Setup

Detailed guide~15 min

Complete setup instructions with troubleshooting for each step. Same three steps as Quickstart, but with expanded details for first-time developers.

Read this if you're new to development or want step-by-step guidance. For experienced devs, the Quickstart is faster.

Before you begin

You'll need:

  • Node.js 20+ installed
  • pnpm package manager
  • Git installed
  • VS Code with Copilot (or similar AI editor)

Quick checks:

node --version
pnpm --version

No pnpm? npm i -g pnpm

1

Create your repo from template

Use the GitHub template to create your own copy of Catalyst. Never clone directly — your commits would target the wrong repo.

  1. Open Catalyst on GitHub
  2. Click Use this template → Create a new repository
  3. Name your project, choose visibility, and create
  4. Copy your repo URL from the green Code button
  5. Clone to your machine:
git clone https://github.com/YOUR-ORG/my-project.git

Never clone Catalyst directly — always use the template.

Don't have access? Contact RIVER Group

2

Run /setup with AI

Open your project in VS Code, start a new AI chat, and run the setup command. It handles everything automatically.

/setup

Or attach .catalyst/commands/setup.md if your IDE doesn't support slash commands.

Success: You should see localhost:3000

The dev server starts automatically at http://localhost:3000

3

Start building

You're ready to go. Choose your path:

This is your default command. Use it to start every AI chat — it loads your project context and primes the AI on best practices.

/code

Or attach the command file: .catalyst/commands/code.md

Try your first prompt:

Update the landing page with a hero, features, and CTA for my project

Other commands to know

All commands →
/brief

Create PRDs and scope features

/build

Build from an approved brief

/review

Review work against requirements

Dev reference

Terminal commands

pnpm devStart server
pnpm buildBuild for prod
pnpm lintCheck code
Ctrl+CStop server

VS Code shortcuts

Ctrl+Shift+IOpen Copilot
Ctrl+Shift+PCommand palette
Ctrl+`Open terminal
Ctrl+SSave file

Troubleshooting

You only do setup once. After this, development is just opening your project, running pnpm dev, and using /code to start coding with AI.

What's next?

Project dashboard

Track project state, briefs, and progress

Make it yours

Customise colours, radius, fonts, and more

Coding standards

Conventions and AI-friendly patterns

Quickstart

The condensed version if you need a refresher