---
title: Install for Coding Agents
description: Detect local coding agents and editors, then install Better Fullstack MCP and skills safely in one run.
translationStatus: pending
updated: 2026-08-31
---

`install` connects Better Fullstack to the supported coding-agent CLIs and editors detected on your
machine. It installs the MCP server and the two Better Fullstack skills in one run:

```bash
npx create-better-fullstack@latest install
```

The command prompts once in an interactive terminal. It runs without prompts when stdin is not a
TTY, and `--yes`, `--json`, and `--dry-run` each skip the prompt as well.

## Detected targets

| Target      | Detection                                      | MCP setup                                                                     |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Claude Code | `claude` on `PATH`                             | `claude mcp add --scope user ...`                                             |
| Codex CLI   | `codex` on `PATH`                              | `codex mcp add ...`                                                           |
| Gemini CLI  | `gemini` on `PATH`                             | `gemini mcp add --scope user ...`                                             |
| OpenCode    | `opencode` or its global config                | Merges `better-fullstack` into `~/.config/opencode/opencode.json` under `mcp` |
| Cursor      | Cursor on `PATH`, the app, or `~/.cursor`      | Merges into `~/.cursor/mcp.json` under `mcpServers`                           |
| Windsurf    | Windsurf on `PATH`, the app, or its config dir | Merges into `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` under `mcpServers`          |
| Zed         | Zed on `PATH`, the app, or its config dir      | Merges into `settings.json` under `context_servers`                           |

Zed uses `~/.zed/settings.json` on macOS and `~/.config/zed/settings.json` on Linux. If the legacy
Linux-style path already exists on macOS, the installer preserves and updates that file.

The skills are copied, not symlinked, into both compatibility locations:

- `~/.agents/skills/better-fullstack-scaffold-project`
- `~/.agents/skills/better-fullstack-add-to-project`
- `~/.claude/skills/better-fullstack-scaffold-project`
- `~/.claude/skills/better-fullstack-add-to-project`

## Flags

| Flag             | Behavior                                                                    |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--only mcp`     | Install or uninstall only MCP connections.                                  |
| `--only skills`  | Install or uninstall only the skill folders.                                |
| `--agent <name>` | Restrict targets. Repeat for several agents.                                |
| `--dry-run`      | Print every command and file operation without writing or running commands. |
| `--json`         | Print the versioned machine-readable receipt.                               |
| `--uninstall`    | Remove only MCP entries and skill folders recorded as installer-owned.      |
| `--yes`          | Skip the interactive confirmation.                                          |

Agent names are `claude`, `codex`, `gemini`, `opencode`, `cursor`, `windsurf`, and `zed`.
`claude-code` and `gemini-cli` are accepted aliases.

```bash
# Preview only Cursor and Codex
npx create-better-fullstack@latest install --agent cursor --agent codex --dry-run

# Install skills without touching MCP configuration
npx create-better-fullstack@latest install --only skills --agent codex --yes

# Remove only setup previously owned by this command
npx create-better-fullstack@latest install --uninstall
```

## Safety and receipts

Existing JSON is parsed strictly before any change. Invalid JSON, a conflicting
`better-fullstack` entry, or a modified installer-owned skill folder is reported and left
untouched. Before an existing config changes, the command writes a timestamped backup beside it.
Localized JSON edits keep unrelated keys in their existing order and preserve their source bytes
where possible.

The ownership receipt lives at `~/.config/better-fullstack/install-state.json`. It records target
ownership and content hashes, not config contents or secrets. It is what lets `--uninstall` leave
matching setup that existed before `bfs install` alone. Paths and config contents are never sent in
telemetry.

Human output contains one line per target followed by a `Try:` prompt. `--json` returns the same
result as a versioned object with selection, target operations, and summary fields. A partial
success exits zero; the command exits non-zero only when every requested target fails.

## Manual fallback

If a target cannot run this installer, use the per-client commands and config examples in
[MCP Server](/docs/ai/mcp/#manual-setup). The two installed skills also include a CLI-only workflow
for agents that cannot reach the MCP server.