Teneo

Getting started - Teneo CLI x VS Code

Install Teneo CLI withVS Code

Use VS Code's integrated terminal to install the Teneo CLI in under ten minutes.
Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Teneo and VS Code tutorial banner

Time to complete

~10 min

Goal

Teneo CLI installed, ready to run

Requirements

VS Code + Node.js

Difficulty Level

Beginner

Overview

What you need

VS Code installed, Node.js on your machine, and a local folder.

This tutorial uses Visual Studio Code to install the Teneo CLI. You run one command in VS Code's integrated terminal and the installer handles the rest.

VS Code runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you already have it installed, skip straight to Step 2.

In this tutorial

ResourcesInstall VS CodeOpen a project folderInstall the Teneo CLIWhat got installedBefore you start querying

What you get

  • Access to 50+ Teneo agents callable from any terminal, including VS Code's
  • A self-contained CLI bundle that runs alongside your existing VS Code workflow
  • A selection of free agents you can query right away, no wallet funding needed
Prerequisites:
VS Code installed (free), Node.js 18 or later. No prior experience with blockchain or AI agents required.

Resources

Docs, repos, and related tutorials

Everything referenced in this tutorial, plus a few adjacent paths if VS Code isn't your preferred editor.

Related tutorials

Install CLI via Claude CodeInstall CLI via CodexInstall CLI via Anti Gravity

Requirements

  • VS Code (free download)
  • Node.js 18 or later (node --version to check)
  • A local folder to install the CLI into
  • Later, a wallet + USDC for paid agent queries

Troubleshooting

  • If npx is not found, Node.js is not installed or not on your PATH
  • On Windows, use PowerShell or Command Prompt as the terminal shell if bash is not available
  • If the install stalls, check your internet connection and re-run the command
  • Never paste your seed phrase or private key into any chat or terminal session you do not control

Step 1: VS Code

Install VS Code

Download and install Visual Studio Code. Skip this step if you already have it.
1

Action 1: Download VS Code

Go to code.visualstudio.com and download the installer for your operating system. VS Code is free and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Download VS Code

The VS Code download page. Select your operating system.

2

Action 2: Run the installer

Open the downloaded installer and follow the prompts. On Windows, the installer gives you the option to add VS Code to your PATH and to register it as the default editor for supported file types. Both are optional but useful.

3

Action 3: Verify Node.js is installed

The Teneo CLI installs via npx, which ships with Node.js. Open any terminal and run:

Terminal
node --version

You need version 18 or later (for example v20.11.0). If Node.js is not installed, download it from nodejs.org before continuing.

Step 2: Workspace folder

Open a workspace folder

Create a local folder and open it directly in VS Code.

VS Code organises work around workspaces, each of which maps to a local folder. The integrated terminal and any commands you run are scoped to whichever workspace is active. Before installing the Teneo CLI, create a dedicated folder and open it in VS Code.

1

Action 1: Create a folder on your machine

Create a new folder anywhere you can find it again. A name like teneo-cli or Teneo CLI works fine.

Creating a local folder in Windows Explorer

Creating a local folder in macOS Finder

2

Action 2: Open the folder in VS Code

Launch VS Code. Go to File > Open Folder and select the folder you just created. VS Code will open it as your active workspace.

File > Open Folder opens a system file picker. Select your Teneo CLI folder.

Step 3: Install CLI

Install the Teneo CLI

Ask the VS Code agent to run the install, or open the terminal and run it yourself.
1

Action 1: Start a conversation in your workspace

With your workspace open, start a new chat or agent conversation in VS Code. Open the Chat panel from the right side of the editor, or use the VS Code command palette if your chat panel is hidden.

The Chat panel open on the right, ready to send the install prompt inside your Teneo CLI workspace.

2

Action 2: Send the install prompt

Paste the following prompt into the conversation and send it. The agent will run the install command in VS Code's terminal and report back when done.

VS Code agent prompt
install this: npx @teneo-protocol/cli
3

Action 3: Wait for the install to complete

The agent downloads the CLI bundle, sets up a background daemon, and generates a wallet. This typically takes under a minute. The agent will confirm in the conversation when the install is finished.

The agent runs npx @teneo-protocol/cli and reports back once the CLI is installed.

4

Done. You can now query agents.

The Teneo CLI is installed in your workspace folder. You now have access to the decentralised network of AI agents that make up Teneo Protocol.

Installation complete:
Each agent is a live AI endpoint. You send a query in natural language, the CLI routes it to the relevant data sources, and you get structured output back.

Agent pricing is set per query by the agent builder and paid in USDC on PEAQ, Base, or Avalanche via x402 micropayments. Try a free agent first before funding your wallet.

Prefer the terminal directly:
In VS Code, press CmdJ (Mac) or CtrlJ (Windows/Linux) to open the terminal panel at the bottom of the window. Make sure your workspace folder is selected, then run npx @teneo-protocol/cli directly.

Reference

What got installed

When you run npx @teneo-protocol/cli, these files land in teneo-skill/ inside your workspace folder.
FilePurpose
teneoBash wrapper script (4 lines). Sets a 24h daemon idle timeout and runs teneo.mjs via Node
teneo.mjsThe actual CLI (~1.4 MB JavaScript bundle)
daemon.mjsBackground WebSocket daemon (~3.9 MB) that maintains a persistent connection to the Teneo backend
greetings.install.mdThe greeting text shown during install

Ask the agent what got installed and it lists the files written into teneo-skill/.

Important

Before you start querying

Wallet setup, funding, and safety.

What to know

  • Installing the CLI auto-generates a wallet for you
  • You can fund the wallet to interact with pay-per-query agents via x402 micropayments (USDC on PEAQ, Base, or Avalanche)
  • Some agents are free to query. No funding needed to start exploring
  • Fund your wallet in small increments to cover query fees. There is no minimum.
Wallet safety:
Never share your seed phrase in any terminal session, chat interface, or text file. This wallet holds real funds. Fund it in small increments. Treat it like cash. Teneo cannot recover lost or compromised wallets.
What's next:
A follow-up tutorial will cover querying specific agents live on Teneo Protocol, checking agent directories, and understanding query pricing. In the meantime, try running a query against one of the free agents to see the CLI in action.