🥕 Carotene

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Installation & Setup ​

Carotene is designed to be a zero-config, all-in-one toolchain. You do not need to install separate testing libraries (like Jest), database ORMs (like Prisma), or security middleware.

The entire framework is powered by a single binary: the Carotene CLI (carrot). It acts as your compiler, your test runner, and your AI generation engine.

Step 1: Install the CLI ​

The Carotene CLI is distributed as a standalone binary, meaning it doesn't pollute your global environment. You can install it via your preferred package manager or directly via our install script.

macOS / Linux (via curl)

bash
curl -fsSL https://get.carotene.dev | bash

macOS (via Homebrew)

bash
brew install carotene

Windows (via PowerShell)

powershell
iwr https://get.carotene.dev/windows -useb | iex

(Note: If you prefer using Node.js, you can also run npm install -g carotene-cli, though the standalone binaries are recommended for maximum speed).

Step 2: Set Up Your Editor ​

Carotene is a strictly typed architectural language. To get the most out of it, you need your editor to understand the .carrotfile extension, highlight the Zero-Trust Verbs (reads, updates, calls), and provide IntelliSense for the @(...) Generative Operator.

VS Code

  1. Open VS Code.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab (Cmd+Shift+X or Ctrl+Shift+X).
  3. Search for Carotene Language Server and click Install.
  4. Feature: The extension automatically highlights @(...) operators in a distinct color so you can visually audit where the AI is writing logic versus where code is deterministic.

(Extensions for JetBrains / IntelliJ and Neovim are available in the community repository).

Step 3: Authenticate the AI Compiler ​

Because the Carotene compiler uses an LLM to evaluate your @(...) Generative Operators and run the Test-Driven Generation (TDG) loop, the CLI needs to be authenticated with your AI provider.

Run the login command in your terminal:

bash
carrot login

This will open your browser and securely store an authentication token on your local machine.

(Alternatively, for CI/CD environments, you can simply set the CAROTENE_API_KEY environment variable).

Step 4: Verify Your Installation ​

To ensure the CLI, the sandbox engine, and the AI compiler are correctly configured, run the version check:

bash
carrot --version

You should see an output similar to this:

bash
Carotene CLI v1.0.0
Compiler: Online (Authenticated)
Sandbox Engine: Embedded WASM Ready

You are now fully set up. You have the blueprint language, the isolated testing sandbox, and the AI builder all ready to go.