Kiln
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Installation and setup

This guide sets up your computer for Kiln. You will:

  • Install the tools that Kiln uses
  • Install Herdr
  • Put the kiln command on your path

You can let your coding agent check each tool with one prompt, or do them by hand. Both end in the same place.

#Before you start

  • Node.js 24 or later.
  • Claude Code, on a plan that can run it.
  • A GitHub account.
  • A copy of the kiln folder. Kiln is private for now, because factories-hub has no license.

Kiln has run on Linux only.

Let your agent check your computer

Paste this prompt into Claude Code. It installs nothing until you say yes.

Check this computer for Kiln. For each tool, say if it is there and its version: git, node (24 or later), npm, gh, aws, claude, herdr-app, hc. Then run `gh auth status` and `aws sts get-caller-identity`, and do not print a token. Give me one table. For each tool that is missing, give the command to install it on this system, and ask me before you run it.

#Set up by hand

  1. #Install the tools

    Kiln uses git, node, npm, gh and claude. It also uses aws when you connect CI and reviews. Sign in to GitHub.

    gh auth login

  2. #Install Herdr

    Herdr is a desktop app for terminals and coding agents. Kiln uses it for the Factory panel. This also installs hc, its command line tool.

    curl -fsSL https://releases.herdr.dev/app/install.sh | sh

  3. #Put kiln on your path

    Keep the folder where it can stay, because the command runs from it. Then add it to your path.

    ln -s "$PWD/kiln/bin/kiln" ~/.local/bin/kiln

    Run kiln. It prints its commands.

#Next

Start a product.