Source: https://spec-kitty.ai/getting-started

# Get started: paste one prompt into your coding agent

> Paste one prompt into Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Copilot or 20+ other coding agents and it installs the free, MIT Spec Kitty CLI on your own model keys. Or install it yourself with pipx.

Status: Free, MIT

## Paste this into your coding agent

Your agent installs the free Spec Kitty CLI, adds the /spec-kitty commands to itself and suggests a first backlog item.

Prompt for your coding agent

```
Install Spec Kitty in this repository. Follow https://spec-kitty.ai/getting-started.md: check that Python 3.11+, pipx and git are available, install the CLI with pipx, then run spec-kitty init here with the --ai key for the coding agent you are. Then tell me which /spec-kitty commands I now have, whether I need to restart you to use them, and suggest one item from my backlog to start with /spec-kitty.specify.
```

**Works with** Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode and 20+ more.

## How it works

1.  **Paste the prompt**

    Open your agent in the repository you want to work on.

2.  **Your agent sets itself up**

    It installs the CLI and adds the /spec-kitty commands to itself. Nothing hosted, your own model keys.

3.  **Pick a real backlog item**

    Run `/spec-kitty.specify` on it. The agent asks first, then guides you.


## What to try first

-   A real ticket from your backlog, via `/spec-kitty.specify`.
-   A small refactor you keep putting off.
-   Documentation for an existing module only one person understands.

## Or install it yourself

You need Python 3.11 or newer with pipx, git, and a coding agent signed in with your own model account.

```
pipx install spec-kitty-cli
spec-kitty init my-project --ai claude
cd my-project
```

Already have a repository? Run `spec-kitty init --ai claude` inside it. Swap `claude` for your agent's key below; for several at once, use `--ai claude,codex`.

### Start your agent in the project folder

**Claude Code `--ai claude`**

```
claude
```

**Gemini CLI `--ai gemini`**

```
gemini
```

**Cursor `--ai cursor`**

```
cursor-agent
```

**OpenCode `--ai opencode`**

```
opencode
```

**Codex CLI `--ai codex`**

```
export CODEX_HOME="$(pwd)/.codex"
codex
```

**GitHub Copilot (VS Code) `--ai copilot`**

```
code .
# then run the commands in Copilot Chat
```

Then run `/spec-kitty.specify` on a real backlog item.

To add another agent later, run `spec-kitty agent config add <key>`. Re-running init does not add agents.

## If you are an agent installing Spec Kitty

Checked against spec-kitty-cli 3.2.7.

-   Needs Python 3.11+, pipx and git. Install with `pipx install spec-kitty-cli`.
-   Run `spec-kitty init --ai <key>` in the repository. With no project name, it initialises the current directory.
-   With no TTY, init is non-interactive (as with `--non-interactive`, `--yes` or `SPEC_KITTY_NON_INTERACTIVE=1`) and requires `--ai`; without it, init stops with "--ai is required in non-interactive mode".
-   Valid `--ai` keys: `codex`, `claude`, `gemini`, `cursor`, `qwen`, `opencode`, `windsurf`, `kilocode`, `auggie`, `copilot`, `q`, `kiro`, `antigravity`, `vibe`, `pi`, `letta`. Several: comma-separated, no spaces (`--ai claude,codex`).
-   Init creates `.kittify/` plus your command or skill files, for example `.claude/` for `claude` and `.agents/skills/` for `codex`. It never touches git and makes no commits. Re-running it is safe; it says "Already initialized".
-   Re-running init does not add agents. Add one later with `spec-kitty agent config add <keys>`.
-   Commands after install: `/spec-kitty.specify`, `/spec-kitty.plan`, `/spec-kitty.tasks`, `/spec-kitty.implement`, `/spec-kitty.review`, `/spec-kitty.accept`, `/spec-kitty.merge`, plus `/spec-kitty.charter`.
-   Codex needs `CODEX_HOME="$(pwd)/.codex"` set when it starts.

[Supported agents](https://docs.spec-kitty.ai/reference/supported-agents.html) · [Command reference](https://docs.spec-kitty.ai/reference/slash-commands.html) · [View on GitHub](https://github.com/spec-kitty/spec-kitty) · [Book a demo](https://spec-kitty.ai/contact?topic=demo)