Installation
System Requirements
- Node.js: 18.0.0 or higher
- npm: 7.0.0 or higher (comes with Node.js)
- Git: 2.0.0 or higher (recommended for versioned docs)
Check your versions:
node --version # Should be v18.0.0 or highernpm --version # Should be 7.0.0 or highergit --version # Should be 2.0.0 or higherInstallation Methods
Option 1: Install Globally with npm
Install Cortex TMS globally to use it across all projects:
npm install -g cortex-tms@2.6.0Verify installation:
cortex-tms --version# Output: 2.6.0Usage:
cd your-projectcortex-tms initPros: Use cortex-tms command anywhere, no need to prefix with npx, fastest execution (no download on each run)
Cons: Requires global install permissions, may conflict with other versions
Option 2: Run with npx (No Installation)
Use Cortex TMS without installing it globally:
npx cortex-tms@2.6.0 initVerify (will download and run):
npx cortex-tms@2.6.0 --version# Output: 2.6.0Pros: No global installation required, always run specific version, no permission issues
Cons: Slower (downloads on first run per session), must specify version each time
Tip: Create an alias for convenience:
# Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrcalias cortex="npx cortex-tms@2.6.0"
# Usage:cortex initOption 3: Install with pnpm
If you use pnpm as your package manager:
pnpm add -g cortex-tms@2.6.0Usage:
cortex-tms initPros: Faster installs with pnpm’s symlink strategy, disk space efficient, monorepo-friendly
Option 4: Install with Yarn
If you use Yarn as your package manager:
yarn global add cortex-tms@2.6.0Usage:
cortex-tms initNote: Ensure Yarn’s global bin is in your PATH:
export PATH="$(yarn global bin):$PATH"Verifying Installation
After installation, verify Cortex TMS is working:
# Check versioncortex-tms --version
# View helpcortex-tms --help
# Test initialization (in a test directory)mkdir test-project && cd test-projectcortex-tms initYou should see:
🤖 Cortex TMS - AI-Powered Project Scaffolding? Select project type: (Use arrow keys)❯ Basic - Essential docs only Full - Complete scaffolding Custom - Choose featuresTroubleshooting Installation
”Command not found: cortex-tms”
Cause: npm’s global bin directory is not in your PATH.
Solution:
-
Find npm’s global bin path:
Terminal window npm config get prefix -
Add it to your PATH (Linux/macOS):
Terminal window echo 'export PATH="$(npm config get prefix)/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrcsource ~/.bashrc -
For Windows PowerShell:
Terminal window $env:Path += ";$(npm config get prefix)"
“Permission denied” when installing globally
Cause: npm lacks permissions to install global packages.
Solution (Option 1): Use npx instead:
npx cortex-tms@2.6.0 initSolution (Option 2): Configure npm to use a user directory:
mkdir ~/.npm-globalnpm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrcsource ~/.bashrc
# Now install globallynpm install -g cortex-tms@2.6.0Version mismatch or outdated version
Cause: Cached old version or multiple installations.
Solution:
-
Uninstall all versions:
Terminal window npm uninstall -g cortex-tms -
Clear npm cache:
Terminal window npm cache clean --force -
Reinstall specific version:
Terminal window npm install -g cortex-tms@2.6.0
Windows-specific issues
Issue: Scripts disabled in PowerShell.
Solution: Enable script execution:
Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSignedUpdating Cortex TMS
To update to the latest version:
# Check current versioncortex-tms --version
# Update to latestnpm update -g cortex-tms
# Or install specific versionnpm install -g cortex-tms@2.6.0Uninstalling
To remove Cortex TMS:
npm uninstall -g cortex-tmsYour project files created by Cortex TMS (like CLAUDE.md, NEXT-TASKS.md) will remain untouched.
Next Steps
Now that Cortex TMS is installed:
- Initialize a project: Follow the Quick Start guide
- Customize templates: (Coming soon)
- Integrate with CI/CD: (Coming soon)
Getting Help
- Documentation: You’re reading it!
- GitHub Issues: Report bugs
- Discussions: Ask questions