🥕 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: Connect Your Intelligence Engine ​

Carotene is entirely LLM-agnostic. The compiler acts as the architect and the sandbox, but you get to choose the "excavator" that writes the code. You can use your own API keys, run local models, or use the Carotene Managed Cloud.

Option A: Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) If you want the Carotene CLI to directly manage the generation loop, provide an API key for your preferred provider. You can set this as an environment variable or store it securely in the CLI:

bash
# Store keys locally in the Carotene keychain
carrot keys:add anthropic sk-ant-123...
carrot keys:add openai sk-proj-123...

Option B: Local / External Agents (MCP) If you already use an AI IDE (like Cursor) or a terminal agent (like Claude Code), you do not need to give Carotene API keys at all. You simply start the Carotene MCP Server:

bash
carrot mcp --stdio

Your agent connects to the server, reads the architecture, and writes the code. The CLI acts purely as the Deterministic Sandbox, validating the agent's output.

Option C: Carotene Managed Cloud If you want a zero-setup, "batteries-included" experience, you can authenticate with the Carotene Cloud. This connects your CLI to our highly optimised, proprietary generation pipeline.

bash
carrot login

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.