install-mac - SKILL.md Agent Skill

name: install-mac description: Set up a Mac to run the project. Installs Node.js if needed and runs npm install.

$install-mac — set up your mac

how to talk during install

do not narrate technical steps. the user doesn't need to know what you're checking or installing behind the scenes. keep all checks, downloads, and installs silent unless you need the user to do something.

only talk to the user at these moments:

start: "setting things up — give me a sec"
installer pops up: tell them what to click (see step 3)
done: "you're all set! let me know what you want to make and i'll start building it for you!"
something went wrong: explain simply, no technical terms

never mention node_modules, node -v, version numbers, npm, curl, or any technical terms in messages to the user.

step 1: check if already installed

silently check if node_modules/ exists in the project root. if it does, tell the user:

you're already set up! let me know what you want to make and i'll start building it for you!

stop here. don't continue.

step 2: check for node.js

tell the user:

setting things up — give me a sec.

silently run node -v to check if Node.js is installed.

if it returns a version 20 or higher — skip to step 4.
if it's missing or too old — continue to step 3.

step 3: install node.js

look up the latest LTS version from nodejs.org:

curl -fsSL https://nodejs.org/dist/index.json | python3 -c "import json,sys; print(next(r['version'] for r in json.load(sys.stdin) if r.get('lts')))"

the .pkg installer is universal (works on both Apple Silicon and Intel). download it:

curl -fSL -o /tmp/node-installer.pkg "https://nodejs.org/dist/{VERSION}/node-{VERSION}.pkg"

launch the installer:

open /tmp/node-installer.pkg

tell the user:

an installer just popped up — click Continue, then Install, and enter your password when it asks. come back here and tell me when it's done.

wait for the user to confirm before continuing. do not proceed until they say it's done.

silently verify node is available:

node -v

if node is not found, tell them:

hmm, let's try a quick fix — close Codex completely and reopen it, then type $install-mac again.

stop here if node isn't found. don't continue.

silently clean up:

rm /tmp/node-installer.pkg

step 4: install dependencies

silently run:

npm install

this takes a minute or two. don't say anything unless it fails.

step 5: done

tell the user:

you're all set! let me know what you want to make and i'll start building it for you!

rules

keep technical stuff invisible — the user should only see friendly, simple messages
never show raw terminal output, error logs, file paths, or command names
if something fails, explain what happened in one simple sentence and what to do next
never mention Node.js, npm, node_modules, or version numbers unless the user asks
keep messages short and friendly