Setting Up Pi: You Need Node.js First
Step-by-step illustrated guide | For users willing to tinker a bit | Pi is a "bring your own model API key" engine
Pi is another CLI agent Scholardo supports, following the "Bring your own model API key" route. Compared to the other engines, Pi has one extra prerequisite: you must have Node.js installed on your computer first. This guide states that prerequisite up front, then walks through the install.
Prerequisites (the first line is the key one)
- ✅ You must install Node.js first: Pi installs via npm, and npm comes bundled with Node.js. Without Node.js, Pi cannot be installed.
- Download and install it from nodejs.org (the LTS / long-term-support version is fine).
- Scholardo also reminds you of this before you install Pi — the install confirmation dialog explicitly reads Requires Node.js (npm) to be installed first.
- Your own model API key (Pi follows the "bring your own key" route).
- A Mac with Scholardo installed.
💡 How to confirm Node.js is installed? Open the Terminal app, type
node -vand press Enter — if it shows a version number (likev20.x.x), you're set.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Step 1 · Install Node.js first
- Open nodejs.org in your browser and download the LTS macOS installer.
- Double-click to install, clicking through the steps.
- Verify with
node -vin Terminal afterward (see above).
Step 2 · Install Pi from the chooser
- Start a new session in the terminal area on the right, and find the Pi row in the "Choose an agent" card (subtitle Bring your own model API key).
- Click Install on that row.
- A confirmation dialog appears:
- The body includes the command
npm install -g --ignore-scripts @earendil-works/pi-coding-agent - and appends: Requires Node.js (npm) to be installed first.
- Click Install.
- The body includes the command
- If this step errors out saying npm can't be found: Node.js isn't installed or isn't being recognized — go back to Step 1 to install Node.js, restart Scholardo, and try again.
Step 3 · Enter your key and launch
- After it installs, follow Pi's prompts to enter your own model API key (the "bring your own key" route).
- A1 behavior: once installed, the chooser reappears automatically — click the Pi row to launch; on failure it shows Retry.
- An input box appears at the bottom of the terminal; type your first prompt.
Shot list (screenshot checklist)
Capture the Scholardo UI from the current release. nodejs.org is vendor UI — capture as-is. Redact keys in screenshots.
| # | What to capture | UI source | Key callout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | nodejs.org download page, with the LTS version circled | Vendor UI (nodejs.org, captured as-is) | 🔴 "Install this first, or Pi won't install" |
| 2 | Terminal node -v showing a version number | macOS Terminal | Caption: "a version number = you're set" |
| 3 | The Pi row in the chooser (subtitle Bring your own model API key) + Install | Scholardo | Circle the Pi row |
| 4 | Install confirmation dialog, with npm install … pi-coding-agent and Requires Node.js (npm) to be installed first. | Scholardo | Circle that Node.js prerequisite line in red |
| 5 | Enter your own API key (redacted) and launch | Scholardo (key redacted) | Caption: "Pi uses the bring-your-own-key route" |
Key callouts recap
- 🔴 Install Node.js first (nodejs.org, LTS): Pi installs via npm — without Node.js it can't install.
- The confirmation dialog explicitly reads Requires Node.js (npm) to be installed first.
- Pi is the "bring your own key" route: it needs your own model API key.
- A1 auto-return after install: click the row to launch; on failure it shows Retry.
Common pitfalls (see the full P0-6 · Install & Sign-in FAQ)
- Says npm / node not found: Node.js isn't installed or recognized. Install LTS from nodejs.org, restart Scholardo, and try again; you can self-check with
node -v/npm -vin Terminal. - It asks for a key after installing: unlike Claude / Codex, Pi doesn't sign in with a subscription — it needs your own model API key; enter it as prompted.
Data Privacy Disclosure
When you talk with a model via Pi, your manuscript content is sent to whichever model provider you've configured for processing (determined by where your own API key points). Scholardo only sends the necessary content when you actively start a conversation. If your research materials involve unpublished data, participant privacy, or confidentiality agreements, first confirm that sending them to a third-party AI service complies with your institution's requirements.