Get started
Step-by-step wizard — pick a surface and install Prism in a few minutes.
Follow the steps below. You do not need to clone the Prism GitHub repo — published packages are enough.
1. Prerequisites
Node.js 26+ — check with node -v (should start with v26).
A project folder — TypeScript / JavaScript repository. Open or cd into it.
Git is recommended but not required.
Pick one surface to start — you can add others later. They share the same engine.
2. Install a surface
Choose the lane that matches how you work:
Terminal and CI. Fastest way to try Prism.
Open a terminal inside your project:
cd /path/to/your/projectCheck the environment (workspace resolves from the git root):
npx -y @repo-prism/cli doctorRun your first analyses:
npx -y @repo-prism/cli dna
npx -y @repo-prism/cli healthOptional — install globally:
npm install -g @repo-prism/cli
prism doctorFull detail: CLI install · CLI usage
3. Confirm it works
| Surface | You should see |
|---|---|
| CLI | doctor prints a workspace path; dna / health print reports |
| IDE | Prism panel opens after indexing |
| MCP | ~28 tools listed; agent answers with repository structure |
4. What’s next
- Quickstart — five minutes of analysis commands
- Understand a repo — first task guide
- Before you edit — blast radius before a change
- What Prism writes —
.prism/cache