Install the Arcade agent plugin

This guide is for agent developers installing Arcade in their own coding agent or desktop client. Personal installs use Arcade’s hosted gateway without creating or configuring a gateway.

Outcomes

Install the Arcade plugin in a supported client and connect to its hosted gateway.

Prerequisites

A supported client: Cursor, Claude Code, VS Code, GitHub Copilot CLI, Codex, or Claude Desktop
An Arcade
For Claude Code, Claude Cowork, Cursor CLI, and GitHub Copilot CLI: Node.js on the PATH of the host that launches their routing hooks. Those hooks run node. Cursor IDE and Cloud , VS Code, Codex, and Claude Desktop Chat do not need Node.js.

Install

The cross-client npx plugins add command does not finish every client install. Use the client-native steps below so the gateway and every supported plugin component load together. The install commands below use the plugin repository and are not pinned to a release.

Claude Code

Add the Arcade marketplace and install the plugin:

Terminal


claude plugin marketplace add ArcadeAI/arcade-plugin
claude plugin install arcade@arcade

Run /reload-plugins if Claude Code is already open.
Verify the install with claude plugin list or /plugin.

Codex

Add the Arcade marketplace and install the plugin:

Terminal


codex plugin marketplace add ArcadeAI/arcade-plugin
codex plugin add arcade@arcade

Start a new Codex session or ChatGPT desktop chat.
Open /plugins and confirm arcade is installed and enabled.
Confirm the arcade server is connected.

Cursor

Local installation

For an individual plan, or a Teams or Enterprise plan with Allow Local Plugin Imports enabled:

Clone the plugin into Cursor’s local plugin directory:

Terminal


git clone https://github.com/ArcadeAI/arcade-plugin ~/.cursor/plugins/local/arcade-plugin

Run Developer: Reload Window.
Open Customize and confirm the two Arcade skills, arcade-operator, rule, and server are present.

Keep the clone inside ~/.cursor/plugins/local/. Cursor ignores symlinks to folders outside that directory.

To update the plugin later:

Run git pull in ~/.cursor/plugins/local/arcade-plugin.
Run Developer: Reload Window.

Team marketplace alternative

Enterprise turns Allow Local Plugin Imports off by default. When it is off, Cursor ignores ~/.cursor/plugins/local. Use a team marketplace:

An admin opens Dashboard → Plugins & MCPs → Team Marketplaces → Add Marketplace → Import from Repo and pastes https://github.com/ArcadeAI/arcade-plugin.
Each person opens Customize, finds Arcade, and selects Install.

VS Code

Open the Command Palette and select Chat: Install Plugin From Source.

Paste the repository URL:

TEXT


https://github.com/ArcadeAI/arcade-plugin

Turn on chat.plugins.enabled if needed, then reload VS Code.
Confirm Arcade appears under Plugins → Installed.
Run : List Servers, select arcade, and choose Start Server.
Sign in when prompted, then return to VS Code and continue the original task.

Copilot CLI

Install with Copilot CLI’s plugin command:
Terminal
```
copilot plugin install ArcadeAI/arcade-plugin
```
Restart the session or run /restart.

Claude Desktop

Open Customize → Plugins → Add marketplace → Add from a repository.
Paste ArcadeAI/arcade-plugin.
Install Arcade (arcade@arcade).
Start a new conversation.

For Claude Code inside the desktop app, you can also use the commands in the Claude Code tab.

Arcade separates gateway sign-in from app authorization:

Into the gateway. Your client asks you to sign in when it first connects. Sign in to Arcade in the browser so your client can connect to the gateway.
Into each app. When a task needs an app, your gives you a browser sign-in link for the required permissions. After approval, Arcade stores the authorization. You may need to reconnect if the connection expires or a later task needs additional permissions.

After you finish in the browser, return to your and continue the original task. Arcade does not resume it for you.

You never give your agent an or a password for either layer. To check or manage connections, ask your to “Check my Arcade connection,” “Show my connected apps,” or “Connect Google.” You can connect an app before you need it. Clients that support Arcade commands also provide command shortcuts.

Arcade uses the app connections authorized for your signed-in identity. Authorize only the you intend the to use.

Next steps

What’s included: plugin components and client support
Connect to MCP clients: configure a client against a gateway you control
Integrations catalog: every app and toolkit Arcade supports
Agentic development: point your at these docs with llms.txt

Last updated on October 16, 2026

About Arcade What's included

Install the Arcade agent plugin

Outcomes

Prerequisites

Install

Claude Code

Codex

Cursor

VS Code

Copilot CLI

Claude Desktop

Sign in

Next steps