Requirements and supported platforms¶
npm installer (Apple Silicon macOS)¶
Requires macOS 13+, Apple Silicon (ARM64) and Node.js 20+. The npm installer bundles Python, Git, Core and its locked dependencies. The checks below apply to manual source installations.
Manual Core requirements¶
Use Python 3.12 or newer, Git and a writable private state directory under the account that will run Core. The Python interpreter must also provide a supported SQLite engine: 3.51.3 or newer, 3.50.7+ within 3.50.x, or 3.44.6+ within 3.44.x. A recent Python version alone does not prove this.
Run this with the same python3 you will use to create the virtual environment:
python3 -c 'import sys, sqlite3; v = sqlite3.sqlite_version_info; print(sys.version); print("SQLite", sqlite3.sqlite_version); assert sys.version_info >= (3, 12), "Python 3.12+ required"; assert v >= (3, 51, 3) or (3, 50, 7) <= v < (3, 51, 0) or (3, 44, 6) <= v < (3, 45, 0), "Unsupported SQLite engine"'
git --version
An assertion failure is a prerequisite failure, not a reason to bypass the task database check. Install an appropriate Python distribution through a trusted source, then repeat the check. Core does not download an interpreter during ordinary source installation. The separate offline payload producer is described under Service and runtime.
Platform matrix¶
| Platform | Supported path | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| macOS Apple Silicon (npm) | npm installer and managed user service | macOS 13+, Node.js 20+; first-run setup required. |
| macOS (source) | Manual Core serving and managed user service | Managed lifecycle requires the owning logged-in GUI user. |
| Linux controller | Manual openmachine serve |
No managed Linux service is provided by these commands. |
| Linux SSH target | Explicitly prepared worker | Python 3.12+, Git, OpenSSH access and systemd 255+ user manager for command execution. |
| Windows | Not supported by this release | Do not assume a Windows service or Windows SSH worker exists. |
| Offline runtime payload | Apple Silicon, macOS 13+ artifact format | An advanced producer interface, not a downloadable signed installer promise. |
Manual Core support is not a claim that every optional integration works on every platform. In particular, Browser requires the compatible native desktop bridge and login described there.
Network and account prerequisites¶
Building from a release needs access to the Git repository and the locked package dependencies. Before public repository access is enabled, cloning also requires repository permission; this documentation does not change repository visibility.
ChatGPT needs a supported MCP connection and applicable account/workspace approval. A private tunnel additionally needs the upstream tunnel permissions, credentials and correct organization/workspace association. Check these in Connect to ChatGPT before treating local installation as end-to-end readiness.
GitHub collaboration, SSH access and browser control each have separate prerequisites. Start with read-only configuration and enable only what you need.