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Prerequisites

Node.js

Version 16.0.0 or higher

npm

Version 7.0.0 or higher

Installation Methods

Install Lua CLI globally to use it from anywhere:
npm install -g lua-cli
Verify installation:
lua --version

Using Package Runners (No Installation)

Run Lua CLI without installing:
npx lua-cli [command]
Package runners are great for trying out Lua CLI, but global installation is recommended for regular use.

Authentication

After installation, set up your credentials:
lua auth configure

Authentication Methods

Where Credentials are Stored

Credentials are stored securely in your system keychain:
  • macOS: Keychain
  • Windows: Credential Vault
  • Linux: libsecret
Never commit your API key to version control or share it publicly.

Verify Installation

Check that everything is working:
# Check CLI version
lua --version

# View stored API key
lua auth key

# Get help
lua --help

Development Tools

While not required, these tools enhance the development experience:

VS Code

Recommended editor with TypeScript support

Git

Version control for your skills

TypeScript Setup

The template project includes TypeScript configuration. No additional setup needed! When you run lua init, you get:
  • tsconfig.json - TypeScript configuration
  • package.json - Dependencies
  • Full type definitions for all Lua APIs

Troubleshooting

Problem: The CLI isn’t in your PATHSolutions:
  • Reinstall globally: npm install -g lua-cli
  • Use npx instead: npx lua-cli [command]
  • Check npm global path: npm config get prefix
Problem: Need sudo for global installationSolution on Unix:
sudo npm install -g lua-cli
Better solution: Configure npm to install globally without sudo:
mkdir ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH
Problem: Authentication not configuredSolution:
lua auth configure
Problem: Node.js version is below 16.0.0Solution: Update Node.js

Next Steps

1

Create Your First Project

mkdir my-skill && cd my-skill
lua init
2

Explore the Template

Learn about the example tools and skills included

Template Guide

3

Start Building

Begin customizing tools for your use case

Building Skills