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Installation & Setup

Get Forge running on your system in under 5 minutes. This guide covers installation, authentication setup, and project initialization.

Install and authenticate​

1

Install Forge

Install Node.js 16+, then run:

npm install -g forgecode@latest
⚠️

Do not use sudo npm install -g as this can lead to permission issues and security risks. If you encounter permission errors, see our

Node.js & npm Troubleshooting

guide for safe solutions including npm directory configuration and Node.js version managers like nvm.

2

Navigate to your project

cd your-project-directory
3

Start Forge

forge
4

Complete authentication

Forge offers multiple authentication options:

  1. Forge Provider: The default option. Connect through the Forge app and complete the OAuth process. This will open your browser to app.forgecode.dev where you can sign up or sign in with Google/GitHub.

  2. Other AI Providers: Configure Forge to use OpenAI, Anthropic, or other providers with your own API keys for custom setups.

To logout when needed you can run:

/logout

inside the forge session

Initialize your project​

For first-time users, we recommend:

1

Start Forge

cd /path/to/your/project
forge

Why this matters:

Running Forge from the project root allows it to analyze your project and dependencies, access Git history and branch information, understand your project's file structure, and provide more accurate code suggestions.

BYOK (Bring Your Own Key)​

After installing Forge, you can configure additional AI providers beyond the default. Follow the Provider Configuration guide to set up alternative providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, or OpenRouter.

Next Steps​

Quick Start TutorialComplete your first task with Forge in under 10 minutes.
Essential CommandsLearn the core commands for productive development workflows.
Provider ConfigurationConfigure additional AI providers and customize your setup.

System Requirements​

Before installing Forge, ensure your system meets these requirements:

Operating Systems​

  • macOS: 10.14 (Mojave) or later
  • Linux: Ubuntu 18.04+, CentOS 7+, or equivalent distributions
  • Windows: Windows 10 or later

Dependencies​

  • Node.js: Version 16.0 or later
  • npm: Version 7.0 or later (comes with Node.js)
  • Git: For version control integration
  • Terminal: Any terminal application

Hardware​

  • RAM: Minimum 4GB, 8GB+ recommended
  • Storage: 100MB for installation, additional space for project files
  • Network: Internet connection for AI model access