Installation Guide

This guide walks you through installing Babysitter on your system. By the end, you will have a fully working Babysitter installation ready for your first run.

Estimated time: 5-10 minutes

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Table of Contents

• Prerequisites Check
• Installation Methods
  • Method 1: Quick Install (Recommended)
  • Method 2: Step-by-Step Install
• Platform-Specific Instructions
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Windows
• Plugin Installation
• Verification
• Keeping Updated
• Troubleshooting

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Prerequisites Check

Before installing Babysitter, let's verify your system is ready.

Required: Node.js 20.0.0+

node --version

Expected output: v20.x.x or v22.x.x

If you see a lower version or "command not found," install Node.js:

Using nvm (recommended):

# Install nvm if you don't have it
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash

# Restart your terminal, then:
nvm install 22
nvm use 22

Direct download: Visit nodejs.org and download the LTS version.

Required: Claude Code

claude --version

Expected output: Claude Code version information

If Claude Code is not installed, follow the Claude Code installation guide first.

Required: jq (JSON processor)

Many Babysitter commands output JSON that is processed with jq. Install it for your platform:

jq --version

Expected output: jq-1.6 or higher

Installation:

# macOS
brew install jq

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt-get install jq

# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install jq

# Windows (via Chocolatey)
choco install jq

# Windows (via Scoop)
scoop install jq

Verification Checkpoint

Run this command to verify all prerequisites:

echo "Node: $(node --version)" && echo "npm: $(npm --version)" && echo "Claude: $(claude --version 2>&1 | head -1)" && echo "jq: $(jq --version)"

You should see version numbers for all four tools. If not, address the missing requirement before continuing.

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Installation Methods

Method 1: Quick Install (Recommended)

Copy and paste this to install the main CLI and the Claude Code plugin:

npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter@latest && \
claude plugin marketplace add a5c-ai/babysitter-claude && \
claude plugin install --scope user babysitter@a5c.ai && \
claude plugin enable --scope user babysitter@a5c.ai

If you also want headless runtime commands such as babysitter-agent call, install the optional runtime CLI too:

npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter-agent@latest

Then restart Claude Code and skip to Verification.

Method 2: Step-by-Step Install

If you prefer to understand each step, follow along below.

Step 1: Install the Main CLI

npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter@latest

What this installs:

• @a5c-ai/babysitter - Recommended user-facing package for the babysitter CLI
• @a5c-ai/babysitter-sdk - Installed as the underlying SDK/core CLI implementation

Expected output:

added 1 packages in 15s

Verify installation:

babysitter --version

Step 2: Install the Optional Runtime CLI

Install this only if you need babysitter-agent commands for headless orchestration, the internal harness, daemon utilities, MCP serving, or the TUI:

npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter-agent@latest

Verify installation:

babysitter-agent --version

Step 3: Install the Claude Code Plugin

The plugin integrates Babysitter with Claude Code and enables the /babysitter:* slash-command surface.

# Add the plugin repository
claude plugin marketplace add a5c-ai/babysitter-claude

# Install the plugin
claude plugin install --scope user babysitter@a5c.ai

# Enable the plugin
claude plugin enable --scope user babysitter@a5c.ai

Expected output:

Plugin 'babysitter@a5c.ai' installed successfully
Plugin 'babysitter@a5c.ai' enabled

Step 4: Restart Claude Code

Important: You must restart Claude Code for the plugin to load.

• Close all Claude Code windows/sessions
• Reopen Claude Code

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Platform-Specific Instructions

macOS

Prerequisites:

# Install Homebrew if you don't have it
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Install Node.js via nvm (recommended)
brew install nvm
mkdir ~/.nvm
echo 'export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo '[ -s "/opt/homebrew/opt/nvm/nvm.sh" ] && \. "/opt/homebrew/opt/nvm/nvm.sh"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

nvm install 22
nvm use 22

Installation:

npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter@latest

Permission Issues? If you see EACCES permission errors:

# Option 1: Fix npm permissions (recommended)
mkdir ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

# Then retry installation
npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter@latest

Linux

Ubuntu/Debian:

# Install Node.js via NodeSource
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

# Verify
node --version  # Should show v22.x.x

# Install Babysitter
npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter@latest

Fedora/RHEL/CentOS:

# Install Node.js via NodeSource
curl -fsSL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo bash -
sudo yum install -y nodejs

# Install Babysitter
npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter@latest

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S nodejs npm
npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter@latest

Windows

Recommended: Use WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux)

WSL2 provides the best experience for Babysitter on Windows:

# In PowerShell (Admin)
wsl --install

# Restart your computer, then open Ubuntu from Start Menu
# Follow the Linux (Ubuntu) instructions above

Native Windows (Git Bash):

1. Install Node.js for Windows
2. Install Git for Windows (includes Git Bash)
3. Open Git Bash and run:

npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter@latest

Note: Some shell commands in Babysitter may require Git Bash or WSL. PowerShell/CMD support is limited.

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Plugin Installation

The Claude Code plugin provides the /babysitter:* command surface that orchestrates Babysitter runs.

Install the Plugin

# Step 1: Add the marketplace repository
claude plugin marketplace add a5c-ai/babysitter-claude

Expected: Marketplace 'a5c.ai' added

# Step 2: Install the plugin
claude plugin install --scope user babysitter@a5c.ai

Expected: Plugin 'babysitter@a5c.ai' installed

# Step 3: Enable the plugin
claude plugin enable --scope user babysitter@a5c.ai

Expected: Plugin 'babysitter@a5c.ai' enabled

Verify Plugin Installation

After restarting Claude Code, run:

/skills

You should see "babysit" in the list of available skills.

If you don't see it:

1. Make sure you restarted Claude Code
2. Try running claude plugin list to see installed plugins
3. Check the Troubleshooting section

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Recommended Tools

The following tools enhance your workflow when using Babysitter. These are optional but highly recommended for a more productive development experience.

Playwright Skill Plugin

Browser automation for testing and validation

The Playwright Skill Plugin enables Claude to write and execute browser automation tests, take screenshots, fill forms, and validate web applications. This is essential for testing web applications and verifying UI functionality during development.

Why use it:

• Automate browser-based testing directly through Claude
• Capture screenshots for visual validation
• Test form submissions and user interactions
• Verify web application behavior without leaving your terminal

Installation:

Run these commands in Claude Code CLI:

# Add the plugin from marketplace
/plugin marketplace add lackeyjb/playwright-skill

# Install the skill
/plugin install playwright-skill@playwright-skill

# Run setup to configure Playwright browsers
cd ~/.claude/plugins/marketplaces/playwright-skill/skills/playwright-skill && npm run setup

Note: Restart Claude Code after installation to activate the plugin.

GitHub CLI (gh)

Official GitHub command-line interface

The GitHub CLI allows Claude to seamlessly manage GitHub issues, pull requests, actions, and releases through natural language. Claude can create PRs, manage issues, check CI status, and debug GitHub Actions failures directly from the terminal.

Why use it:

• Create and manage pull requests without leaving your workflow
• Track and update issues through natural language commands
• Monitor CI/CD pipeline status and debug failures
• Manage releases and repository settings efficiently

Installation:

# macOS
brew install gh

# Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt install gh

# Linux (Fedora/RHEL)
sudo dnf install gh

# Windows
winget install GitHub.cli

Post-installation:

Authenticate with your GitHub account:

gh auth login

Follow the interactive prompts to complete authentication. This grants Claude access to manage your repositories and perform GitHub operations on your behalf.

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Verification

Let's confirm everything is working correctly.

Verification Checklist

Run each command and verify the expected result:

1. Core CLI Installed

babysitter --version

Expected: Current release version (for this repository, 5.0.0)

2. Optional Runtime CLI Installed

If you installed @a5c-ai/babysitter-agent:

babysitter-agent --version

Expected: Current release version (for this repository, 5.0.0)

3. Plugin Active

In Claude Code, type:

/skills

Expected: "babysit" appears in the list

4. Full Integration Test

In Claude Code:

claude "/babysitter:call echo hello world"

Expected: Babysitter creates a run and executes successfully

Verification Summary

Check	Command	Expected
jq	jq --version	jq-1.6 or higher
Core CLI	babysitter --version	5.0.0
Runtime CLI	babysitter-agent --version	5.0.0 if installed
Plugin	/skills in Claude Code	"babysit" listed

All checks passed? You're ready for the Quickstart!

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Keeping Updated

Babysitter is actively developed. Keep your installation current for the latest features and fixes.

Update CLI Packages

npm update -g @a5c-ai/babysitter @a5c-ai/babysitter-agent

Update Claude Code Plugin

# Update the marketplace repository
claude plugin marketplace update a5c.ai

# Update the plugin
claude plugin update babysitter@a5c.ai

Tip: Run updates regularly, ideally daily or weekly.

Check Current Versions

# Core CLI version
babysitter --version

# Runtime CLI version (if installed)
babysitter-agent --version

# Plugin version
claude plugin list | grep babysitter

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Troubleshooting

Installation Issues

"command not found: npm" or "command not found: node"

Problem: Node.js is not installed or not in your PATH.

Solution:

1. Install Node.js from nodejs.org
2. Restart your terminal
3. Verify: node --version

"EACCES: permission denied" during npm install

Problem: npm doesn't have permission to install global packages.

Solution (macOS/Linux):

# Create a directory for global packages
mkdir ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'

# Add to your shell profile (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.)
echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

# Retry installation
npm install -g @a5c-ai/babysitter@latest

"Cannot find module '@a5c-ai/babysitter-sdk'"

Problem: You are importing the SDK in code, but @a5c-ai/babysitter-sdk is not installed in that project.

Solution:

# Install the SDK as a project dependency when authoring custom processes
npm install @a5c-ai/babysitter-sdk

# Verify the main CLI separately
babysitter --version

Plugin Issues

Plugin not appearing in /skills

Problem: Plugin not installed, not enabled, or Claude Code not restarted.

Solution:

# Check if installed
claude plugin list

# If not listed, install
claude plugin marketplace add a5c-ai/babysitter-claude
claude plugin install --scope user babysitter@a5c.ai
claude plugin enable --scope user babysitter@a5c.ai

# Restart Claude Code completely

"Plugin not found: babysitter@a5c.ai"

Problem: Plugin repository not added.

Solution:

# Add the marketplace first
claude plugin marketplace add a5c-ai/babysitter-claude

# Then install
claude plugin install --scope user babysitter@a5c.ai

Runtime Issues

"Run encountered an error"

Problem: Journal conflict or corrupted state.

Solution:

# Check journal integrity
cat .a5c/runs/<runId>/journal/journal.jsonl | head

# Ask Claude to analyze
claude "Analyze the babysitter run error for <runId> and try to recover"

Getting More Help

If you're still stuck:

1. Check the logs: Look for error messages in terminal output
2. Search issues: GitHub Issues
3. Ask the community: GitHub Discussions
4. Report a bug: Create a new issue with:
   • Your OS and version
   • Node.js version
   • Claude Code version
   • Full error message
   • Steps to reproduce

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Next Steps

Congratulations! You have Babysitter installed and ready to go.

Your next step: Quickstart Tutorial - Build your first feature in 10 minutes!

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Quick Reference

Commands you'll use most often:

# Start a new babysitter run
claude "/babysitter:call <your request>"

# Resume a run
claude "/babysitter:call resume the babysitter run"

# Update everything
npm update -g @a5c-ai/babysitter @a5c-ai/babysitter-agent
claude plugin update babysitter@a5c.ai