Check the prerequisites
You need Node.js 20 or newer and a running Docker runtime with Docker Compose. The default local URL uses port 8000.
Local AnswerLayer
Give this page to your agent
The AnswerLayer CLI downloads a public container image, starts a standalone local stack, and preserves its data in an isolated Docker volume. No private repository or hosted account is required.
Prompt
Copy and send this
Open https://www.answerlayer.io/docs/cli and set up AnswerLayer locally. Follow the agent instructions on that page, ask before connecting any database, and never ask me to paste secrets into chat.
Initialize and start
Run the published npm package directly. Initialization pulls and pins the supported public image; start launches Postgres, runs migrations, and creates a local CLI identity.
npx -y @answerlayer/cli@latest local init npx -y @answerlayer/cli@latest local start Verify before connecting data
Confirm that the runtime is ready and the local credential works. When you connect real data, use a dedicated database user restricted to approved schemas and SELECT only.
npx -y @answerlayer/cli@latest local status --json npx -y @answerlayer/cli@latest auth me --json First boot does not require Git, an AnswerLayer account, a model-provider key, or registry credentials. Model-backed features need provider configuration later.