Guides · Zorai

Installation

Quick install

Native binaries without npm.

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mkurman/zorai/main/scripts/install.sh | sh
zorai --help
zoi --help

NPM install

Install via npm.

npm install -g zor-ai
zorai --help
zoi --help

Pre-built artifacts

Use pre-built binaries for quick setup.

# Linux
curl -fsSLO https://github.com/mkurman/zorai/releases/latest/download/zorai-linux-x86_64.zip

# macOS Intel
curl -fsSLO https://github.com/mkurman/zorai/releases/latest/download/zorai-darwin-x86_64.zip

# macOS Silicon
curl -fsSLO https://github.com/mkurman/zorai/releases/latest/download/zorai-darwin-arm64.zip

# Windows
curl -fsSLO https://github.com/mkurman/zorai/releases/latest/download/zorai-windows-x64.zip

Source install

Full daemon + Electron + TUI workflow.

git clone https://github.com/mkurman/zorai.git
cd zorai
./scripts/setup.sh --check --profile source

Requires Rust, Node.js, npm, git, and uv. Start the daemon first; everything else reconnects to it.

CLI alias: zoi is installed as a short alias for zorai. Use either command; examples keep zorai when clarity matters.

npm install

cd frontend
npm install

First-run checklist

Run ./scripts/setup.sh --check --profile source
Start daemon: cargo run --release --bin zorai-daemon
Open your preferred surface: Electron, TUI, CLI, or MCP
Verify runtime points at the daemon backend
Inspect goal, task, and approval surfaces

Key point: without the daemon, the system has no source of truth.

First goal

Run a bounded, concrete objective to see planning, child execution entries, approvals, and reflection in action.

Investigate why the nightly Rust build is failing, identify the root cause,
propose the smallest safe fix, and capture any reusable workflow as a skill.

What to expect

Run enters queued, then planning
Daemon generates plan and child execution entries
Risky operations pause for approval
Run ends with reflection, memory update, or skill

Choosing surfaces

Surface	Best for	Typical use
Electron	Desktop overview	Goals, settings, plugin UI, multi-pane
TUI	Keyboard-first, SSH	Inspect sessions, goals, workspace tasks, approvals
CLI	Scripting	Automation, session management, health
MCP	External integration	Expose Zorai to outside tools
Gateway	Chat platforms	Discord, Slack, Telegram, WhatsApp

All surfaces are clients of the same daemon state.

Daily habits

Durable threads

One thread per objective. Continue when the mission is the same. New thread only when the objective changes.

Goal runners for real work

Multi-step, long-running, or approval-heavy work benefits from goals over chat threads.

Explicit success criteria

Define done, constraints, and verification. Zorai rewards specificity.

Daemon owns state

UI closing is not failure. Work continues and reconnects.

Model roles

Svarog: primary execution, synthesis, goal runs
Weles: review, compaction, governance checks
Rarog: lightweight operator assistance

Don't starve governance: Weles needs enough capability for reliable review.

Scenarios

Bug hunt

Goal runner for root-cause analysis, smallest fix, local verification.

Release prep

Thread for discussion, goal for checklist execution and packaging.

Research task

Goals for multi-search, comparison, artifacts, branches.

Remote / SSH

TUI as control room, daemon running remotely, reconnect as needed.

When not to use

Use simple chat for short, disposable work without queueing, goals, approvals, or durable artifacts. Zorai shines when continuity matters.