# Claude Copilot Setup Guide

> This creates a knowledge repository for company/product information that's shared across all projects.

- Skill: `tools-only/claude-copilot-setup-guide` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/claude-copilot-setup-guide`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/claude-copilot-setup-guide/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/claude-copilot-setup-guide

---

# Claude Copilot Setup Guide

## Quick Start (Recommended)

### Zero-Config Install

The fastest way to get started is with the zero-config installer:

```bash
# Install globally with automatic dependency fixing
npx claude-copilot install --global --auto-fix
```

This single command will:
- Check for Node.js, Git, and build tools
- Auto-install missing dependencies (macOS: via Homebrew, Linux: via apt/dnf/pacman)
- Clone the repository to `~/.claude/copilot`
- Build MCP servers (Memory; Skills optional)
- Install the `tc` CLI (Task Copilot)
- Install global commands (`/setup-project`, `/update-project`, `/knowledge-copilot`)

**For project setup after global install:**
```bash
cd your-project
npx claude-copilot install --project .
```

**Check dependencies without installing:**
```bash
npx claude-copilot check --verbose
```

---

## Alternative: Interactive Setup

If you prefer interactive setup or already have the repository cloned:

### Step 1: Clone the Repository

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.claude
cd ~/.claude
git clone https://github.com/Everyone-Needs-A-Copilot/claude-copilot.git copilot
```

### Step 2: Open Claude Code in the Copilot Directory

```bash
cd ~/.claude/copilot
claude
```

### Step 3: Run Machine Setup

```
/setup
```

The setup wizard will:
- Check prerequisites (Node.js, build tools)
- Build the MCP servers (Memory; Skills optional)
- Install the `tc` CLI (Task Copilot)
- Install global commands (`/setup-project`, `/update-project`, `/knowledge-copilot`)

**Note:** Skills Copilot MCP is optional. For local skills, use native `@include` directives.

### Step 4: Set Up Projects

Open Claude Code in any project and run:

```
/setup-project
```

### Step 5: Update Projects (When Needed)

After updating Claude Copilot, refresh your projects:

```
/update-project
```

### Step 6: (Optional) Set Up Shared Knowledge

```
/knowledge-copilot
```

This creates a knowledge repository for company/product information that's shared across all projects.

---

## Commands Overview

| Command | Where It Works | Purpose |
|---------|----------------|---------|
| `/setup` | `~/.claude/copilot` only | One-time machine setup |
| `/setup-project` | Any folder | Initialize a new project |
| `/update-project` | Existing projects | Update project with latest Claude Copilot |
| `/update-copilot` | Any folder | Update Claude Copilot itself (pull + rebuild) |
| `/knowledge-copilot` | Any folder | Set up shared knowledge |
| `/protocol` | Projects | Start fresh work |
| `/continue` | Projects | Resume previous work |
| `/orchestrate` | Projects | Set up and run parallel streams |

---

## What Gets Installed

### Machine Level (`~/.claude/copilot/`)

| Component | Purpose |
|-----------|---------|
| `mcp-servers/copilot-memory/` | Persistent memory across sessions (required) |
| `mcp-servers/skills-copilot/` | OPTIONAL: Advanced skill management + marketplace access |
| `tools/tc/` | `tc` CLI for PRD, task, and work product management (required) |
| `.claude/agents/` | 14 specialized agent definitions |
| `.claude/commands/` | Source command files |
| `templates/` | Project setup templates |

**Skills Note:** For local skills (`.claude/skills/`), use native `@include` directives. Only build Skills Copilot MCP if you need SkillsMP marketplace (25K+ skills) or private database storage.

### User Level (`~/.claude/commands/`)

| Component | Purpose |
|-----------|---------|
| `setup-project.md` | `/setup-project` - initialize new projects |
| `update-project.md` | `/update-project` - update existing projects |
| `update-copilot.md` | `/update-copilot` - update Claude Copilot itself |
| `knowledge-copilot.md` | `/knowledge-copilot` - set up shared knowledge |

### Project Level

| File/Directory | Purpose |
|----------------|---------|
| `.mcp.json` | MCP server configuration |
| `CLAUDE.md` | Project-specific instructions |
| `.claude/commands/` | Project commands (`/protocol`, `/continue`) |
| `.claude/agents/` | Agent definitions |
| `.claude/skills/` | Project-specific skills |

### Machine Level (Optional)

| Location | Purpose |
|----------|---------|
| `~/.claude/knowledge/` | Symlink to your knowledge repository |
| `~/[company]-knowledge/` | Your actual knowledge repo (Git-managed) |

---

## Manual Setup (Alternative)

If you prefer to run setup steps manually instead of using `/setup`:

### Prerequisites

| Requirement | Version | Check |
|-------------|---------|-------|
| Node.js | 18+ | `node --version` |
| Build tools | - | `xcode-select -p` (macOS) |

**Install build tools (macOS):**
```bash
xcode-select --install
```

### Build MCP Servers

**Required components:**
```bash
# Memory server (required)
cd ~/.claude/copilot/mcp-servers/copilot-memory
npm install
npm run build

# tc CLI - Task Copilot (required)
pip install -e ~/.claude/copilot/tools/tc
```

**Optional - Skills Copilot (only if you need marketplace/database):**
```bash
# Skills server (optional - skip if using native @include)
cd ~/.claude/copilot/mcp-servers/skills-copilot
npm install
npm run build
```

### Install Global Commands

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.claude/commands
cp ~/.claude/copilot/.claude/commands/setup-project.md ~/.claude/commands/
cp ~/.claude/copilot/.claude/commands/update-project.md ~/.claude/commands/
cp ~/.claude/copilot/.claude/commands/update-copilot.md ~/.claude/commands/
cp ~/.claude/copilot/.claude/commands/knowledge-copilot.md ~/.claude/commands/
```

### Project Setup

1. Create directories:
   ```bash
   mkdir -p .claude/commands .claude/agents .claude/skills
   ```

2. Copy project commands and agents:
   ```bash
   cp ~/.claude/copilot/.claude/commands/protocol.md .claude/commands/
   cp ~/.claude/copilot/.claude/commands/continue.md .claude/commands/
   cp ~/.claude/copilot/.claude/agents/*.md .claude/agents/
   ```

3. Create `.mcp.json` (replace `/Users/yourname` with actual path):

   **Minimal (native @include for skills):**
   ```json
   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "copilot-memory": {
         "command": "node",
         "args": ["/Users/yourname/.claude/copilot/mcp-servers/copilot-memory/dist/index.js"],
         "env": {
           "MEMORY_PATH": "/Users/yourname/.claude/memory",
           "WORKSPACE_ID": "your-project-name"
         }
       }
     }
   }
   ```

   **Note:** Task management is handled by the `tc` CLI tool, not an MCP server. Install it with `pip install -e ~/.claude/copilot/tools/tc`.

   **Optional - Add Skills Copilot (if you need marketplace/database):**
   ```json
       "skills-copilot": {
         "command": "node",
         "args": ["/Users/yourname/.claude/copilot/mcp-servers/skills-copilot/dist/index.js"],
         "env": {
           "LOCAL_SKILLS_PATH": "./.claude/skills"
         }
       }
   ```

4. Create `CLAUDE.md` from template at `~/.claude/copilot/templates/CLAUDE.template.md`

5. Restart Claude Code

---

## Verification

After setup, run `/mcp` in Claude Code. You should see at minimum:
```
● copilot-memory
```

Optional (if configured):
```
● skills-copilot
```

Also verify the `tc` CLI is installed:
```bash
tc version
```

**Using Skills:**
- **Local skills:** Use `@include .claude/skills/NAME/SKILL.md` in prompts
- **Marketplace skills:** Install Skills Copilot MCP, then use `skill_search()`

Then try:
- `/protocol` - Start working
- `/continue` - Resume previous work

---

## Troubleshooting

### Build Fails

**Native module errors:**
```bash
xcode-select --install  # macOS
cd ~/.claude/copilot/mcp-servers/copilot-memory
npm rebuild better-sqlite3
npm run build
```

### MCP Servers Not Connecting

1. Check `.mcp.json` uses absolute paths (not `~`)
2. Verify the dist/index.js files exist
3. Restart Claude Code

### Commands Not Found

- For `/setup-project` or `/update-project`: Run machine setup first
- For `/protocol` or `/continue`: Run `/setup-project` in your project

---

## Environment Variables

### Memory Copilot

| Variable | Default | Purpose |
|----------|---------|---------|
| `MEMORY_PATH` | `~/.claude/memory` | Database storage location |
| `WORKSPACE_ID` | Auto-hash | Unique project identifier |

### Skills Copilot (OPTIONAL)

**Note:** Only needed if using Skills Copilot MCP. For local skills, use native `@include` directives.

| Variable | Default | Purpose |
|----------|---------|---------|
| `LOCAL_SKILLS_PATH` | `./.claude/skills` | Project skills (fallback) |
| `SKILLSMP_API_KEY` | - | Access to 25K+ public skills marketplace |
| `POSTGRES_URL` | - | Team-shared private skills in database |
| `KNOWLEDGE_REPO_PATH` | - | Project-specific knowledge repository |
| `GLOBAL_KNOWLEDGE_PATH` | `~/.claude/knowledge` | Machine-wide knowledge (auto-detected) |

### tc CLI (Task Copilot)

| Variable | Default | Purpose |
|----------|---------|---------|
| `TASK_DB_PATH` | `~/.claude/tasks` | Task database storage |
| `WORKSPACE_ID` | Auto-hash | Links to Memory Copilot workspace |

---

## Knowledge Repository

Claude Copilot supports shared knowledge that's available across all projects.

### Quick Setup

Run `/knowledge-copilot` for guided setup that:
1. Creates a Git repository for your knowledge
2. Guides you through documenting company/voice/products/standards
3. Helps you push to GitHub for team sharing
4. Links to `~/.claude/knowledge` for automatic access

### Manual Setup

```bash
# Create and link
mkdir -p ~/my-company-knowledge
ln -sf ~/my-company-knowledge ~/.claude/knowledge

# Create manifest (required)
echo '{"version":"1.0","name":"my-company","description":"Company knowledge"}' > ~/.claude/knowledge/knowledge-manifest.json
```

### Team Members

```bash
# Clone team knowledge repo
git clone git@github.com:org/company-knowledge.git ~/company-knowledge

# Link it
ln -sf ~/company-knowledge ~/.claude/knowledge
```

---

## Next Steps

After setup:
1. **Start working:** `/protocol`
2. **Resume work:** `/continue`
3. **Set up knowledge:** `/knowledge-copilot` (optional but recommended)