---
title: "Install rote — rote™ by modiqo"
description: "Install the rote CLI (curl one-liner) and the rote VS Code extension. Both share the same ~/.rote state."
doc_version: "1.1"
last_updated: "2026-05-01"
canonical: "https://modiqo.ai/docs/rote-install.txt"
---

# Install rote

> **Install once, work from anywhere.** The CLI and the VS Code extension share `~/.rote/` state — pick either or use both side by side.

Two surfaces. Install whichever fits your workflow — they share the same `~/.rote/` state, so you can use both side by side.

## rote CLI

The local-first command-line surface. Wizard-guided install:

```bash
curl -fsSL https://getrote.dev/install | bash
```

The installer drops the `rote` binary on your `PATH` and launches an interactive wizard that walks you through:

1. Registry sign-in (request invite or claim an existing one)
2. Adapter selection from the catalog
3. OAuth and token configuration for the adapters you picked
4. Skill / agent wiring for Claude Code and other AI clients
5. A live proof-of-life run against each configured adapter

After the wizard finishes, your environment is set up at `~/.rote/`. From there:

```bash
rote how                          # onboarding tree — start here
rote guidance agent essential     # 700-line agent steering guide
rote flow search "<intent>"       # find a ready-made flow
```

## rote VS Code extension

The visual surface for the same `~/.rote/` state — sidebar trees, panels, setup wizard, run-flow UI, and a registry browser.

1. Open VS Code.
2. Go to **Extensions** (`Cmd+Shift+X` on macOS, `Ctrl+Shift+X` on Windows / Linux).
3. Search for **rote**.
4. Click **Install**.
5. The extension opens its setup wizard. From the wizard:
   - **Request invite** — if you don't have a registry account yet.
   - **Claim invite** — if you have an invite code from your team.
   - **SSO** — sign in to the registry with your existing identity provider.
6. Once signed in, the wizard mirrors the CLI flow: select adapters, configure tokens (OAuth for Google services, paste-in for static API keys), and run a live proof against each.

The extension uses the rote CLI under the hood — so installing the CLI first is recommended but not required. The extension will guide you through CLI setup if it isn't found.

## Which to use

- **CLI only** — best for terminal-native workflows, agent runners (Claude Code, Cursor agents), CI machines, and headless servers (use `rote provision` / `rote claim` for those).
- **VS Code extension** — best for visually browsing your adapters, flows, and traces; running flows with parameter forms; reviewing registry artifacts; and onboarding teammates.
- **Both** — they share `~/.rote/`. Changes made by either are visible to the other immediately (the extension watches the directory).

## What gets installed

- `~/.rote/` — all local state (adapters, flows, secrets, registry config, workspaces, archives).
- `rote` binary — typically at `~/.local/bin/rote` or `~/.cargo/bin/rote` depending on platform.
- Embedded Deno runtime — auto-installed on first flow run, lives at `~/.rote/bin/deno`.
- TypeScript SDK — `~/.rote/lib/sdk/ts/` for flow authoring.

See [/docs/rote-architecture.txt](https://www.modiqo.ai/docs/rote-architecture.txt) for the full on-disk layout.

## Verify the install

```bash
rote --version
rote config check                 # validate environment
rote adapter list                 # show installed adapters
rote token list                   # show configured tokens (no secrets shown)
```

If `rote config check` reports any missing pieces, re-run the wizard:

```bash
rote setup
```

## Updating

```bash
curl -fsSL https://getrote.dev/install | bash
```

The installer is idempotent — re-running upgrades the binary without disturbing `~/.rote/`. Your adapters, flows, secrets, and registry session are preserved.

For the VS Code extension, updates flow through the marketplace — VS Code will notify you when a new version is available.

## Uninstall

```bash
rm -rf ~/.rote                    # all state
rm "$(which rote)"                # the binary
```

Uninstall the VS Code extension from the Extensions panel.

> **Heads-up:** removing `~/.rote/` deletes encrypted tokens. Push the vault to the registry first if you want to recover them on another machine: `rote vault push`.