create-better-t-stack/apps/web/content/docs/installation.mdx

---
title: Installation
description: How to install and set up Better-T-Stack CLI
---

## System Requirements

Before installing Better-T-Stack, ensure your system meets these requirements:

- **Node.js**: Version 18 or higher
- **Package Manager**: npm, pnpm, or bun
- **Git**: For repository initialization (optional but recommended)

### Optional Dependencies

Depending on your project configuration, you may need:

- **Docker**: For local database development with Docker Compose
- **Rust & System Dependencies**: For Tauri desktop applications
- **Cloudflare CLI**: For Workers deployment

## Quick Start (Recommended)

The fastest way to get started is using npx, which runs the latest version without installation:

```bash
npx create-better-t-stack@latest my-project
```

This command will:
1. Download the latest version of the CLI
2. Run the interactive setup wizard
3. Create your project in the `my-project` directory

## Package Manager Specific Commands

### npm

```bash
# Run without installing
npx create-better-t-stack@latest my-project

# Or install globally
npm install -g create-better-t-stack
create-better-t-stack my-project
```

### pnpm

```bash
# Run without installing (recommended)
pnpm create better-t-stack@latest my-project

# Or install globally
pnpm add -g create-better-t-stack
create-better-t-stack my-project
```

### bun

```bash
# Run without installing (recommended)
bun create better-t-stack@latest my-project

# Or install globally
bun add -g create-better-t-stack
create-better-t-stack my-project
```

## Global Installation

If you frequently create new projects, you might want to install the CLI globally:

<Tabs items={['npm', 'pnpm', 'bun']}>
  <Tab value="npm">
    ```bash
    npm install -g create-better-t-stack
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab value="pnpm">
    ```bash
    pnpm add -g create-better-t-stack
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab value="bun">
    ```bash
    bun add -g create-better-t-stack
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

After global installation, you can run:

```bash
create-better-t-stack my-project
```

## Verification

Verify your installation by checking the version:

```bash
# If installed globally
create-better-t-stack --version

# Or with npx
npx create-better-t-stack@latest --version
```

You should see output similar to:

```
2.26.3
```

## Development Installation

For contributing to Better-T-Stack or running the latest development version:

```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/AmanVarshney01/create-better-t-stack.git
cd create-better-t-stack

# Install dependencies
pnpm install

# Build the CLI
cd apps/cli
pnpm build

# Link for local development
pnpm link --global
```

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

#### Permission Errors (npm)

If you encounter permission errors with npm global installation:

```bash
# Use npx instead (recommended)
npx create-better-t-stack@latest my-project

# Or configure npm to use a different directory
mkdir ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
```

#### Node.js Version Issues

Ensure you're using Node.js 18 or higher:

```bash
node --version
```

If you need to upgrade Node.js:

- **Using nvm**: `nvm install 18 && nvm use 18`
- **Using n**: `n 18`
- **Download**: Visit [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/)

#### Package Manager Not Found

If you prefer a specific package manager but it's not installed:

```bash
# Install pnpm
npm install -g pnpm

# Install bun
curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash
```

#### Network Issues

If you experience network timeouts or connection issues:

```bash
# Try with different registry
npm config set registry https://registry.npmjs.org/

# Or clear npm cache
npm cache clean --force
```

## Next Steps

Once installed, you're ready to create your first project:

1. **Quick Start**: Follow our [Quick Start Guide](/docs/quick-start)
2. **Configuration**: Learn about [Configuration Options](/docs/frontend)
3. **CLI Reference**: Explore all [CLI Commands](/docs/cli-commands)

## Staying Updated

To ensure you're always using the latest version with bug fixes and new features:

### Using npx (Automatic)
When using `npx create-better-t-stack@latest`, you automatically get the latest version.

### Global Installation Updates

If you have it installed globally, update regularly:

<Tabs items={['npm', 'pnpm', 'bun']}>
  <Tab value="npm">
    ```bash
    npm update -g create-better-t-stack
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab value="pnpm">
    ```bash
    pnpm update -g create-better-t-stack
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab value="bun">
    ```bash
    bun update -g create-better-t-stack
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Release Notes

Stay informed about new features and changes:

- **GitHub Releases**: [View releases](https://github.com/AmanVarshney01/create-better-t-stack/releases)
- **Changelog**: Check the repository for detailed changes
- **Breaking Changes**: Major version updates may include breaking changes