Installation
devcoach runs locally — a stdio MCP server that stores everything in ~/.devcoach/coaching.db on the
machine where your agent runs. It works in Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Gemini CLI (beta),
Codex CLI (beta), and any other MCP client — including registry-aware ones, via the
MCP Registry — but not on claude.ai web (which only supports
hosted/remote connectors — see Privacy & security); there you can paste the
skill by hand. Requires Node.js ≥ 24 (Windows is untested).
Which method is right for you?
devcoach works the same whichever way you install it — pick by how you like to work:
- Developer, comfortable in a terminal → Homebrew (macOS / Linux). One
brew installsets up devcoach and thedevcoachCLI, so you also get the command line and can launch the dashboard with a baredevcoach ui. (On Windows, or if you prefer npm, npx / npm is the equivalent.) Mind one thing:brew upgradeupdates only the binary — you re-rundevcoach installto refresh the hooks and the skill. In Claude Code the best of both is plugin + Homebrew: the plugin keeps the coaching wiring current automatically, Homebrew adds the CLI. - Prefer the simplest, no-terminal setup → the Claude Code plugin
(one-click from the marketplace) or, on Claude Desktop, the
.mcpbextension (Beta). Nothing to configure — install and go. (These don't add thedevcoachCLI — open the dashboard with/devcoach:uior by asking Claude; run CLI commands withnpx -y devcoach …if you ever need them. For the most stable experience, use Homebrew or npm.)
All methods
| Method | Best for | Terminal? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homebrew | Developers on macOS / Linux who use the CLI | Yes | Stable |
| Claude Code plugin | Non-expert Claude Code users — one-click setup | No | Stable |
Claude Desktop (.mcpb) | Non-expert Claude Desktop users — one-click setup | No | Beta |
| Gemini CLI | Google Gemini CLI — full loop (hooks + skill) | Yes | Beta |
| Codex CLI | OpenAI Codex CLI — full loop (hooks + skill) | Yes | Beta |
| npx / npm CLI | Any MCP agent · Windows · npm workflows | Yes | Stable |
| Other MCP agents | Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, Continue, Zed | Yes | Beta |
| MCP Registry | Any registry-aware client — io.github.UltimaPhoenix/devcoach | Depends on the client | Beta |
| claude.ai web | claude.ai (manual skill paste, no MCP) | — | Skill only |
Each page below is self-contained: it covers install and connect.
→ Next: once installed, head to Coaching in your agent for onboarding and your first lesson.