> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.opengsd.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> Choose global or project-local skills and install the project contracts your pipeline needs.

GSD Path has two install layers: host skills and project contracts. Skills
provide the router and phase commands. Project contracts add `AGENTS.md`,
`WORKFLOW.md`, and the `.gsd-path/` status runtime to the target repository.
Selecting Claude Code also installs `.claude/CLAUDE.md`.

## Prerequisites

* Node.js 18.17 or newer for the installer.
* Python 3.9 or newer for project installs.
* Git for branch binding, task isolation, and shipment.
* A host from the [supported host table](/path/reference/hosts).

The examples use a [clone of GSD Path](/path/quickstart). Commands with
`scripts/install.mjs` run from that clone unless the example uses an absolute path.

## Choose where skills live

| Scope          | Use when                         | Command from the GSD Path clone              |
| -------------- | -------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| Global         | You use Path across repositories | `node scripts/install.mjs --codex`           |
| Selected hosts | You use more than one agent      | `node scripts/install.mjs --claude --cursor` |
| All hosts      | You need every supported adapter | `node scripts/install.mjs --all`             |

Add `--dry-run` first to preview the selected targets without writing files.
With no flags in an interactive terminal, `node scripts/install.mjs` opens the
installation wizard.

For project-local skills, run the installer by absolute path from the target
repository. Replace both paths:

```bash theme={null}
cd /absolute/path/to/your-project
node /absolute/path/to/gsd-path/scripts/install.mjs --codex --local --dry-run
node /absolute/path/to/gsd-path/scripts/install.mjs --codex --local
```

## Add project contracts

From the GSD Path clone:

```bash theme={null}
node scripts/install.mjs --codex --project /absolute/path/to/your-project --dry-run
node scripts/install.mjs --codex --project /absolute/path/to/your-project
```

An initial install refuses existing managed contracts. Use
[the update flow](/path/updating) to keep those contracts and refresh managed skills
and runtime files. Merge contract changes by hand.

For optional archive and Git protection, see [guard hooks](/path/guard-hooks).

## Check the installation

```bash theme={null}
node scripts/install.mjs --doctor --project /absolute/path/to/your-project
```

Doctor is a read-only check of skills, hooks, and pipeline state. Restart your
agent after installing or updating, then [invoke the router](/path/quickstart).

## Other entry points

The package declares the `gsd-path` npm command. If your chosen release is
available on npm, you can use `npx gsd-path --all --dry-run` and
`npx gsd-path --all` without a clone. The clone instructions above do not depend
on npm publication.

The Python installer, `scripts/install.py`, also supports global, local, and
update installs. The Node CLI owns the interactive wizard.