Install
ratchet installs with npm and runs on Windows 10, Windows 11 and macOS.
What you need
| Tool | Why | If it's missing |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 22.12 or later | Runs ratchet | ratchet won't start and tells you how to fix it |
| git | Every git view | ratchet won't start |
| GitHub CLI, signed in | Pull requests and CI runs | Starts anyway, those views are off |
| Claude Code | Starting and watching agents | Starts anyway, agent views are off |
Windows
ratchet needs the native Claude Code (claude.exe). If you only have the npm package, run claude install once.
Install on Windows
PS> npm install -g @ratchet-ai/ratchet PS> ratchet
PowerShell says running scripts is disabled
Run ratchet.cmd instead, or allow local scripts once with Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned.
Install on macOS
Install Node with nvm or Homebrew so a global npm install needs no sudo. On a Mac, xcode-select --install gives you git.
~ % npm install -g @ratchet-ai/ratchet ~ % ratchet
Both the native Claude Code and the npm package work on a Mac.
Next
Go to First start to see what happens when ratchet opens for the first time.