Firebase Local Env Setup
First-time local setup so you can run Firebase CLI, Node 20+, and authenticated login before wiring Auth, Firestore, or Hosting into your app.
Overview
Firebase Local Environment Setup is an agent skill for the Build phase that verifies Node 20+, installs the Firebase CLI, and completes first-time login before any Firebase feature work.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/firebase/agent-skills --skill firebase-local-env-setupWhat is this skill?
- Verifies Node.js is installed at version 20 or higher before any Firebase steps
- macOS/Linux path via nvm with explicit stop-and-wait until the user confirms install
- Windows guidance for Node installation before CLI steps
- First-time Firebase CLI install and login only—not refresh or repair workflows
- Explicit handoff: use firebase-basics for updates, troubleshooting, or refreshing an existing environment
- Requires Node.js version >= 20
- Recommends nvm install/use Node 24 on macOS or Linux
Adoption & trust: 5k installs on skills.sh; 345 GitHub stars; 2/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You want to use Firebase with your coding agent but the machine may lack Node 20+, the CLI, or an authenticated Firebase session.
Who is it for?
Solo builders on a new laptop or repo who have never installed Firebase tooling on that machine.
Skip if: Refreshing tokens, fixing broken CLI installs, or updating an already-working Firebase setup—use firebase-basics per the skill’s own guardrail.
When should I use this skill?
Bare minimum initial Firebase setup: Node.js, CLI installation, and first-time login—only when no working Firebase environment exists yet.
What do I get? / Deliverables
After the checklist passes, your environment meets Firebase’s minimum bar so you can invoke firebase-basics or feature skills for emulators, deploy, and SDK integration.
- Verified Node >= 20
- Installed Firebase CLI
- Completed first-time Firebase login
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Firebase is integrated during product build; this skill is the gated prerequisite before any Firebase feature work, not ongoing ops. Canonical shelf is integrations because the outcome is a working Firebase toolchain hooked to your repo, not app UI or pure backend logic.
How it compares
Use for one-time bootstrap only; pair with firebase-basics for ongoing Firebase workflows instead of repeating full env setup on every task.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is firebase-local-env-setup for?
Indie and solo developers who are starting Firebase on a machine that has not yet passed Node, CLI, and login checks.
When should I use firebase-local-env-setup?
Use it at the start of Build when you are wiring Firebase integrations and the agent must confirm Node ≥20, CLI install, and first login—only once per environment.
Is firebase-local-env-setup safe to install?
It guides shell installs and Firebase login on your machine; review the Security Audits panel on this Prism page and treat CLI credentials like any cloud secret.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Firebase Local Env Setup
# Firebase Local Environment Setup This skill documents the bare minimum setup required for a full Firebase experience for the agent. Before starting to use any Firebase features, you MUST verify that each of the following steps has been completed. ## 1. Verify Node.js - **Action**: Run `node --version`. - **Handling**: Ensure Node.js is installed and the version is `>= 20`. If Node.js is missing or `< v20`, install it based on the operating system: **Recommended: Use a Node Version Manager** This avoids permission issues when installing global packages. **For macOS or Linux:** 1. Guide the user to the [official nvm repository](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm#installing-and-updating). 2. Request the user to manually install `nvm` and reply when finished. **Stop and wait** for the user's confirmation. 3. Make `nvm` available in the current terminal session by sourcing the appropriate profile: ```bash # For Bash source ~/.bash_profile source ~/.bashrc # For Zsh source ~/.zprofile source ~/.zshrc ``` 4. Install Node.js: ```bash nvm install 24 nvm use 24 ``` **For Windows:** 1. Guide the user to download and install [nvm-windows](https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows/releases). 2. Request the user to manually install `nvm-windows` and Node.js, and reply when finished. **Stop and wait** for the user's confirmation. 3. After the user confirms, verify Node.js is available: ```bash node --version ``` **Alternative: Official Installer** 1. Guide the user to download and install the LTS version from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/en/download). 2. Request the user to manually install Node.js and reply when finished. **Stop and wait** for the user's confirmation. ## 2. Verify Firebase CLI The Firebase CLI is the primary tool for interacting with Firebase services. - **Action**: Run `npx -y firebase-tools@latest --version`. - **Handling**: Ensure this command runs successfully and outputs a version number. ## 3. Verify Firebase Authentication You must be authenticated to manage Firebase projects. - **Action**: Run `npx -y firebase-tools@latest login`. - **Handling**: If the environment is remote or restricted (no browser access), run `npx -y firebase-tools@latest login --no-localhost` instead. ## 4. Install Agent Skills and MCP Server To fully manage Firebase, the agent needs specific skills and the Firebase MCP server installed. Identify the agent environment you are currently running in and follow the corresponding setup document strictly. **Read the setup document for your current agent:** - **Gemini CLI**: Review [references/gemini_cli.md](references/gemini_cli.md) - **Antigravity**: Review [references/antigravity.md](references/antigravity.md) - **Claude Code**: Review [references/claude_code.md](references/claude_code.md) - **Cursor**: Review [references/cursor.md](references/cursor.md) - **GitHub Copilot**: Review [references/github_copilot.md](references/github_copilot.md) - **Other Agents** (Windsurf, Cline, etc.): Review [references/other_agents.md](references/other_agents.md) --- **CRITICAL AGENT RULE:** Do NOT proceed with any other Firebase tasks until EVERY step above has been successfully verified and completed. # Antigravity Setup To get the most out of Firebase in Antigravity, follow these steps to install the agent skills and the MCP server. ### 1. Install and Verify Firebase Skills Check if the skills are already installed before proceeding: 1. **Check Local skills**: Run `ls -d .agent/skills/firebase-basics` or `ls -d .agents/skills/firebase-basics`. If the directory exists, the skills are already insta