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Prerequisites

Before installing Mega Brain, ensure you have the following installed on your system:

Node.js

Version 18.0.0 or higherDownload from nodejs.org

Python

Version 3.10 or higherDownload from python.org

Claude Code

Max or Pro plan requiredThe core runtime for Mega Brain

OpenAI API Key

Required for transcriptionGet your key

System Requirements

ComponentRequirementNotes
Operating SystemLinux, macOS, or WindowsWindows requires WSL for best compatibility
Memory4GB RAM minimum8GB+ recommended for processing large files
Storage1GB free spaceMore space needed for your knowledge base
NetworkInternet connectionRequired for API calls and transcription
Mega Brain uses Claude Code as its core runtime. Make sure you have an active Claude Code Max or Pro subscription before proceeding.

Installation Methods

Install Mega Brain globally using npm:
1

Install via npm

Run the installation command:
npm install -g mega-brain-ai
Or use npx to run without installing:
npx mega-brain-ai install
2

Run the setup wizard

The setup wizard will automatically launch on first use:
npx mega-brain-ai setup
This interactive wizard will:
  • Check for Python 3.10+ and Node.js 18+
  • Install Python dependencies (PyYAML)
  • Prompt you to configure API keys
  • Validate your API connections
  • Generate your .env file
3

Verify installation

Check your system status:
npx mega-brain-ai status
Expected output:
Mega Brain v1.3.0

SETUP SUMMARY

Tools
  Python 3 ........... OK  3.10.12
  Node.js ............ OK  18.17.0
  pip install ........ OK  installed

API Keys
  OPENAI_API_KEY ..... OK  sk-...
  VOYAGE_API_KEY ..... OK  pa-...
  Google OAuth ....... SKIP not set

.env file ............ WRITTEN

Local Development Install

For contributors or users who want to modify the source code:
1

Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/your-org/mega-brain.git
cd mega-brain
2

Install dependencies

npm install
3

Install Python dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt
Or with Python 3:
python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt
4

Run setup

npm run install-wizard

Post-Installation Setup

Verify Python Installation

The setup wizard automatically detects Python. If you need to verify manually:
python3 --version
# Should output: Python 3.10.x or higher
Python is required for hooks and intelligence scripts. The minimum version is 3.10, but 3.11+ is recommended for better performance.

Verify Node.js Installation

node --version
# Should output: v18.0.0 or higher

Directory Structure

After installation, your Mega Brain directory will look like this:
mega-brain/
├── .claude/          # Claude Code integration (hooks, skills, commands)
├── agents/           # AI agent definitions and templates
├── artifacts/        # Processing pipeline stages
├── bin/              # CLI tools and entry points
├── core/             # Processing engine and schemas
├── inbox/            # Raw materials input directory
├── knowledge/        # Your knowledge base (playbooks, dossiers)
├── logs/             # Session and processing logs
├── .env              # Your API keys (generated, gitignored)
└── package.json      # Project metadata

Available Packages

Mega Brain comes in different editions based on the layer system:

Layer 1 - Community

Free & Open SourceCore engine, templates, hooks, skills, CLI tools, and agent templates.Perfect for building your own knowledge system from scratch.

Layer 2 - Pro

Premium EditionEverything in Community plus:
  • Pre-populated knowledge base
  • Mind clone agents
  • Full pipeline processing
  • Conclave multi-agent system
Requires MoneyClub membership.

Layer 3 - Personal

Your DataYour personal materials, sessions, and environment configuration.Always stays local and never leaves your machine.

Upgrading Editions

To upgrade from Community to Pro:
npx mega-brain-ai upgrade
You’ll be prompted to validate your MoneyClub email.

Troubleshooting

Python Not Found

If the setup wizard can’t find Python:
  1. Ensure Python 3.10+ is installed from python.org
  2. Add Python to your system PATH
  3. Try using python3 instead of python
  4. Restart your terminal after installation

Node Version Too Old

If your Node.js version is below 18:
# Update Node.js using nvm (recommended)
nvm install 18
nvm use 18

# Or download from nodejs.org

Permission Errors on npm Install

If you get EACCES errors:
# Use npm's built-in permission fix
npx npm-reinstall-global-without-sudo

# Or install without sudo using npx
npx mega-brain-ai install

Python Dependencies Failed

If pip installation fails:
# Install dependencies manually
pip install -r requirements.txt

# Or with Python 3 explicitly
python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt

# On macOS, you may need:
pip3 install --user -r requirements.txt

Next Steps

Quick Start Guide

Learn how to ingest your first material and process it through the pipeline

Configuration

Configure API keys and customize Mega Brain for your workflow

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