Install.md: A standard for LLM-executable installation

4 months ago

Proposal for a standard /install.md file providing LLM-executable installation instructions.
Background: Installing software should be automated by AI, reducing human effort and adapting to different environments.
Current documentation is human-focused, creating friction for AI agents.
Proposal: Developers add an install.md file with structured, LLM-executable instructions.
Users can pipe the file directly into an LLM (e.g., Claude) for autonomous execution.
Mintlify auto-generates install.md for hosted documentation, with options to customize or disable.
Format includes headers, action prompts, objectives, verification criteria, and step-by-step instructions.
Example provided for Mintlify CLI installation, including prerequisites and verification steps.
Advantages: Adapts to any environment, human-readable, reduces maintenance, and improves agent usability.
Security: Human-readable design allows review before execution, with optional step-by-step approval.
Open-source spec available at installmd.org and GitHub for contributions.
FAQ addresses concerns about security, versioning, and compatibility with existing tools.

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