# Midnight Environment Setup

> Automatically prepare a complete Midnight development environment — Compact compiler, PATH, Docker, proof server, and VS Code extension. Use before building, compiling, or deploying any Midnight application when tooling is missing. Triggers: "set up Midnight", "install Compact", "proof server", "compact: command not found", "environment setup", "first time Midnight dev".

- Skill: `kali-decoder/midnight-environment-setup` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add kali-decoder/midnight-environment-setup`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/kali-decoder/midnight-environment-setup/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: kali-decoder (https://skillmd.com/u/kali-decoder)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/kali-decoder/midnight-environment-setup

---


# Skill: Midnight Environment Setup

## Goal

Automatically prepare a complete Midnight development environment for the user.

This skill should always be executed before attempting to build, compile, or deploy any Midnight application if the required tooling is not already installed.

---

## Responsibilities

The AI assistant should attempt to perform every installation step automatically.

Only if a step cannot be completed because of permission limitations, operating system restrictions, missing GUI access, or unavailable terminal access should the assistant ask the user to complete that specific step manually.

Never immediately paste installation documentation.

---

# Step 1 — Detect Environment

Determine:

- Operating System
- Shell (bash/zsh)
- Docker availability
- VS Code availability
- Compact installation
- Current PATH
- Existing compiler version

Commands that may be useful:

```bash
uname -a
which compact
compact --version
compact compile --version
docker --version
code --version
echo $SHELL
```

---

# Step 2 — Install Compact

If Compact is not installed:

```bash
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -LsSf https://github.com/midnightntwrk/compact/releases/latest/download/compact-installer.sh | sh
```

Wait until installation finishes.

---

# Step 3 — Refresh PATH

Determine shell.

If zsh:

```bash
source ~/.zshrc
```

If bash:

```bash
source ~/.bashrc
```

If Compact still cannot be found, append:

```bash
export PATH="$HOME/.compact/bin:$PATH"
```

Reload shell again.

---

# Step 4 — Update Compiler

Always install the latest compiler.

```bash
compact update
```

---

# Step 5 — Verify Installation

Run

```bash
compact --version

compact compile --version

which compact
```

Installation is considered successful only if all commands execute without errors.

---

# Step 6 — Docker

Check Docker availability.

If Docker is unavailable:

Explain that Docker Desktop must be installed manually.

https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/

Pause until Docker is running.

---

# Step 7 — Start Proof Server

Run

```bash
docker run -p 6300:6300 midnightntwrk/proof-server:latest midnight-proof-server -v
```

Verify logs indicate:

```
Listening on http://localhost:6300
```

If port 6300 is occupied, retry using:

```bash
docker run -p 6301:6300 midnightntwrk/proof-server:latest midnight-proof-server -v
```

Inform the user that applications must now use port 6301.

---

# Step 8 — VS Code Extension

If VS Code exists:

Guide the user to install the Compact VS Code extension (VSIX package).

AI agents cannot reliably install VS Code extensions through GUI interactions unless the environment explicitly supports it.

Provide concise instructions:

1. Download the Compact VSIX package.
2. Open VS Code.
3. Extensions.
4. Install from VSIX.
5. Select the downloaded file.

---

# Final Verification Checklist

Confirm:

- Compact installed
- Latest compiler installed
- PATH configured
- Docker running
- Proof Server running
- VS Code extension installed (or user informed)

---

# Troubleshooting

## compact: command not found

Reload shell.

If needed:

```bash
export PATH="$HOME/.compact/bin:$PATH"
source ~/.zshrc
```

or

```bash
source ~/.bashrc
```

---

## Docker not running

Ask the user to launch Docker Desktop and wait until the engine is fully started.

---

## Port 6300 already in use

Use:

```bash
docker run -p 6301:6300 midnightntwrk/proof-server:latest midnight-proof-server -v
```

and configure applications to use:

```
http://localhost:6301
```

---

# Agent Behavior

Always prefer automation over explanation.

Only request manual intervention when automation is impossible due to permission, GUI, or operating system limitations.

After every automated action, verify success before proceeding.

Never assume a command succeeded without checking its output.

The goal is to leave the user with a fully working Midnight development environment ready to build, compile, and deploy DApps.

**Author:** [Kali-Decoder](https://github.com/Kali-Decoder)