Quick start

Install the plugin

In Claude Code:

/plugin marketplace add voidcraft-labs/nova-marketplace
/plugin install nova@nova-marketplace

The first command tells Claude Code where to find the plugin. The second installs it. The Nova MCP server connection comes with the plugin, so there's nothing else to wire up.

Sign in

Run /mcp, pick nova from the list, and complete the sign-in in the browser window that opens. Claude Code remembers the connection, so you only do this once.

If the sign-in window doesn't open, run /mcp again. If Claude Code later says you're not signed in anymore, run /mcp, pick nova, and choose Reauthenticate.

Running Nova unattended — from CI, or from automated agents that can't stop for a browser? Set a NOVA_API_KEY in your environment instead and skip the sign-in entirely. See API keys.

Build your first app

Run /nova:build followed by a description of what you want:

/nova:build household registration app for community health workers

Claude builds the app and pauses to ask you a question whenever something in the spec is unclear. When it's done, it prints the new app's ID and a summary of what it built.

If you'd rather Claude make every call itself without asking, use /nova:autobuild instead. The Commands page covers the difference and the rest of what you can do once you have apps in Nova.

Uploading to CommCare HQ

/nova:upload_to_hq pushes a Nova app to CommCare HQ as a new HQ app. Before your first upload, add your CommCare HQ API key on the Nova settings page. If your key reaches more than one project space, Claude asks which one to upload to each time — or name the space in the command to upload straight there. Full details are on the Commands page.