parallel-cli-setup

Q: How do I install parallel-cli-setup?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/parallel-web/parallel-agent-skills --skill parallel-cli-setup in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/parallel-cli-setup/ (personal) or .claude/skills/parallel-cli-setup/ (project).

by parallel-web OfficialBackend & APIs

Set up and maintain the Parallel CLI (install, auth, balance, skills install)

Installs: 6K
Last 24h: +27
Trending rank: #4679
Security: Pass

Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/parallel-web/parallel-agent-skills --skill parallel-cli-setup

01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads parallel-cli-setup automatically when relevant.
03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.

Security audits

Independent scans of the skill's instructions and bundled files.

Gen Agent Trust Hub PassSAFE ·This skill provides a standard setup workflow for the Parallel CLI. It installs official vendor packages via established package managers and handles authentication through a secure OAuth device flow using the vendor's official platform.

Socket PassNo alerts

Snyk PassLOW ·Risk: LOW · No issues

SKILL.md

The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.

Parallel CLI Setup

Set up or maintain parallel-cli with minimal friction. If you are running this prompt, your goal is to follow the instructions below and set up parallel-cli for the user so that they can execute searches, run extracts, deep research, etc.

Step 1: Install or upgrade the CLI

Check whether the CLI exists:

command -v parallel-cli

If missing, install with any of these methods:

macOS only: brew install parallel-web/tap/parallel-cli
Linux/macOS/Windows (uv): uv tool install "parallel-web-tools[cli]"
Linux/macOS/Windows (npm): npm install -g parallel-web-cli
Linux/macOS/Windows (pipx): pipx install "parallel-web-tools[cli]" && pipx ensurepath

When parallel-cli is present, require version >=0.9.2. If older, identify the install method before advising an update. Use command -v parallel-cli, then inspect readlink "$(command -v parallel-cli)" if it is a symlink. Paths under ~/.local/share/uv/ tools/ indicate uv tool install; paths under ~/.local/share/parallel-cli/ indicate the standalone installer.

Upgrade commands (choose based on how it was installed):

standalone: parallel-cli update
uv: uv tool upgrade parallel-web-tools[cli]
pipx: pipx upgrade parallel-web-tools[cli]
npm: npm update -g parallel-web-cli
homebrew: brew update && brew upgrade parallel-web/tap/parallel-cli

Step 2: Authenticate

Check auth status:

parallel-cli auth --json

You will get a response like:

{
  "authenticated": true,
  "method": "oauth",
  "env_var_set": false,
  "has_stored_credentials": true,
  "stored_overridden_by_env": false,
  "token_file": "xxx",
  "version": 1,
  "selected_org_id": "legacy",
  "selected_org_name": null,
  "has_control_api_tokens": false
}

If authenticated is false or selected_org_id is legacy, prompt the user to log in:

parallel-cli login --json

If this is a headless session, append --no-browser.

This triggers device OAuth. The user will be prompted to go to a web browser and input the code the CLI outputs.

When invoking from an agent harness, prefer streaming stdout via a Monitor-style tool over blocking on completion.

The output will look like:

{"event": "auth_start"}
{"event": "device_code", "verification_uri": "http://localhost:3000/getServiceKeys/device", "verification_uri_complete": "http://localhost:3000/getServiceKeys/device?user_code=CHQX-NQKP&onboard_variant=agent", "user_code": "CHQX-NQKP", "expires_in": 600, "browser_open_attempted": true, "browser_opened": true}
{"event": "auth_waiting"}
{"event": "auth_success"}

{"event": "auth_success"} is emitted only after the user has successfully authorized the CLI. Otherwise it blocks at {"event": "auth_waiting"}.

Step 3: Check balance

After authentication, check the current balance:

parallel-cli balance get

If zero, prompt the user to add balance:

parallel-cli balance add <AMOUNT_IN_CENTS>

Make it clear that a payment method should have been added to the organization. If not, the user can go to https://platform.parallel.ai/settings to add one.

Step 4: Install the Parallel skills

Install the skills for the user:

parallel-cli skills install

The user may need to restart their agent if it doesn't support hot reloading.

Step 5: Suggest a first run

Prompt the user to use the newly installed skills to run a search or extract right away. Suggest one of (use $ instead of / for Codex):

/parallel-web-search <query> — fast web search
/parallel-web-extract <url> — extract content from a URL
/parallel-deep-research <topic> — comprehensive research
/parallel-data-enrichment <list> — enrich a list of entities

FAQ

What does the parallel-cli-setup skill do?

Set up and maintain the Parallel CLI (install, auth, balance, skills install)

How do I install parallel-cli-setup?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/parallel-web/parallel-agent-skills --skill parallel-cli-setup in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/parallel-cli-setup/ (personal) or .claude/skills/parallel-cli-setup/ (project).

Which AI agents can use parallel-cli-setup?

Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.

Is parallel-cli-setup safe to install?

Security partners have reviewed it: Gen Agent Trust Hub passed; Socket passed; Snyk passed. As with any skill, read the SKILL.md and bundled scripts before installing.

Who maintains parallel-cli-setup?

It is published by parallel-web in parallel-web/parallel-agent-skills, and it is an official skill from the maker of the technology it covers. It has 5,990 recorded installs.