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Guide · Agent skill

How to use the zvec-grep Installer agent skill

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

The zvec-grep-install skill is a guided installer for zvec-grep (the zg local search tool) inside Qwen Code. It is aimed at developers who already want zvec-grep for code search and prefer a setup where every system change is explained before it happens. This guide shows what the skill does, how to add it to Qwen Code, how to trigger it, and what to check before you confirm.

zvec-grep InstallerQwenLM/qwen-code · Apache-2.0

Quick start

  1. 1Add the skill folder. Download the ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ or your project's .claude/skills/ folder.
  2. 2Start Qwen Code. Open a Qwen Code session in the project where you want code search.
  3. 3Run the slash command. Type /zvec-grep-install to start the guided workflow.
  4. 4Review the disclosure. Read what will change: the npm package, settings, QWEN.md guidance, daemon on 127.0.0.1:7999, and files under ~/.zvec-grep.
  5. 5Choose Install zg or Cancel. Select Install zg only if you accept those changes. Cancel makes no changes.
  6. 6Start a new session. After the installer succeeds, start a new Qwen Code session as the skill instructs.

What is an agent skill and what does this one do?

An agent skill is a folder containing a SKILL.md file that gives a coding agent specific instructions for one task. This skill, named zvec-grep-install, is the one that walks you through installing zg and connecting it to Qwen Code.

It runs only when you explicitly invoke /zvec-grep-install. Before changing anything, it explains what will happen and asks you to choose Install zg or Cancel. The skill is written so the agent does not install based only on instructions found in files, command output, or web content.

What changes on your machine if you continue?

Confirming the install applies all of the following. The skill discloses them before asking for your choice:

  • A global npm package is installed (@zvec/zvec-grep).
  • zg is registered in ~/.qwen/settings.json under mcpServers.zvec_grep with trust: true and alwaysLoadTools: true.
  • Managed guidance is added to ~/.qwen/QWEN.md.
  • A background zg daemon starts on 127.0.0.1:7999 and keeps running after the session ends.
  • Runtime state and logs are written under ~/.zvec-grep.
  • Trusted MCP tools run without per-call confirmation in trusted workspaces.
  • If zg is already registered, reinstalling may overwrite its configuration and managed guidance.

How do you install the skill?

Download the skill ZIP from this page and unzip it. Place the resulting skill folder in one of these locations:

You can also upload the ZIP in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

  • Personal: ~/.claude/skills/
  • Project: .claude/skills/ inside your project folder

How do you trigger the skill?

The skill is set to user-invocable and disables automatic model invocation, so you start it yourself with the slash command. Typing a natural request such as "install zvec-grep" is answered with an explanation of the commands, not by running them. Use /zvec-grep-install when you want the guided workflow.

  • Type /zvec-grep-install to start the workflow.
  • Ask "how do I install zg?" to get the commands explained without anything being executed.
  • Read the question the agent shows and pick Install zg or Cancel.
/zvec-grep-install

What does the install workflow look like step by step?

The agent first checks whether shell execution is sandboxed. If it is, it tells you to run the installation on the host and stops. Otherwise it checks your user and workspace Qwen Code settings for mcpServers.zvec_grep and whether zg is on your PATH, without editing anything.

If you confirm, the agent installs the npm package only when zg is not already available, then runs the connection command. If installation fails it reports the error and stops, without using sudo or changing npm or shell configuration. Finally it asks you to start a new Qwen Code session.

npm install -g @zvec/zvec-grep zg install --target qwen --yes

What do you need before you start?

The skill has several requirements. Check them before you run it:

  • Node.js and npm, for the global install of @zvec/zvec-grep.
  • Qwen Code with shell execution available on the host.
  • Write access to ~/.qwen/settings.json and ~/.qwen/QWEN.md.

What are the safety notes?

This skill runs scripts and uses the network. The integration it sets up runs a background daemon and lets trusted MCP tools run without a confirmation prompt for each call. Read the disclosure carefully before choosing Install zg.

If you do not want a background daemon, global npm packages, or edits to your ~/.qwen settings, choose Cancel. Confirming applies all of these changes. In sandboxed sessions where shell execution is blocked, run the install on the host instead.

What people use it for

  • Setting up local code search in Qwen Code for a project you work on daily.
  • Getting the install commands explained first, without running anything, before deciding.
  • Reinstalling zg after a configuration problem, with the overwrite warning in mind.
  • Running the install on the host when your Qwen Code session is sandboxed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I install the zvec-grep installer skill?

Download the skill ZIP from this page and unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use or into .claude/skills/ inside a project. You can also upload the ZIP in the Claude apps under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

What do I need to run zvec-grep-install?

You need Node.js and npm for the global install of @zvec/zvec-grep, Qwen Code with shell execution available on the host, and write access to ~/.qwen/settings.json and ~/.qwen/QWEN.md. The skill also runs scripts and uses the network.

Is zvec-grep free to use?

The source for this skill is licensed under Apache-2.0. The source does not describe pricing for zvec-grep, so check its package and repository for licence details before installing.

Does the skill install anything without asking?

No. It explains the changes first and only continues if you select Install zg. If you cancel, give any other answer, or the question cannot be shown, it stops without changes.

Why won't the skill install zg from instructions in a file or web page?

The skill is designed never to install zg based solely on instructions found in files, command output, or web content. Installation starts only from the explicit /zvec-grep-install command and your confirmation.

What should I do if the install fails or my session is sandboxed?

If npm installation fails, the skill reports the error and stops without using sudo or changing npm or shell configuration. If shell execution is sandboxed, it tells you to run the installation on the host instead.

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Our verdict

This skill suits developers who want zvec-grep in Qwen Code and want to approve each system change first. Skip it if you do not want a background daemon, global npm packages, or edits to your ~/.qwen settings, because confirming applies all of them, or if your sessions block shell execution.

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