---
title: "Installation & Setup"
description: >-
  Quick start guide for installing claude-code-tools
  and the aichat-search engine.
---

import { Steps } from "@astrojs/starlight/components";

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## Prerequisites

- **Python 3.11+**
- **Node.js 16+** (required for action menus)

## Installation

<Steps>

1. **Install the Python package**

   This includes all CLI commands and pre-installed
   Node.js dependencies -- no `npm install` needed.

   ```bash
   uv tool install claude-code-tools
   ```

   To include the optional **Google Docs** and
   **Google Sheets** integrations:

   ```bash
   uv tool install "claude-code-tools[gdocs]"
   ```

   To **upgrade** an existing installation, add
   `--force`:

   ```bash
   uv tool install --force claude-code-tools
   # or with the gdocs extra:
   uv tool install --force "claude-code-tools[gdocs]"
   ```

2. **Install the Rust-based search engine**

   `aichat-search` powers both the human TUI and
   agent search. Choose **one** method:

   - **Homebrew** (macOS / Linux):
     `brew install pchalasani/tap/aichat-search`
   - **Cargo** (compiles from source, ~5 min):
     `cargo install aichat-search`
   - **Pre-built binary**: download from
     [Releases](https://github.com/pchalasani/claude-code-tools/releases)
     (look for `rust-v*` releases)

   :::note
   Without `aichat-search`, search will not work,
   but other `aichat` commands (resume, trim,
   rollover, etc.) still function normally.
   :::

3. **Install the associated Claude Code plugins**

   The tools above come with companion plugins that
   add hooks, skills, agents, and slash commands to
   Claude Code. These extend the CLI tools with
   in-session capabilities like `>resume` triggers,
   session search, safety guards, and more.

   See the **[Plugins](../plugins/)** page for
   installation instructions.

</Steps>

## What You Get

Five commands are installed by default:

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| [`aichat`](/claude-code-tools/tools/aichat/) | Session continuation without compaction, full-text search (for humans and agents) |
| [`tmux-cli`](/claude-code-tools/tools/tmux-cli/) | Terminal automation ("Playwright for terminals") |
| [`fix-session`](/claude-code-tools/tools/fix-session/) | Repair broken conversation chains |
| [`vault`](/claude-code-tools/tools/vault/) | Encrypted `.env` backup and sync |
| [`env-safe`](/claude-code-tools/tools/env-safe/) | Safe `.env` inspection |

With the `[gdocs]` extra, you also get:

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| [`md2gdoc`](/claude-code-tools/integrations/google-docs/) | Convert Markdown to a Google Doc |
| [`gdoc2md`](/claude-code-tools/integrations/google-docs/) | Convert a Google Doc to Markdown |
| [`csv2gsheet`](/claude-code-tools/integrations/google-sheets/) | Upload CSV to a Google Sheet |
| [`gsheet2csv`](/claude-code-tools/integrations/google-sheets/) | Download a Google Sheet as CSV |

## Next Steps

- **[Plugins](/claude-code-tools/getting-started/plugins/)**
  -- install Claude Code hooks, skills, and agents.
- **[aichat overview](/claude-code-tools/tools/aichat/)**
  -- learn about session search and resume.
- **[Safety Hooks](/claude-code-tools/plugins-detail/safety-hooks/)**
  -- protect against destructive operations.
