# Installation

## Prerequisites

- [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) 24 or later
- A [JavaScript](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript)/[TypeScript](https://www.typescriptlang.org/) project (or starting fresh)
**Note:** xtarterize requires a [`package.json`](https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v10/configuring-npm/package-json) with a `name` field and an initialized [Git](https://git-scm.com/) repository. These are validated by the preflight checks before any changes are made.

## Run Without Installing

You can use xtarterize without installing it globally by using `npx`:

```bash
npx xtarterize init
```

This is the recommended approach — you always get the latest version.

## Verify It Works

```bash
npx xtarterize --version
npx xtarterize --help
```

## Next Steps

1. **Initialize a project** — Run `init` to detect and apply conformance. [Learn more →](/xtarterize/getting-started/initialization/)
2. **Check status** — Run `check` to audit current conformance. [CLI Reference →](/xtarterize/guide/cli/overview/)
3. **Explore tasks** — See what conformance tasks are available. [Tasks Guide →](/xtarterize/guide/tasks/overview/)

## References

- [Node.js Downloads](https://nodejs.org/) — Download the latest LTS version
- [npm npx Documentation](https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v10/commands/npx) — Using npx to run packages without installing
- [Git Documentation](https://git-scm.com/doc) — Getting started with Git version control

[Initialize your project →](/xtarterize/getting-started/initialization/)