Dex

All Platforms: "Could not install Python dependencies"

The installer tries two methods automatically. If both fail, your pip version might be too old.

Mac — reinstall into Dex's virtual environment:

python3 -m venv .venv
.venv/bin/pip install --upgrade pip
.venv/bin/pip install --require-hashes -r core/mcp/requirements.hash.txt

Windows — Git Bash, in your Dex folder:

python -m venv .venv
.venv/Scripts/pip install --upgrade pip
.venv/Scripts/pip install --require-hashes -r core/mcp/requirements.hash.txt

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Quick install (Claude Code or Cursor)

Mac — Terminal:

curl -fsSL https://heydex.ai/install.sh | bash

Windows — Git Bash:

git clone --branch release --single-branch https://github.com/davekilleen/dex.git Dex
cd Dex
bash ./install.sh

Clone the official release, review install.sh, then run it from Git Bash in that folder. Git Bash comes with Git for Windows. Do not pipe a remote script into iex.

Then open the Dex folder in Claude Code or Cursor and say "hi". Dex guides you through your role and priorities. Installation help. If setup stops, keep the error message and use the help below; some prerequisites may already have been installed.

Manual setup for Cursor

Prefer to see every step, or the quick install hit a snag? This section does the same thing by hand.

What You'll Need to Install (One-Time)

1. Cursor - Download and install; check current account and usage requirements 2. Git - Required for this manual repository setup - Mac: Installs automatically when needed (you'll see a prompt) - Windows: Download from git-scm.com/download/win 3. Node.js - Download the "LTS" version and install (this enables the system's automation features) 4. Python 3.11+ - Download and install (required for MCP servers and task sync) - Minimum version: Python 3.11 or newer - Windows users: ⚠️ During installation, check the box "Add Python to PATH" - this is critical - Mac users with old Python: If you have Python 3.9 or older, download fresh from python.org

All installers walk you through setup with default options.

Why Python 3.11+? The listed Python packages Dex installs need Python 3.11 or newer. This powers the Work MCP server that enables task sync - task updates through its tools can synchronize related pages. Manual checkbox edits need the separately configured sync service.

Mac users: If this is your first time using command-line tools, macOS will prompt you to install "Command Line Developer Tools" during setup. Click Install when prompted - it's safe and required. Takes 2-3 minutes.

Check Your Setup (Optional)

Want to verify everything's ready? Open your command line: - Mac: Press Cmd+Space, type "Terminal", press Enter - Windows: Open Git Bash (it comes with Git for Windows). Press Win, type "Git Bash", press Enter

Copy and paste this line exactly as you see it, then press Enter:

git --version

You should see a response like: git version 2.x.x (any version number is fine)

If you see "command not found": Download Git from git-scm.com, install it, then close and reopen your command line and try again.

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Now copy and paste this line, then press Enter:

node --version

You should see a response like: v18.x.x or v20.x.x (must be version 18 or higher)

If you see "command not found": Download Node.js from nodejs.org, install it, then close and reopen your command line and try again.

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Finally, check Python:

python3 --version

Windows users: Try python --version if python3 doesn't work.

You should see a response like: Python 3.11.x or higher (3.12, 3.13, etc.)

If you see Python 3.10 or older: Dex setup needs Python 3.11+. Download and install a newer version: - Mac/Windows: Download from python.org (get the latest stable version) - After installing, restart your terminal and check the version again

If you see "command not found": - Windows: Python likely isn't in your PATH. Reinstall from python.org and check "Add Python to PATH" during installation. Restart your terminal after. - Mac: Download Python from python.org, install it, then restart your terminal.

Why Python 3.11+ matters: It powers the MCP servers that sync tasks everywhere. Check off a task in a meeting note → it updates in your Tasks.md, person pages, and project files automatically. Python 3.10 and older won't work - you need 3.11 or newer.

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That's the technical heavy lifting done. If you got through that, the rest is straightforward - just clicking buttons and answering questions.

Step 2: Run the Installer

The repository installer is a Bash script. Run it from the Dex folder you opened in Step 1.

• Mac: Open Cursor's View → Terminal in that folder.
• Windows: Use Git Bash, supplied by Git for Windows, in that folder. Select the Git Bash terminal profile in Cursor, or open Git Bash separately and navigate to the folder. See Quick install.

In Git Bash:

bash ./install.sh

What's happening: This installs the automation that makes Dex work (task sync, career tracking, meeting intelligence). Takes 1-2 minutes. You'll see text scrolling - that's normal.

When it's done: You'll see your cursor blinking again, ready for the next command.

Your system Python stays clean: The installer creates a project-local virtual environment (.venv) inside your vault and installs all Python dependencies there — your system, Homebrew, or pyenv Python is never modified. No global installs, and no pipx needed.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: You're not done yet. Complete Step 3 below to finish setup.

Verify MCP servers: Cursor should automatically detect .mcp.json and enable the MCP servers. Look for the MCP icon in Cursor's bottom panel - you should see server names with green checkmarks.

If you see errors: The most common issue is Python dependencies not landing in Dex's virtual environment. Use the commands for your operating system under Python dependency troubleshooting. On Mac, those commands are:

python3 -m venv .venv
.venv/bin/pip install --upgrade pip
.venv/bin/pip install --require-hashes -r core/mcp/requirements.hash.txt

Then restart Cursor.

<details> <summary><strong>Use Google Calendar? Connect it so Dex shows your meetings (Mac)</strong></summary>

If you use Google Calendar, you can have Dex show your real meetings when you run /daily-plan or ask "what's on my calendar today?" Two steps, one-time setup (Mac only):

Step 1 — Add Google to your Mac's Calendar app Open the Calendar app (the one that came with your Mac). In the menu bar, click Calendar → Add Account… → choose Google → sign in with your Google account. Your Google events will sync into Calendar. Dex reads from this app, so once Google is here, Dex sees your meetings.

Step 2 — Let Cursor use your calendar Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Calendars. Turn Cursor on, then click Cursor and choose Full access (not "Add Only") so Dex can read your events. If macOS pops up asking "Cursor would like to access your calendars", click Allow.

That's it. The installer already set up the rest on Mac. Your meetings—including recurring ones like weekly 1:1s—will show on the correct days in Dex.

More detail and troubleshooting: Calendar_Setup.md (in your vault after setup). On Windows? Calendar connection is Mac-only (Apple Calendar). Windows calendar support is not planned in this release; Dex will say so rather than pretend it checked.

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⚠️ IMPORTANT: Complete Step 3 now to configure your role - this is what makes Dex work.

<details> <summary><strong>Troubleshooting: Common Setup Issues</strong></summary>

Windows (Git Bash): "python is not recognized" or "pip is not recognized"

This means Python wasn't added to your PATH during installation.

Fix:

1. Uninstall Python (Control Panel → Programs)
2. Download fresh installer from python.org
3. Run installer
4. ⚠️ CHECK THE BOX: "Add Python to PATH" (on first screen)
5. Complete installation
6. Restart your terminal completely (close and reopen)
7. Return to Git Bash in your Dex folder and run bash ./install.sh again

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Something else seems broken after setup?

Once Dex is running, ask it to run /dex-doctor — a whole-system checkup that tells you honestly what's working, what's switched off and what's broken, repairs what it can on its own, and guides you through the rest.

And if the problem turns out to be a bug in Dex itself, you don't need a command or the right words: just describe what happened ("the meeting sync is doing something weird"). Dex investigates on your machine, writes the bug report for you, and by default waits for your yes before anything leaves — never anything from your notes, meetings or conversations. It tells you when the fix ships. Details: what a report can contain · the checkup

</details>

Guides

• System guide: planning, meetings, people, tasks and reviews.
• Why the workflows exist.
• Background work, memory ownership and Obsidian.
• Technical guide, architecture map and release history.