# Installation

> Learn how to install GenAIScript as a Visual Studio Code extension or use it via command line for seamless integration into your development workflow.

GenAIScript is available as a [command line](#command-line) or a [Visual Studio Code Extension](#visual-studio-code-extension).

## Node.JS

[Section titled “Node.JS”](#nodejs)

GenAIScript requires [Node.JS](https://nodejs.org/) to run. We recommend installing the LTS version using a [node version manager](https://docs.npmjs.com/downloading-and-installing-node-js-and-npm).

1. Install Node.JS (node) [with a package manager](https://nodejs.org/en/download/package-manager). **You need at least Node.JS v22.**

2. Check your installation

   ```sh
   node -v
   npx -v
   ```

   You should see something similar or higher than the following versions:

   ```text
   v22.16.0
   10.5.0
   ```

## Visual Studio Code Extension[]()

[Section titled “Visual Studio Code Extension ”](#visual-studio-code-extension)

The [Visual Studio Code Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=genaiscript.genaiscript-vscode) contains the latest stable release of the [extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=genaiscript.genaiscript-vscode).

1. Install [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/Download).

   Visual Studio Code is a lightweight but powerful source code editor which runs on your desktop and is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.

2. Open your project folder in Visual Studio Code.

3. Click on the **Extensions** view

   ![Icon representing the GenAIScript view in Visual Studio Code,&#x20;
   located in the activity bar on the left side of the screen.
   ](/genaiscript/_astro/vscode-extensions-view.wo0K8NqW_ZJhyag.webp)

4. Search **genaiscript** and click **Install**.

   ![Visual Studio Code Marketplace listing for 'GenAIScript' extension by Microsoft, featuring a logo with 'gen AI' in yellow on a black background, followed by the text 'GenAIScript Generative AI Scripting.' with a settings gear icon to the right.
   ](/genaiscript/_astro/vscode-marketplace.BBCYdcVx_Z1Ts97f.webp)

5. If successful, you will see the icon in the **Extensions** view.

   ![Icon for genAI script view in Visual Studio Code, featuring the text 'gen AI' in white on a dark background with a red outline.
   ](/genaiscript/_astro/vscode-genaiscript-view.CI7zhRNJ_2w1rKt.webp)

6. (Optional) Click on the ⚙️ gearwheel icon on the extension page and select **Add to Workspace Recommendations**.

To install a specific version of the extension, we recommend storing the `genaiscript.vsix` in your repository and using the manual installation steps.

### Default Profile for Terminal

[Section titled “Default Profile for Terminal”](#default-profile-for-terminal)

GenAIScript launches a node server in the default terminal. If the default terminal is not configured or does not support node.js, you may need to update it in your user/workspace settings.

* Open command palette `Ctrl+Shift+P` and search for `Terminal: Select Default Profile`.
* Select the terminal profile like **Git Bash**

### Manual Installation (Advanced)

[Section titled “Manual Installation (Advanced)”](#manual-installation-advanced)

The latest development build of the extension is also available on through the GitHub releases. This allows access to bug fixes earlier than the marketplace release.

1. Open the [latest release](https://github.com/microsoft/genaiscript/releases/latest/) on GitHub

2. Download the `genaiscript.vsix` into your project root folder

   * …

   * .genaiscript/ folder created by the extension to store supporting files

     * cache/ various cache files

       * …

     * retrieval/ retrieval database caches

       * …

     * … supporting files

   * **genaiscript.vsix**

3. Open your project in Visual Studio Code

4. Right click on the `.vsix` file and select **Install Extension VSIX…**

Cursor Support

GenAIScript can be installed in [Cursor](https://cursor.sh/how-to-install-extension) using the manual installation steps.

## Command Line[]()

[Section titled “Command Line ”](#command-line)

The [genaiscript](/genaiscript/reference/cli/) command line tool lets you run your GenAIScript from any terminal.

```sh
npx genaiscript run my-script some/path/*.pdf
```

`npx` will automatically install and cache the CLI.

Tip

**npx can be slow**. Learn how to install locally in the [cli reference](/genaiscript/reference/cli/).

## DevContainer

[Section titled “DevContainer”](#devcontainer)

You can add this file in your project to use GenAIScript in a [DevContainer](https://containers.dev/), it contains a minimum of tools to get started..

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

```json
{
    "image": "mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/typescript-node:20",
    "customizations": {
        "vscode": {
            "extensions": ["genaiscript.genaiscript-vscode"]
        }
    }
}
```

The devcontainer definition will automatically be used by [GitHub CodeSpaces](https://docs.github.com/en/codespaces/setting-up-your-project-for-codespaces/adding-a-dev-container-configuration/introduction-to-dev-containers), the [devcontainer cli](https://github.com/devcontainers/cli) or various [editor integrations](https://containers.dev/supporting).

## Next steps

[Section titled “Next steps”](#next-steps)

Let’s configure the [LLM connection information](/genaiscript/getting-started/configuration)