Install your framework

Set up your AI coding framework first, then add RStack to it.

RStack is a plugin, not a standalone app — it runs inside an AI coding framework. This page gets you from nothing to a framework with RStack installed, whichever tool you use. Every path ends the same way:

cd your-project
npm install rstack-agents
npx rstack-agents init        # auto-detects your framework

Prerequisite for all frameworks: Node.js 18 or newer (node --version). RStack and its dashboard run on Node.

How well does each framework integrate?

Framework	Integration	What you get
Pi	🟢 Native adapter	All 15 sdlc_* tools, lifecycle hooks, gating, auto-launch dashboard
Claude Code	🟢 First-class	init writes a usage guide + a SessionStart hook; plugin commands
Operator	🟢 First-class	Python adapter bridges to the same harness; auto-launch dashboard
Codex CLI	🟡 Asset-based	RStack agents/skills as context via AGENTS.md; no native tool gating
Gemini CLI	🟡 Asset-based	RStack agents/skills as context via GEMINI.md; no native tool gating
Any other harness	🟡 Universal	The .rstack/ state contract + a Node bridge any tool can call

🟢 = full governed harness. 🟡 = RStack guides the agent via shared context; the dashboard, state, and CLI still work, but tool-level gating depends on the host.

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Pi

Pi is RStack’s native home — the deepest integration.

1. Install Pi

   Follow the Pi install guide for your platform, then confirm:

   pi --version
   
2. Add RStack to your project

   cd your-project
   npm install rstack-agents
   npx rstack-agents init --framework pi
   

   Pi auto-loads the RStack extension from the package — no manual wiring.

3. Start a run in your next Pi session

   sdlc_start(goal="...")
   

Details: Pi adapter.

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Claude Code

1. Install Claude Code

   Install the Claude Code CLI or IDE extension, then confirm with claude --version.

2. Add RStack + init

   cd your-project
   npm install rstack-agents
   npx rstack-agents init --framework claude-code
   

   This writes .claude/rstack-sdlc.md (a usage guide) and a SessionStart hook so the Business Hub opens every session. If you already have a .claude/settings.json, RStack leaves a mergeable snippet instead of overwriting it.

3. Install the plugin (optional, adds slash commands)

   /plugin install sdlc-automation
   

   Then drive the pipeline with /sdlc-start, /sdlc-status, /sdlc-resume.

Details: Claude Code adapter.

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Operator

1. Install Operator + Node

   Operator is a Python harness. RStack’s Operator adapter shells out to a Node bridge, so you need node and npx on PATH.

2. Add RStack + init

   cd your-project
   npm install rstack-agents
   npx rstack-agents init --framework operator
   

   init writes rstack-operator.example.json.

3. Wire the adapter into Operator settings

   Merge the extensions.list entry from rstack-operator.example.json into your Operator settings.json. The Business Hub auto-launches when the extension loads.

Details: Operator adapter.

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Codex CLI

Codex integrates through shared context files (no native tool binding yet).

1. Install the Codex CLI

   Install per its docs and confirm it runs in your project.

2. Add RStack and bring in the assets

   cd your-project
   npm install rstack-agents
   npx rstack-agents init --framework custom
   

   Then point Codex at the RStack agents via AGENTS.md. See the Codex adapter for the exact AGENTS.md block.

3. Use the dashboard + CLI

   The Business Hub (npx rstack-agents hub) and .rstack/ state work the same as any framework.

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Gemini CLI

Same asset-based pattern as Codex, via GEMINI.md.

1. Install the Gemini CLI

   Install per its docs.

2. Add RStack + init (custom)

   cd your-project
   npm install rstack-agents
   npx rstack-agents init --framework custom
   

   Add the RStack instructions to GEMINI.md — see the Gemini adapter.

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Any other framework

If your harness can read a project directory, it can use RStack. Install with --framework custom, then either feed it the RStack agent context or have it call the Node bridge per tool. Full contract: Universal / custom adapter.

Whatever framework you chose, your next stop is the same: Your first run.