Install & setup

VibeBar is a desktop app. No server, no API keys, no account. Install it, pick a project, and you are ready.

Requirements

Requirement	Notes
Windows 10+	Required. macOS and Linux are not supported yet.
Node.js 20+	Only if you build from source.
Git	Needed for git status, diff prompts, and pack-changed.
Cursor or another editor	Optional. Quick Launch can open Cursor on your active project.

Install from a release

This is the easiest path.

1. Go to Releases (currently 1.1.0 pre-release).
2. Download the latest installer or portable .exe.
3. Run it and launch VibeBar.

Build from source

From the repo root:

npm install
npm run dev

To produce a Windows installer:

npm run build
npm run dist

First launch

When VibeBar opens:

1. A floating toolbar appears on the edge of your screen (left by default).
2. If no project is selected, the onboarding wizard opens.

Onboarding (5 steps)

Step	What happens
Welcome	Short overview of handoffs, packing, audits, and the terminal.
Project	Choose a project folder, or skip for now.
Cursor	Optionally point Quick Launch at your Cursor install.
Context	Optionally create an AI Context/ folder in the project.
Session	Intro to Session Hub and Copy handoff.

Use Skip, Don't show again, or finish with Got it — start vibing. Any of those dismisses the wizard for good.

Select a project

Almost everything in VibeBar is scoped to one project folder.

• Click the folder icon on the toolbar to browse or pick a recent project.
• Or press Ctrl+Shift+P and choose Switch project… or a recent entry.

VibeBar remembers your last 10 projects. When you switch, it detects your stack in the background (language, framework, test runner, and similar signals).

AI Context folder (optional)

Many teams keep assistant-readable material in <project>/AI Context/. VibeBar can create this folder during onboarding, or anytime from the AI Context button next to the project picker (folder icon with a plus).

That folder is where Code Sync mirrors land, screenshot snips save, and you can add your own docs.

Connect Cursor Agent (optional)

For the tightest Cursor loop, open the Cursor Agent button (plug icon) on the toolbar and enable the MCP server. Cursor can then read your live session state — intent, Ready Check, git status, audit summary, and more — without you pasting anything.

1. Click Cursor Agent → Enable MCP server for Cursor. Status should read Running on 127.0.0.1:17342.
2. Click Copy mcp.json snippet and merge it into %USERPROFILE%\.cursor\mcp.json (or a project-level .cursor/mcp.json).
3. Restart Cursor or reload MCP servers, then keep VibeBar open.

The toolbar button glows green while Cursor is actively connected. See MCP server for the full resource and tool catalog.

Dock and monitors

Open Settings to move the toolbar to the left, top, or right edge, or to choose which monitors show it. There is no bottom dock option.

What to read next

1. Your first session for a hands-on walkthrough.
2. Toolbar & tools for the full tool list.
3. Keyboard shortcuts for the three global hotkeys.

Toolbar missing?

Press Ctrl+Shift+H, or use the system tray icon → Show toolbar. See Troubleshooting for more.