# How to Clone the rowboatlabs/rowboat Repository: Complete Setup Guide

> Easily setup the rowboatlabs/rowboat repository. Clone the project and install dependencies to unlock the Electron app, Next.js dashboard, CLI, and Python SDK.

- Repository: [RowBoat Labs/rowboat](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-02-16

---

**Clone the rowboatlabs/rowboat repository using `git clone https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat.git`, then install dependencies with `pnpm install` to access the Electron desktop app, Next.js web dashboard, CLI tools, and Python SDK.**

The rowboatlabs/rowboat repository is a comprehensive monorepo containing the complete source code for Rowboat, an AI-powered development environment. The repository follows a **nested pnpm workspace** structure defined in [`apps/x/pnpm-workspace.yaml`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/apps/x/pnpm-workspace.yaml), organizing multiple applications and shared packages under a unified codebase. When you clone the rowboatlabs/rowboat repository, you gain immediate access to the Electron desktop application, web dashboards, Python SDK, and core knowledge-graph logic.

## Prerequisites

Before you clone the rowboatlabs/rowboat repository, ensure you have the following tools installed:

- **Git** (version 2.30 or higher)
- **Node.js** (version 18 or higher)
- **pnpm** (recommended package manager for this monorepo)
- **Python** (version 3.9 or higher, for the Python SDK)

Install pnpm globally if you haven't already:

```bash
npm install -g pnpm

```

## Clone the rowboatlabs/rowboat Repository

### Basic Clone Command

Use the standard Git clone command to download the entire repository to your local machine:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat.git
cd rowboat

```

This command creates a local copy of the monorepo, including all applications, packages, and documentation. The repository uses a nested workspace structure, meaning the root contains multiple application directories under `apps/`.

### Repository Structure Overview

After cloning, you'll see the following key directories:

- `apps/x/` - Electron desktop application and shared packages
- `apps/rowboat/` - Next.js web dashboard
- `apps/rowboatx/` - Alternative Next.js frontend
- `apps/python-sdk/` - Python SDK source code
- `apps/x/packages/core/` - Knowledge-graph core logic
- `apps/x/packages/shared/` - Shared TypeScript utilities

The workspace configuration in [`apps/x/pnpm-workspace.yaml`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/apps/x/pnpm-workspace.yaml) defines how the nested packages relate to each other within the Electron app ecosystem.

## Install Dependencies and Run Components

Each component of the rowboatlabs/rowboat repository has specific installation and startup procedures. You can install dependencies at the root level for shared packages, or navigate to individual applications for specific development.

### Electron Desktop App (apps/x)

The Electron application resides in `apps/x/` and includes the main process, preload scripts, and renderer. To run it locally:

```bash
cd apps/x
pnpm install
npm run dev

```

This command builds the shared packages, core logic, preload scripts, and launches both the main Electron process and the renderer. The entry point for the main process is located at [`apps/x/apps/main/src/main.ts`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/apps/x/apps/main/src/main.ts).

### Next.js Web Dashboard (apps/rowboat)

To start the primary web dashboard:

```bash
cd apps/rowboat
pnpm install
npm run dev

```

This starts the Next.js development server, typically accessible at `http://localhost:3000`.

### Alternative Frontend (apps/rowboatx)

For the alternative Next.js frontend:

```bash
cd apps/rowboatx
pnpm install
npm run dev

```

### Python SDK (apps/python-sdk)

The Python SDK is located in `apps/python-sdk/src/rowboat`. To use it in development mode:

```bash
cd apps/python-sdk
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: .venv\Scripts\activate

pip install -e .
python -c "import rowboat; print(rowboat.__version__)"

```

This installs the SDK in editable mode, allowing you to modify the source code while testing changes immediately.

## Key Files and Architecture

Understanding the key files in the rowboatlabs/rowboat repository helps navigate the codebase effectively:

| Purpose | File Path |
|---------|-----------|
| Repository overview and download links | [`README.md`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/README.md) |
| Workspace definition for Electron app | [`apps/x/pnpm-workspace.yaml`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/apps/x/pnpm-workspace.yaml) |
| Top-level scripts and dev commands | [`apps/x/package.json`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/apps/x/package.json) |
| Electron main process entry point | [`apps/x/apps/main/src/main.ts`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/apps/x/apps/main/src/main.ts) |
| Shared TypeScript utilities | `apps/x/packages/shared/src/` |
| Core AI/knowledge-graph logic | `apps/x/packages/core/src/` |
| React renderer configuration | [`apps/x/apps/renderer/vite.config.ts`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/apps/x/apps/renderer/vite.config.ts) |
| Python SDK package | `apps/python-sdk/` |
| CI workflow for Electron builds | [`.github/workflows/electron-build.yml`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/.github/workflows/electron-build.yml) |

The knowledge-graph core in `apps/x/packages/core` powers all AI-driven features across the applications, while the shared utilities provide common functionality for the TypeScript-based components.

## Summary

- **Clone the rowboatlabs/rowboat repository** using `git clone https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat.git` to access the complete monorepo.
- The repository uses a **nested pnpm workspace** structure with applications located in `apps/x/` (Electron), `apps/rowboat/` (Next.js dashboard), and `apps/python-sdk/` (Python SDK).
- Install dependencies using `pnpm install` at the root or within specific application directories, then use `npm run dev` to start development servers.
- Key entry points include [`apps/x/apps/main/src/main.ts`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/apps/x/apps/main/src/main.ts) for the Electron main process and `apps/python-sdk/src/rowboat` for the Python SDK.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is included in the rowboatlabs/rowboat repository?

The repository contains a complete AI-powered development environment including an **Electron desktop application**, **Next.js web dashboards** (both `apps/rowboat` and `apps/rowboatx`), a **Python SDK** (`apps/python-sdk`), and a **knowledge-graph core** (`apps/x/packages/core`). It also includes shared TypeScript utilities, documentation, and CI/CD workflows.

### Do I need pnpm to work with the rowboat repository?

While npm and yarn may work, **pnpm is strongly recommended** because the repository uses a nested pnpm workspace configuration defined in [`apps/x/pnpm-workspace.yaml`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/apps/x/pnpm-workspace.yaml). The workspace manages dependencies across the Electron app, shared packages, and renderer components. Using pnpm ensures consistent dependency resolution and proper linking of workspace packages.

### How do I run the Electron app after cloning?

Navigate to `apps/x` and run `pnpm install` followed by `npm run dev`. This command builds the shared utilities (`apps/x/packages/shared`), the knowledge-graph core (`apps/x/packages/core`), and the preload scripts, then launches the Electron main process (entry point at [`apps/x/apps/main/src/main.ts`](https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/blob/main/apps/x/apps/main/src/main.ts)) along with the React renderer. For production builds, use `npm run deps` followed by `npm run package` in the main app directory.

### Can I use the Python SDK independently of the other applications?

Yes, the **Python SDK** located in `apps/python-sdk` can be used independently. After cloning the repository, navigate to that directory and install it in editable mode using `pip install -e .`. This allows you to import and use the SDK in your own Python projects without running the Electron app or web dashboards. The SDK source code resides in `apps/python-sdk/src/rowboat`.