forwards changed files to configurable providers (Claude, OpenAI, or custom endpoints) to generate review comments. Without this connectivity, the `ocr review` command cannot function, though local diff generation remains available.

### Optional Docker Support

While not strictly required, **Docker** simplifies deployment in CI/CD environments. The repository documentation references containerized runners for GitHub Actions and GitLab CI that bundle the `ocr` binary with Git and networking utilities. This eliminates version conflicts in ephemeral build environments.

## Summary

- **Git ≥2.41** is mandatory for all installation methods to enable diff generation and repository operations.
- **Node.js ≥14** is required only for the npm installation path (`@alibaba-group/open-code-review`).
- **Go 1.22+** is necessary solely for compiling from source via `go build ./cmd/opencodereview`.
- **Linux, macOS, and Windows** are fully supported through pre-compiled binaries.
- **Network access to an LLM endpoint** is required for AI-powered code review functionality.
- Shell script installers provide the fastest deployment for users without Node.js or Go toolchains.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does Open-Code-Review require a specific Node.js version for the npm package?

Yes. The [`package.json`](https://github.com/alibaba/open-code-review/blob/main/package.json) specifies `"engines": {"node": ">=14"}`, meaning you need Node.js version 14 or higher to install the `@alibaba-group/open-code-review` package globally. The npm wrapper handles the underlying Go binary installation automatically.

### Can I deploy Open-Code-Review without installing Node.js or Go?

Absolutely. Download the pre-compiled binary for your operating system from the GitHub Releases page, or use the platform-specific install scripts ([`install.sh`](https://github.com/alibaba/open-code-review/blob/main/install.sh) for Linux/macOS, `install.ps1` for Windows). These methods require only Git ≥2.41 and place a standalone binary on your system PATH.

### What Go version is required to build Open-Code-Review from source?

The `go.mod` file declares **Go 1.22** as the minimum version. You also need a C compiler available on your system for cgo dependencies, along with Git to clone the repository and build the `cmd/opencodereview` package.

### Is an internet connection required after installation?

Yes, for the AI review features. While the `ocr` CLI operates offline for local diff generation, the `ocr review` command requires network connectivity to reach your configured LLM endpoint (OpenAI, Claude, or custom providers). CI/CD deployments must ensure egress rules allow HTTPS traffic to these endpoints.