# Ego‑lite Prerequisites: Complete Requirements for Installation and Setup

> Discover the essential ego-lite prerequisites. Learn what you need for installation including macOS, Node.js 22+, npm/npx, and an internet connection.

- Repository: [CitroLabs/ego-lite](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite)
- Tags: getting-started
- Published: 2026-08-03

---

**Bold:** You need macOS (Apple Silicon or Intel), Node.js 22+, npm/npx, and an internet connection to download the installer from `cdn.ego.app`.

Ego‑lite is a macOS‑only AI‑agent‑friendly browser developed by Citro Labs that ships its own runtime and a Node‑based skill for agent automation. Before you can install ego‑lite and start driving it with AI agents, you must satisfy several system‑level and development‑environment prerequisites. This guide covers each requirement with specific reference to the `citrolabs/ego-lite` source code.

## macOS System Requirement

Ego‑lite currently runs **only on macOS**. The project distributes a `.dmg` installer containing both the embedded browser and the Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP) bridge that agents use for automation.

- **Supported architectures:** Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) and Intel
- **Installer source:** `cdn.ego.app` (requires active internet connection)
- **Documentation:** Quick‑Start section of [[`README.md`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/README.md)](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/README.md#quick-start)

> No additional system libraries or browsers are required — ego‑lite bundles its own Chromium build and handles all CDP communication internally.

## Node.js 22 or Higher

The `ego‑browser` skill is a standard **Node ESM package** that agents import and execute. According to the source code in `package/ego-browser/src/`, the skill requires Node 22+ for full ESM and modern JavaScript feature support.

Key skill files include:

- [`package/ego-browser/src/index.ts`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/package/ego-browser/src/index.ts) — entry point that branches between CLI mode (`runMain`) and module import (`installEgoSdk`)
- [`package/ego-browser/src/helpers.ts`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/package/ego-browser/src/helpers.ts) — public API surface exposing `navigate`, `click`, `fill`, `waitForNavigation`, etc.
- [`package/ego-browser/src/run.ts`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/package/ego-browser/src/run.ts) — script evaluation in async context

Install the skill using npx:

```bash

# From any terminal with Node 22+ installed

npx skills add citrolabs/ego-lite

```

The skill implementation is documented in [[`skills/ego-browser/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/skills/ego-browser/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/skills/ego-browser/SKILL.md).

## npm or npx Availability

You need **npm** (and by extension `npx`) to install the `ego‑browser` skill into your agent's skill directory. The installation command:

```bash
npx skills add citrolabs/ego-lite

```

This pattern is shown in the Installation section of [[`README.md`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/README.md)](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/README.md#install).

## Internet Connection for Download and Updates

An active network connection is required for:

1. **Initial download** — fetching the `.dmg` from `cdn.ego.app`
2. **Future updates** — ego‑lite checks for newer runtime versions

Both requirements are documented in the Quick‑Start section of the README.

## Optional: Existing Chrome Profile

On first launch, ego‑lite prompts you to **migrate Chrome data** — bookmarks, cookies, and extensions. Accepting this migration allows agents to reuse your existing logins without additional authentication steps. This behavioral detail appears in [[`README.md`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/README.md)](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/README.md#install) around lines 63‑64.

## Directory Permissions for Task Spaces

The runtime creates **isolated "Task Spaces"** per agent session. Your user account must have permission to create directories under the workspace path specified by the environment variable `EGO_BROWSER_AGENT_WORKSPACE`.

This architecture is described in [[`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/AGENTS.md)](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/AGENTS.md), which covers task space isolation, drivers, and data flow. The implementation reference appears in `src/taskspace‑e2e.test.mjs`.

## What Ego‑lite Does Not Require

| Not Required | Why |
|-------------|-----|
| Separate Chrome/Chromium installation | Bundled in `ego‑lite.app` |
| Python or other runtimes | Pure Node.js + native macOS binary |
| Docker or containerization | Runs directly on macOS host |
| GUI automation frameworks (Selenium, Playwright) | Native CDP bridge handles automation |

## Quick Verification Checklist

Before installing, confirm your environment:

```bash

# Verify macOS

uname -s  # Should output 'Darwin'

# Verify Node version (must be 22+)

node --version

# Verify npm/npx availability

npm --version
npx --version

# Verify network connectivity

curl -I https://cdn.ego.app

```

## Summary

- **macOS only** — Apple Silicon or Intel required; no Windows or Linux support
- **Node 22+** — needed for the `ego‑browser` ESM skill package
- **npm/npx** — required to install and manage the skill
- **Internet access** — for downloading from `cdn.ego.app` and updates
- **Optional Chrome profile** — speeds up agent authentication via data migration
- **Write permissions** — for `EGO_BROWSER_AGENT_WORKSPACE` task space creation

Ego‑lite bundles its own browser runtime and CDP bridge, so no additional system dependencies are necessary beyond these prerequisites.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does ego‑lite work on Windows or Linux?

No. According to the `citrolabs/ego-lite` source code and README, ego‑lite currently ships only a macOS `.dmg` installer. The binary contains the embedded Chromium and CDP bridge, with no build artifacts for other platforms.

### What Node.js version is strictly required?

Node 22 or higher. The `ego‑browser` skill in `package/ego-browser/src/` uses ESM modules and modern JavaScript features that require Node 22. The skill entry point at [`src/index.ts`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/src/index.ts) and helper modules like [`src/helpers.ts`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/src/helpers.ts) assume this runtime environment.

### Can I use ego‑lite without installing Node.js?

No. While the main `ego‑lite.app` browser runtime runs independently, the **agent skill** (`ego‑browser`) is a Node package. Agents invoke it via `npx skills add citrolabs/ego-lite`, which requires both Node and npm to resolve dependencies and execute the skill code in [`src/run.ts`](https://github.com/citrolabs/ego-lite/blob/main/src/run.ts).

### Do I need Chrome already installed?

No, but it helps. Ego‑lite includes its own Chromium build. However, during first launch you can optionally migrate data from an existing Chrome profile — this lets agents access your saved logins and cookies without re‑authentication, as noted in the README installation instructions.