# Install the CLI and sign in

> Install byagent and store a key once, so every later command works.

Part of https://byagent.dev/agents.

## Steps

1. Install the CLI (Node 18 or later):

   ```sh
   npm install -g byagent
   ```

   Or run any command without installing: `npx byagent <command>`. Never `npx artifacts`, which is an unrelated package.

2. Get a key. A person signs in at https://app.byagent.dev/app/ and creates one at https://app.byagent.dev/app/keys. Keys are never created over the API, so if there is no key yet, ask the user for one.

   No key and just trying it? Skip to the next page: `byagent publish` with nothing configured gets a guest key and saves it. Guest pages are public, three at most, and stop working after 24 hours. The JSON has `claim_url`: the user opens it, signs in and keeps the pages. Never publish anything private as a guest.

3. Store it without printing it:

   ```sh
   echo "$BYAGENT_KEY" | byagent login --api https://app.byagent.dev
   ```

   The CLI also reads `ARTIFACTS_TOKEN` and `ARTIFACTS_API` from the environment, else `~/.artifacts/config.json`.

4. Check it:

   ```sh
   byagent whoami --json
   ```

## Done when

`byagent whoami --json` prints your workspace. Never echo the key into chat or logs.

Next: https://byagent.dev/agents/tasks/publish.md