How to install REA with npx rea-agents setup
REA 6.5.0 (released October 14, 2026) installs with one command, npx rea-agents setup, on Node.js 22.19+, 24.11+ or 26+.
To install REA (npm package rea-agents) and register it with your AI coding agent:
npx rea-agents setupFor the latest published release:
npx rea-agents@latest setupRequirements (checked 2026-10-17 (UTC)): Node.js 22.x (≥22.19), 24.x (≥24.11), or 26+, plus npm. Node.js 23, 25 and prereleases are unsupported. Latest release: 6.5.0. Official sources only: morluto/rea, rea.tools, npm rea-agents.
Setup previews configuration changes and asks for approval before writing agent config or installing Hopper. Restart the agents named in the completion message.
Requirements checklist
| Item | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | Node.js 22.19+ / 24.11+ / 26+ and npm | README; npm engines |
| Package | rea-agents from npm | https://www.npmjs.com/package/rea-agents |
| Network | Ability to download the npm package | — |
| Agent | A client that supports local MCP servers | Supported agents |
| Linux (some workflows) | procps-compatible ps on PATH | docs/installation.md |
Optional later: Hopper, Ghidra or IDA for deep native analysis; JADX + JDK for Android. Static JavaScript/.NET analysis does not need a native engine.
Step 1 — Run setup
npx rea-agents@latest setupOr from a global install:
npm install --global rea-agents
rea setupnpm's package-download approval and REA's setup approval are separate. Setup asks before changing agent configuration or installing Hopper.
Step 2 — Choose agents and review the plan
rea setup offers supported agents in a multi-select. Existing REA registrations are selected by default; newly detected clients stay available but unselected. Explicit --client flags skip the question.
The plan lists:
- existing Hopper / verified Ghidra paths, or a proposed Hopper install
- each selected agent configuration path
- skill destinations
- external software and package-manager commands
Approve only after you understand the paths. Cancel or Ctrl-C makes no changes. Malformed or unsafe existing configuration blocks the whole transaction before any write.
Step 3 — Restart your agents
Restart every agent named in the completion message. Quit Claude Desktop fully before approving on that client — a running app can overwrite the registration.
Step 4 — Optional global CLI
npm install --global rea-agents
rea --helpnpm install rea-agents without --global only puts the binary in the project's node_modules/.bin; it does not put rea on your shell PATH.
One-off commands without a global install:
npx -y rea-agents@latest <command>Optional curl wrapper (installs the global npm package only):
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/morluto/rea/main/install.sh | bashSupported script options: --version <semver>, --dry-run, --no-setup, --no-prompt, --verbose. Neither --no-prompt nor a non-interactive shell grants permission to install external dependencies.
Step 5 — Verify with rea doctor
rea doctor --jsonScoped checks (read-only):
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| One analysis engine | rea doctor --provider ghidra --json (or hopper, ida) |
| One agent registration | rea doctor --client codex --json |
| Installed skill | rea doctor --skill --json |
Related on RepoRead
FAQ
Do I need Hopper, Ghidra or IDA to finish setup?
No. Setup registers the MCP server. Deep native analysis needs one of those engines later; static JavaScript and .NET work without them.
Does setup install Ghidra or IDA?
No. Setup never installs Ghidra, Java or Python. Hopper is an optional, separately approved choice.
Which Node versions work?
22.x (≥22.19), 24.x (≥24.11), or 26+. Node 23, 25 and prereleases are unsupported.
How do I install only the skill instructions?
See upstream skill-only installation. Prefer full setup so the MCP server is registered too.
Is this the official install page?
No. RepoRead is unofficial. Follow docs/installation.md on the upstream repo if anything conflicts.