Core requirements
At a minimum, Nora needs a Git repository to open and Git installed on the machine so it can inspect branches, read diffs, and create isolated worktrees. You also need a usable local shell for terminals and agent sessions. On Linux and macOS that usually means Bash or a compatible shell. On Windows, Git Bash is the safest option for the workflow Nora is built around.
Agent requirements
Nora can launch only the agent CLIs that are installed and detected on the machine. The supported tools are Codex, Claude Code, Gemini CLI, and Cursor Agent. If you want to use one of them from Nora, install that CLI first and make sure it is already authenticated if the provider requires sign-in or an API key.
Skill management requirements
You do not need skills installed to use Nora, but if you want to search for and install shared skills from inside the app, you need a working skills toolchain. Nora can use the `skills` command directly, and it can also fall back to `npx` or `npm` when needed. Without those tools, skill browsing and installation will be limited.
Direct SSH requirements
If you want to open a workspace directly over SSH, you need an SSH client available on the machine. You also need SSH access that is already set up to work non-interactively. In practice that means a configured key, a working `~/.ssh/config` entry when needed, and an ssh-agent or equivalent setup so Nora can open the connection without waiting for you to type a password into a manual login prompt each time.
Mounted remote workspace requirements
Mounted SSH workspaces need more than the plain SSH client. On Linux and macOS, you need `sshfs` plus an unmount tool such as `fusermount3`, `fusermount`, `umount`, or `diskutil` on macOS. On macOS, you may also need macFUSE depending on how `sshfs` is installed. On Windows, mounted workspaces require WinFsp and SSHFS-Win.
Optional integration requirements
GitHub and GitLab features need repository access and, for private repos or higher limits, the appropriate tokens or OAuth setup. Vercel features need a Vercel account connection or token before Nora can list projects, deployments, or trigger redeploys. These are optional dependencies: Nora itself still works without them.