How to Connect AI Agents to Timestripe: Step-by-Step Guide | Timestripe
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How to Connect AI Agents to Timestripe: A Step-by-Step Guide

15 minutes read
AI agents connected to Timestripe on a desktop computer

Connecting an AI agent to Timestripe lets you manage your entire workflow using plain language. Think of it as a smart assistant that can instantly reschedule unfinished goals, organize your inbox notes, plan your week, or summarize team activity.

To set this up, you just need to install the Timestripe CLI. Then you can use it through any AI agent that can run terminal commands — whether it lives in your terminal or in a desktop app.

All you need to get started is a Timestripe account. Even if you've never opened a terminal before, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire setup.

What is a CLI?

CLI stands for command-line interface. It is a way to use an application by entering text commands in a terminal instead of clicking through a graphical interface.

The Timestripe CLI is the command-line version of Timestripe. It can list, create, update, complete, and organize your goals, boards, spaces, and other Timestripe data.

You can use these commands yourself in a terminal. You can also let an AI agent run them for you — from the terminal or from a desktop application with terminal access. In that case, the CLI acts as a bridge between the agent and your Timestripe account.

Is it safe?

Yes — you stay in control throughout the process:

  • Agents ask before they act. By default, agents request permission before running a command. You can review, approve, or reject each action.
  • You can start read-only. To let an agent view your data without changing it, log in with timestripe auth login --read-only. Commands that attempt to make changes will fail.
  • Access is revocable. Run timestripe auth logout, or revoke the token in Timestripe under Settings → API keys.
  • Nothing runs automatically. The CLI acts only when you or an agent you've authorized runs it.

Set up on macOS

Step 1: Install the Timestripe CLI

On macOS, the Timestripe CLI is installed through Homebrew, a popular package manager.

  1. Check whether you already have Homebrew. Open Terminal (press Cmd + Space, type “Terminal,” and press Enter) and run:
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    If you see a version number, continue with installing the Timestripe CLI. If the command is not found, install Homebrew by running:

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    The installer asks for your Mac password. The terminal will not display the password as you type — not even dots or asterisks. This is normal: type it carefully and press Enter.

    Then it shows a list of the files and folders it is about to create and waits for your confirmation. Read it if you like, then press Enter to continue.

    When the installation finishes, it prints a “Next steps” section. Homebrew is installed at this point, but your terminal doesn’t know about it yet, so you have to run the three commands listed there: two echo commands and one eval command. Copy the lines printed on your screen and run them one at a time.

  2. Install the Timestripe CLI:
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  3. Connect your Timestripe account. Run the login command:
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    Standard access lets your agent both view and update your Timestripe data. If you prefer to start with view-only access, use timestripe auth login --read-only instead.

  4. A browser window will open. Log in to Timestripe and approve the connection.
  5. Check that everything works by running:
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    If you see your account details, the Timestripe CLI is ready to go.

Step 2: Set up your AI agent

The Timestripe CLI works with two types of AI tools:

  • Terminal-based agents: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor Agent, OpenCode, and others.
  • Desktop apps with terminal access: Cursor, Claude Desktop, the Codex app, and similar software.
Desktop agents on macOS

If you already use a compatible agent, you're all set — open it and skip to the Try your first prompts section.

If you don’t have an agent yet, use the guides below to install one. Compare their features and pricing, choose the one that suits you, and follow its setup instructions. Once installed, your agent will be able to use the Timestripe CLI to view and manage your Timestripe data.

Claude Code

Sign up at claude.ai and ensure you have a Pro plan (or higher), or add API credits at platform.claude.com. The free plan does not include Claude Code.

  1. Open Terminal and run the installation script:
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  2. Add Claude Code to your PATH by running:
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  3. Install the Timestripe skill. The CLI ships with a skill file — a short instruction sheet that tells Claude Code which Timestripe commands exist and how to call them. Run:
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  4. Start the agent by running:
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    On the first launch, Claude Code asks you to pick a color theme — use the arrow keys to select one and press Enter. It then asks how you want to log in: choose Claude account with subscription if you have a Pro or Max plan, or Anthropic Console account if you're paying with API credits, and press Enter.

  5. A browser window will open automatically. Log in using your Claude account and approve the connection.

    Both Claude Code and the Timestripe CLI are now set up and ready for your first prompts.

Codex

Sign up at chatgpt.com. You can start with a free account — the free tier has the lowest usage limits, so heavy use may eventually require a paid plan.

  1. Open Terminal and run the installation script:
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    If the script asks for confirmation before it continues, type Y and press Enter.

  2. Start the agent by running:
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    When the terminal asks how to sign in, select Sign in with ChatGPT.

  3. A browser window will open automatically. Log in using your account and approve the connection.

    Both Codex and the Timestripe CLI are now set up and ready for your first prompts.

Cursor Agent

Sign up at cursor.com. New accounts include a free trial of premium features, which then converts to a free tier with a limited number of monthly AI requests.

  1. Open Terminal and run the installation script:
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  2. Start the agent by running:
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    When it asks, press any key to open the login page.

  3. A browser window will open. Log in with your Cursor account to authorize the CLI.

    Both Cursor Agent and the Timestripe CLI are now set up and ready for your first prompts.

OpenCode

OpenCode is completely free and open-source. You can use its built-in free models, or link your own API keys from providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google, paying only for the tokens you actually use.

  1. Open Terminal and run the installation script:
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    The installer adds OpenCode to your PATH. Close the Terminal window and open a new one so the change takes effect.

  2. (Optional) Connect your own model provider:
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    Follow the terminal prompts to select your provider and paste your API key. If you plan to use the built‑in free models, you can skip this step.

  3. Start the agent interface to confirm the setup:
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    Once the interactive terminal dashboard opens, both OpenCode and the Timestripe CLI are set up and ready for your first prompts.

Set up on Windows

Step 1: Install the Timestripe CLI

On Windows, the Timestripe CLI is built from source using Go. The installation requires just a few commands.

  1. Install Go. Open PowerShell (Win + X and select Terminal on Windows 11 or Windows PowerShell on Windows 10) and run:
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    If winget asks you to accept the source agreements, type Y and press Enter. When Windows asks whether to allow changes, click Yes.

  2. Close your current PowerShell window and open a new one so that it picks up Go. Then build and install the Timestripe CLI:
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  3. Add Go’s binary directory to your PATH:
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    Open a fresh PowerShell window one more time to apply the path changes.

  4. Connect your Timestripe account:
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    Standard access lets your agent both view and update your Timestripe data. If you prefer to start with view-only access, use timestripe auth login --read-only instead.

  5. A browser window will open. Log in to Timestripe and approve the connection.
  6. Check that everything works by running:
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    If you see your account details, the Timestripe CLI is ready to go.

Step 2: Set up your AI agent

The Timestripe CLI works with two types of AI tools:

  • Terminal-based agents: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor Agent, OpenCode, and others.
  • Desktop apps with terminal access: Cursor, Claude Desktop, the Codex app, and similar software.
Desktop agents on Windows

If you already use a compatible agent, you're all set — open it and skip to the Try your first prompts section.

If you don’t have an agent yet, use the guides below to install one. Compare their features and pricing, choose the one that suits you, and follow its setup instructions. Once installed, your agent will be able to use the Timestripe CLI to view and manage your Timestripe data.

Claude Code

Sign up at claude.ai and ensure you have a Pro plan (or higher), or add API credits at platform.claude.com. The free plan does not include Claude Code.

  1. Open PowerShell (Win + X and select Terminal on Windows 11 or Windows PowerShell on Windows 10) and run the installation script:
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    Close your current PowerShell window. Open a new Windows PowerShell window to apply the changes.

  2. Add Claude’s folder to your PATH by running:
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    Close your current PowerShell window. Open a new Windows PowerShell window to apply the changes.

  3. Install the Timestripe skill — a short instruction sheet that tells Claude Code which Timestripe commands exist and how to call them. Create the folder for it:
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    Then download the file:

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  4. Start the agent by running:
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    On the first launch, Claude Code asks you to pick a color theme — use the arrow keys to select one and press Enter. It then asks how you want to log in: choose Claude account with subscription if you have a Pro or Max plan, or Anthropic Console account if you're paying with API credits, and press Enter.

  5. A browser window will open automatically. Log in using your Claude account and approve the connection.

    Both Claude Code and the Timestripe CLI are now set up and ready for your first prompts.

Codex

Sign up at chatgpt.com. You can start with a free account — the free tier has the lowest usage limits, so heavy use may eventually require a paid plan.

  1. Open PowerShell (Win + X and select Terminal on Windows 11 or Windows PowerShell on Windows 10) and run the installation script:
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    Close your current PowerShell window. Open a new Windows PowerShell window to apply the changes.

  2. Start the agent by running:
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    When the terminal asks how to sign in, select Sign in with ChatGPT.

  3. A browser window will open automatically. Log in using your account and approve the connection.

    Both Codex and the Timestripe CLI are now set up and ready for your first prompts.

Cursor Agent

Sign up at cursor.com. New accounts include a free trial of premium features, which then converts to a free tier with a limited number of monthly AI requests.

  1. Open PowerShell (Win + X and select Terminal on Windows 11 or Windows PowerShell on Windows 10) and run the installation script:
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    Close your current PowerShell window. Open a new Windows PowerShell window to apply the changes.

  2. Allow local scripts to run. By default, Windows blocks the scripts that Cursor Agent uses to start, so run:
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    When PowerShell asks you to confirm the change, type Y and press Enter. This setting applies to your user account only and does not require administrator rights.

  3. Start the agent by running:
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    When it asks, press any key to open the login page.

  4. A browser window will open. Log in with your Cursor account to authorize the CLI.

    Both Cursor Agent and the Timestripe CLI are now set up and ready for your first prompts.

OpenCode

OpenCode is completely free and open-source. You can use its built-in free models, or link your own API keys from providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google, paying only for the tokens you actually use.

On Windows, OpenCode installs through Scoop, a lightweight package manager that does not require administrator rights.

  1. Open PowerShell (Win + X and select Terminal on Windows 11 or Windows PowerShell on Windows 10) and allow local scripts to run:
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    When PowerShell asks you to confirm the change, type Y and press Enter.

    Close your current PowerShell window. Open a new Windows PowerShell window to apply the changes.

  2. Run the script to install Scoop:
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    Close your current PowerShell window. Open a new Windows PowerShell window to apply the changes.

  3. Install OpenCode by running:
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    Close your current PowerShell window. Open a new Windows PowerShell window to apply the changes.

  4. (Optional) Connect your own model provider:
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    Follow the terminal prompts to select your provider and paste your API key. Note that Ctrl + V often does not work in PowerShell — right-click instead to paste. If you plan to use the built-in free models, you can skip this step.

  5. Start the agent interface to confirm the setup:
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    Once the interactive terminal dashboard opens, both OpenCode and the Timestripe CLI are set up and ready for your first prompts.

Try your first prompts

Open your desktop agent with terminal access, or start a terminal agent with its command (claude, codex, agent, or opencode).

When you start a new chat, name the Timestripe CLI in your first prompt so your agent picks the right tool right away (unless you installed the skill for Claude Code, which already knows about it). For example:

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From there the agent keeps the CLI in mind, and you can talk in plain language: “move the overdue ones to Friday” or “break today’s goals into smaller steps.”

Start with read-only prompts. These work even if you logged in with --read-only, so they're a safe way to see how your agent handles Timestripe data:

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Then move on to prompts that create something. These need standard access, and your agent will ask for permission before each change:

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The best prompts answer three questions:

  • Where should the agent look? Specify spaces, boards, buckets, goals, comments, events, folders, memberships, or your profile.
  • What should it do? Ask it to list, create, update, complete, move, or delete something.
  • Where should the result go? Name a board or horizon, provide a due date, or ask for a summary in the chat or a document.

A generic prompt like “Help me with my tasks” leaves the agent guessing. A much more actionable prompt would be:

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Your agent and Timestripe are now successfully working together. Start with a simple weekly review or a quick workspace cleanup, then expand to more complex workflows as you become comfortable approving its actions.

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