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

# Install Voss

> Install the Voss CLI with npm, pip, or an editable source checkout.

The recommended install path is the npm CLI package. It vendors Python 3.12 and the Voss wheel, so you do not need to manage a Python environment just to run the harness.

## Prerequisites

* Node.js 18 or newer for the npm package
* Python 3.11 or newer if you install with pip or from source
* Git
* A terminal environment where Voss can run inside a repository

## Recommended: npm

```bash theme={"theme":"github-dark"}
npm i -g @vosslang/cli
```

## Alternative: pip

If you already manage Python 3.11+ yourself:

```bash theme={"theme":"github-dark"}
pip install voss
```

Semantic memory/search dependencies are optional because they pull heavier vector-search packages:

```bash theme={"theme":"github-dark"}
pip install "voss[search]"
```

## Source checkout

Use an editable checkout for Voss development:

```bash theme={"theme":"github-dark"}
git clone https://github.com/voss-lang/voss.git
cd voss
pip install -e ".[dev]"
```

## Verify the CLI

```bash theme={"theme":"github-dark"}
voss --help
voss doctor
```

`voss doctor` checks local harness prerequisites such as config directories, provider setup, compiler availability, and tool readiness.

<Tip>
  Use `npm i -g @vosslang/cli` for normal CLI use. Use `pip install -e ".[dev]"` when you are changing Voss itself.
</Tip>

## Next steps

* Run a one-shot harness task: [First task](/get-started/first-task)
* Start a scoped edit session: [First edit](/get-started/first-edit)
* Review command reference: [CLI reference](/reference/cli)