# Mise

> Configure and use `mise` for dev tool management, environment variables, and task running. Use this skill when the user mentions `mise`, `mise.toml`, `.mise.toml`, `mise use`, `mise install`, `mise run`, `mise x`, project tool versions like Node or Python, task definitions, env vars, hooks, backends, or asks how to configure mise in a project.

- Skill: `aaronflorey/mise` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 9 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add aaronflorey/mise`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/aaronflorey/mise/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- License: MIT
- Author: aaronflorey (https://skillmd.com/u/aaronflorey)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/aaronflorey/mise

---


# Mise

Mise is a polyglot tool version manager and task runner. It manages dev tools, environment variables, and tasks for projects.

## Core Concepts

**Configuration**: `mise.toml` in project root (or `.mise.toml`, `.config/mise/config.toml`). Config is hierarchical - child directories override parent settings.

**Tools**: Defined in `[tools]` section. Mise installs and activates correct versions per-directory.

**Environment**: Defined in `[env]` section. Set project-specific env vars that activate when entering directory.

**Tasks**: Defined in `[tasks]` section or as standalone scripts in `mise-tasks/` directory.

## Quick Reference

### Basic mise.toml structure:

```toml
[tools]
node = "22"
python = "3.12"

[env]
NODE_ENV = "development"

[tasks.build]
run = "npm run build"
```

### Essential Commands

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `mise use node@22` | Install and set tool version in mise.toml |
| `mise use -g node@22` | Set global tool version |
| `mise install` | Install all tools from config |
| `mise run <task>` | Run a task |
| `mise x -- <cmd>` | Execute command with mise environment |
| `mise ls` | List installed tools |
| `mise doctor` | Diagnose mise setup |

### Tool Backends

Tools can be installed from various backends:

- **Core**: `node`, `python`, `go`, `ruby` (built-in)
- **npm**: `npm:prettier`, `npm:eslint`
- **pipx**: `pipx:black`, `pipx:ruff`
- **cargo**: `cargo:ripgrep`
- **github**: `github:BurntSushi/ripgrep`
- **aqua**: `aqua:hashicorp/terraform`

## When to Consult References

For detailed information, read the appropriate reference file:

- **Configuration options** (tool options, env directives, settings): `references/configuration.md`
- **Task definition** (toml tasks, file tasks, arguments, dependencies): `references/tasks.md`
- **CLI commands** (all command flags and examples): `references/cli.md`
- **Installable overview** (where to look first for all installable options): `references/installable-overview.md`
- **Core tools** (built-in first-party languages): `references/core-tools.md`
- **Backends** (supported package ecosystems and backend families): `references/backends.md`
- **Registry aliases** (tool shorthands accepted by `mise use`): `references/registry-tools.md`
- **Hooks and advanced features**: `references/advanced.md`

## Common Patterns

### Project with Node.js and Python

```toml
[tools]
node = "lts"
python = "3.12"

[env]
NODE_ENV = "development"
PYTHONDONTWRITEBYTECODE = "1"

[tasks.dev]
run = "npm run dev"

[tasks.test]
run = ["npm test", "pytest"]
```

### Task with Dependencies

```toml
[tasks.build]
run = "npm run build"
sources = ["src/**/*.ts"]
outputs = ["dist/**/*.js"]

[tasks.deploy]
depends = ["build", "test"]
run = "./scripts/deploy.sh"
```

### File Task (mise-tasks/build)

```bash
#!/usr/bin/env bash
#MISE description="Build the project"
#MISE depends=["lint"]
npm run build
```

### Environment from .env file

```toml
[env]
_.file = ".env"
_.path = "./bin"
```

## Shell Activation

Add to shell rc file to auto-activate mise:

```bash
# bash: ~/.bashrc
eval "$(mise activate bash)"

# zsh: ~/.zshrc  
eval "$(mise activate zsh)"

# fish: ~/.config/fish/config.fish
mise activate fish | source
```

Without activation, use `mise x -- <command>` or `mise run <task>`.