Getting Started

Requirements

• Node.js 20+
• An agent tool — e.g. npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
• Build tools for the native keyring module (optional — falls back to plaintext if absent):
  • Windows — Visual C++ Build Tools
  • macOS — Xcode Command Line Tools (xcode-select --install)
  • Linux — build-essential and libsecret-1-dev

Installation

npm (recommended)

npm install -g @axiom-labs/arc-cli
arc setup

The arc setup step installs local shims and adds shell integration. Open a new terminal afterward.

TIP

On Windows, a new terminal is required after the first install for PATH changes to take effect.

From source

If you prefer to build from source or want to contribute:

git clone https://github.com/Codename-11/ARC.git
cd ARC
pnpm install
pnpm build
node dist/index.js setup

See Contributing for the full development setup.

Updating

npm install

npm update -g @axiom-labs/arc-cli
arc update

From source

git pull
pnpm install
pnpm build

First Profile

Option 1: Onboarding Wizard

If no profiles exist, arc opens the onboarding wizard automatically. It detects installed tools (Claude, Gemini, Codex) and offers to import their existing configs.

arc

Option 2: Import an Existing Account

If you already have Claude Code configured, import it directly:

arc profile import --name default

ARC copies credentials and settings from ~/.claude into ~/.arc/profiles/default/.

Option 3: Create Manually

arc create work --tool claude --auth-type oauth
arc launch work          # Opens Claude Code — authenticate on first run

Multi-Tool Example

# Create profiles for different tools
arc create claude-work --tool claude --auth-type oauth
arc create gemini-work --tool gemini --auth-type api-key
arc set-key gemini-work

# Switch between them
arc use claude-work
arc launch               # launches Claude Code

arc use gemini-work
arc launch               # launches Gemini CLI

Verify Installation

arc doctor               # Run diagnostics
arc status               # Show all profiles and auth state

The doctor command checks tool installations, PATH configuration, shell integration, and keyring availability.

Workspace Shell

The TUI includes a workspace shell with smart input features:

Syntax highlighting — trigger tokens are color-coded as you type:

• /commands in green (e.g., /launch, /switch, /status)
• @profiles in blue (e.g., @work, @personal)
• #tags in dimmed
• Invalid tokens (unknown commands, non-existent profiles) show in red

Auto-complete — suggestions appear automatically:

• Type / to see available commands with descriptions
• Type @ to see profile names
• After /launch or /switch, profiles are suggested as arguments
• Tab or Enter accepts the selected suggestion
• Arrow keys navigate the suggestion list
• Escape dismisses suggestions

Shell commands — any non-/ input runs as a shell command with the active profile's environment applied.

Next Steps

• Profiles — manage multiple accounts across tools
• Authentication — API keys, Bedrock, Vertex AI, Foundry
• Shell Integration — make tool commands automatically use the active profile