# Installation

> One-time setup for versions-skills plugin, SDK, CLI, and MCP server. Run first before using any version-* skill.

- Skill: `scagogogo/installation` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add scagogogo/installation`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/scagogogo/installation/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: scagogogo (https://skillmd.com/u/scagogogo)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/scagogogo/installation

---


# Installation

> **Run this once** before using any `version-*` skill. All other skills assume the tooling is available.
> **Layers:** Plugin (Claude Code Skills) → SDK (Go) → CLI (shell) → MCP (AI tools) — pick your entry point.

## Decision Tree

```
Which access path does the task need?
├─ Plugin (Claude Code slash commands)  → Step 0
├─ SDK (Go code)                       → Step 1
├─ CLI (shell/scripts)                 → Step 2
└─ MCP (AI tool calls)                 → Step 3
```

---

## Step 0: Claude Code Plugin (Skills)

Install 13 version operation slash commands in Claude Code:

```bash
# Add the marketplace (one-time)
claude plugin marketplace add https://github.com/scagogogo/versions-skills

# Install the plugin
claude plugin install versions
```

After installation, slash commands like `/version-parsing`, `/version-comparison`, `/version-sorting` are available in any Claude Code session.

> **How it works:** The plugin ships 13 `SKILL.md` files. Claude Code loads these as domain knowledge — when you type `/version-parsing`, Claude loads the skill's API reference, code examples, and decision tree, then uses the SDK/CLI/MCP to execute your request.

---

## Step 1: SDK (Go library)

```bash
go get github.com/scagogogo/versions-skills
```

```go
import "github.com/scagogogo/versions-skills"
```

Verify:
```go
v := versions.NewVersion("1.2.3")
fmt.Println(v.IsValid()) // true
```

---

## Step 2: CLI binary

**Option A — One-line installer (recommended):**
```bash
curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/scagogogo/versions-skills/main/install.sh | bash
```

**Option B — Manual download:**
Pick the archive for your platform from the [releases page](https://github.com/scagogogo/versions-skills/releases/latest). Replace `{VERSION}` and `{OS}_{ARCH}`:

```bash
curl -sL https://github.com/scagogogo/versions-skills/releases/latest/download/versions_{VERSION}_{OS}_{ARCH}.tar.gz | tar xz
chmod +x versions && sudo mv versions /usr/local/bin/
```

**Option C — Go install:**
```bash
go install github.com/scagogogo/versions-skills/cmd/versions@latest
```

Verify:
```bash
versions --version
versions parse 1.2.3
```

---

## Step 3: MCP server

**Option A — Download binary** (see Step 2, use `versions-mcp` binary name).

**Option B — Go install:**
```bash
go install github.com/scagogogo/versions-skills/cmd/versions-mcp@latest
```

Configure in your AI client:

**Claude Code** — add to `~/.claude/settings.json` (user scope) or `.claude/settings.json` (project scope):
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "versions": {
      "command": "versions-mcp",
      "args": ["--transport", "stdio"]
    }
  }
}
```

**Cursor** — add to `.cursor/mcp.json` in your project root:
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "versions": {
      "command": "versions-mcp",
      "args": ["--transport", "stdio"]
    }
  }
}
```

**Windsurf** — add to `.windsurf/mcp.json` in your project root:
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "versions": {
      "command": "versions-mcp",
      "args": ["--transport", "stdio"]
    }
  }
}
```

**VS Code (Copilot)** — add to `.vscode/mcp.json` in your project root:
```json
{
  "servers": {
    "versions": {
      "command": "versions-mcp",
      "args": ["--transport", "stdio"]
    }
  }
}
```

For SSE mode (network-accessible server):
```bash
versions-mcp --transport sse --port 8080
```

Available tools: `version_parse`, `version_validate`, `version_info`, `version_compare`, `version_sort`, `version_group`, `version_constraint_check`, `version_range_query`, `version_filter`, `version_min`, `version_max`, `version_latest_stable`, `version_latest_prerelease`, `version_unique`, `version_set_operation`, `version_visualize`, `version_build`, `version_bump`, `version_core`, `version_read_file`, `version_write_file`.

---

## Important Notes

- **Plugin (Skills) and MCP Server complement each other** — Skills inject domain knowledge as slash commands; MCP exposes 21 tools as AI-callable functions. Use both for the best experience.
- **CLI default output is JSON** — use `-f table` or `-f text` for human-readable output.
- **CLI quiet mode** (`-q`) outputs raw data without the envelope — ideal for shell pipelines.
- **MCP tools return JSON** — parse the `content[0].text` field.
- **Platform coverage**: Linux, macOS, Windows, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD on amd64, arm64, arm, 386, mips, mips64, mips64le, ppc64, ppc64le, s390x, riscv64. Linux packages: deb, rpm, apk.