Install DorkOS and open the one place where you run, schedule, and check on your coding agents

Installation

DorkOS gives you a browser tab where you run, schedule, and check on your coding agents. Install it once, and it starts in seconds whenever you need it.

Before you start

Every install method needs a Claude API key (a key from Anthropic that lets DorkOS talk to Claude on your behalf). If you don't have one yet, create it there first. Everything except Docker and the desktop app also needs Node.js 22 or later, the JavaScript runtime DorkOS runs on. (The desktop app and Docker bring their own, so you don't have to install anything else.)

Try it without installing

Curious before you commit to anything? If you have Node.js 22 or newer, you can run DorkOS straight from npm with npx, no install step first:

npx dorkos@latest

The first run takes a minute or two: npx downloads DorkOS and compiles a couple of native pieces it depends on. After that, your browser opens to the same app a permanent install gives you.

Already signed in to Claude Code? You're set. Otherwise, set your API key first:

export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-key-here"
npx dorkos@latest

Like what you see? Install DorkOS for good with one of the methods below, and skip that first-run wait every time you start it.

Pick your install method

Most people should use the one-liner: it's one command and it checks your setup for you. Already comfortable with npm? Use the npm tab. On a Mac and want a real app in your dock, no terminal at all? Use the Desktop App (there is a new Windows version too, still in early testing). Running on a server, or don't want Node.js on your machine? Use Docker. Contributing to DorkOS itself? Use Self-Hosted.

One command, no yak-shaving: it checks your Node.js version, installs DorkOS, and can walk you through setup.

Install DorkOS

curl -fsSL https://dorkos.ai/install | bash

This checks for Node.js 22+, installs DorkOS, and asks if you'd like to run the setup wizard. Say yes and it'll ask for your preferred port, a UI theme, and which folder you want DorkOS to work in by default. You can change any of these later.

Set your API key

export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-key-here"

An environment variable is a value your shell hands to programs when they start, in this case your API key. Add this line to your shell profile (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or similar) so you don't have to retype it every time you open a terminal.

Start DorkOS

dorkos

DorkOS starts on port 4242 (the address your browser uses to reach it) and opens automatically in your browser.

CI/Automation: Skip interactive prompts with --no-prompt: bash curl -fsSL https://dorkos.ai/install | bash -s -- --no-prompt Pin a specific version: curl -fsSL https://dorkos.ai/install | bash -s 1.2.3

Port already taken? If DorkOS won't start because something else is using the port, run dorkos --port 8081 (or any free port) to start on a different one.

Updating

DorkOS checks for a newer version every time it starts. Here's how to update on each install method.

Re-run the one-liner or update with your package manager:

curl -fsSL https://dorkos.ai/install | bash

Check your current version at any time:

dorkos --version

Reference

Deeper detail for when things go sideways or you need an exact version.

Rollback and version pinning

Something broke after an update? Roll back to the version that worked.

npm install -g dorkos@0.11.0

Replace 0.11.0 with the version you want. Available versions are listed on npm and GitHub Releases.

Next steps

Head to the Quickstart to open your first session, or Configuration to customize your setup.

Installation

On this page