Installation & Setup

Prerequisites

Python 3.11+
Node.js 18+ (required for action menus; 22.20+ to install skills with npx skills add)

Installation

Install the Python package

This includes all CLI commands and pre-installed Node.js dependencies — no npm install needed.
Terminal window
```
uv tool install claude-code-tools
```
To include the optional Google Docs and Google Sheets integrations:
Terminal window
```
uv tool install "claude-code-tools[gdocs]"
```
To upgrade an existing installation, add --force:
Terminal window
```
uv tool install --force claude-code-tools
# or with the gdocs extra:
uv tool install --force "claude-code-tools[gdocs]"
```
Install the Rust-based search engine

aichat-search powers both the human TUI and agent search. Choose one method:
- Homebrew (macOS / Linux): brew install pchalasani/tap/aichat-search
- Cargo (compiles from source, ~5 min): cargo install aichat-search
- Pre-built binary: download from Releases (look for rust-v* releases)
Without aichat-search, search will not work, but other aichat commands (resume, trim, rollover, etc.) still function normally.
Install skills and plugins

The skills in this repo install with one command (-s picks one skill, -g installs for every project; it needs Node.js 22.20 or newer, newer than the Node 18 the tools above need). Most work in any agent; a few are Claude Code and Codex only, as the Plugins page notes:
Terminal window
```
npx skills add pchalasani/claude-code-tools
```
Plugins that also carry hooks or agents (>resume triggers, safety guards, the session-searcher agent, …) use the agent’s plugin marketplace; see the Plugins page.

What You Get

Core commands include:

Command	Description
`aichat`	Session continuation without compaction, full-text search (for humans and agents)
`tmux-cli`	Terminal automation (“Playwright for terminals”)
`agent-tunnel`	Share a live Claude Code session with teammates over Discord or Mattermost (`>share`)
`github-wake`	Wake the current session when an existing GitHub issue gets a reply
`codex-dynamic`	Launch Codex with workflow callbacks
`codex-server`	Manage the shared Codex app server
`fix-session`	Repair broken conversation chains
`vault`	Encrypted `.env` backup and sync
`env-safe`	Safe `.env` inspection

With the [gdocs] extra, you also get:

Command	Description
`md2gdoc`	Convert Markdown to a Google Doc
`gdoc2md`	Convert a Google Doc to Markdown
`csv2gsheet`	Upload CSV to a Google Sheet
`gsheet2csv`	Download a Google Sheet as CSV

Next Steps

Plugins — install Claude Code hooks, skills, and agents.
aichat overview — learn about session search and resume.
Safety Hooks — protect against destructive operations.