> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.modusbrain.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Quickstart > Install ModusBrain, create a local brain, and run your first operational workflow. This guide gets you from a terminal to a working local ModusBrain setup. You will install the CLI, create a brain, compile a draft operational skill, approve it, and inspect the audit record. Use this path for a local setup. You can later connect the same brain to an MCP-compatible agent such as Claude Code or Codex. ## Before you begin * A terminal on macOS, Linux, or Windows. * [Bun](https://bun.sh) 1.3.10+ or Node.js 18+. * A folder of notes, docs, or project files you want to use as source material. ## 1. Install the CLI ```bash theme={null} npm install -g @genthropic/modusbrain # or bun install -g @genthropic/modusbrain ``` ## 2. Create a local brain The default setup uses PGLite: an embedded database that runs locally and needs no server. ```bash theme={null} modusbrain init modusbrain apply-migrations --yes modusbrain doctor ``` `modusbrain doctor` checks your installation and tells you exactly how to fix common configuration problems. ## 3. Add your first source Import a folder of Markdown files or point ModusBrain at a project you want to search. ```bash theme={null} modusbrain import ~/my-knowledge modusbrain search "what is in this knowledge base?" ``` ## 4. Create an operational skill An operational skill turns approved guidance in your brain into a reusable workflow. ```bash theme={null} modusbrain opskill compile "refund handling" --risk-tier low_stakes modusbrain opskill show refund-handling ``` ## 5. Approve and run it New skills start as drafts. Review the draft, approve it, then run it with the task context. ```bash theme={null} modusbrain opskill approve refund-handling --by owner@company.com modusbrain opskill execute refund-handling \ --task "Process a $300 refund for order #1204" \ --context '{"amount":300}' ``` ## 6. Review what happened ```bash theme={null} modusbrain opskill audit --slug refund-handling --json ``` The audit record shows the skill version, inputs, confidence result, and outcome. ## Next steps Give Codex or another MCP client access to the brain you just created. Understand draft, approval, execution, correction, and audit stages. Move from a local setup to shared company knowledge. Find the CLI commands available in this distribution.