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Install SpecBind

This page covers installing the specbind CLI and installing SpecBind into a project. Both the new-project and existing-project routes perform this step once, before their first Discovery.

  • For a new project, commit the project baseline first, then return here.
  • For an existing project, commit any pending work with your normal workflow first.

1. Install the CLI

From the project root, install SpecBind with mise:

mise use github:Huruikagi/specbind
mise lock
specbind --version

mise use records SpecBind in mise.toml; mise lock records the selected version and distribution checksum in mise.lock. Review and commit both files so the team uses the same version. See the repository README for other installation methods.

2. Install SpecBind into the project

The CLI's first job is to place the Agent Skills and configuration files SpecBind uses. This guide uses Codex and English artifacts:

specbind install --agent codex --language en --project-instructions
Coding agent --agent value
Codex codex
Claude Code claude-code
Another Agent supporting Agent Skills and AGENTS.md generic

Repeat --agent to select more than one. generic installs shared .agents/skills/ Skills and the managed AGENTS.md block, but no subagent role definitions.

--language en selects the language of managed artifacts such as requirements.md and design.md. --project-instructions adds a marked SpecBind block to AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md without changing text outside the marker.

3. Preview what will be written

Add --dry-run to the same command to see the create, replace, keep, and retired-product-asset remove plan without applying it:

specbind install --dry-run --agent codex --language en --project-instructions

The main installed surfaces are:

.specbind.json
.specbind/settings/
.agents/skills/sb-*/             # shared by Codex and generic
.codex/agents/specbind-*.toml    # Codex role configuration
.claude/skills/sb-*/             # Claude Code
.claude/agents/specbind-*.md     # Claude Code role configuration
AGENTS.md / CLAUDE.md            # when project instructions are enabled

Codex and Claude Code also receive default per-role models. To change them, see "Project configuration and per-role models" in Customize SpecBind.

4. Commit and reopen the session

Review the installed files and commit them separately from your other changes. The installer does not commit.

Then reopen the coding-agent session so it discovers the new Skills.

Skill invocation syntax

The examples in this guide use Codex $skill syntax. Claude Code uses /skill with the same Skill names and arguments. A generic host installs the same sb-* Skills; use that host's Skill selection or automatic discovery mechanism.

Next

User guide | Start a new project | Start with an existing project