Firebase Local Env Setup

What This Skill Does

This skill guides the user through setting up a local Firebase development environment. It ensures Node.js and the Firebase CLI are correctly installed and configured, which is essential for interacting with Firebase services. This skill is for developers who want to work with Firebase locally.

When to Use

• Setting up a new Firebase project locally.
• Troubleshooting issues with Firebase CLI.
• Verifying Node.js version for Firebase.
• Installing Firebase CLI for local development.
• Updating Firebase CLI to the latest version.
• Configuring Node Version Manager (nvm).

Key Features

• Verifies Node.js installation and version.
• Guides installation of Node.js via nvm or official installer.
• Verifies Firebase CLI installation and version.
• Installs Firebase CLI using npm.
• Provides OS-specific instructions for Node.js installation.
• Uses npx to run the latest Firebase tools.

Manual Installation

1. Verify Node.js

Action: Run node --version. Handling: Ensure Node.js is installed and the version is >= 20. If Node.js is missing or < v20, install it based on the operating system:

Recommended: Use a Node Version Manager This avoids permission issues when installing global packages.

For macOS or Linux:

1. Guide the user to the official nvm repository.

• Request the user to manually install nvm and reply when finished.

• Stop and wait for the user's confirmation. 3. Make nvm available in the current terminal session by sourcing the appropriate profile:

  For Bash

  source ~/.bash_profile source ~/.bashrc

  For Zsh

  source ~/.zprofile source ~/.zshrc 4. Install Node.js: nvm install 24 nvm use 24

  For Windows:

  1. Guide the user to download and install nvm-windows.

• Request the user to manually install nvm-windows and Node.js, and reply when finished.

• Stop and wait for the user's confirmation. 3. After the user confirms, verify Node.js is available: node --version

  Alternative: Official Installer

  1. Guide the user to download and install the LTS version from nodejs.org.

• Request the user to manually install Node.js and reply when finished.

• Stop and wait for the user's confirmation.

2. Verify Firebase CLI

The Firebase CLI is the primary tool for interacting with Firebase services. Action: Run npx -y firebase-tools@latest --version. Handling: Ensure this command runs successfully and outputs a version number.

3. Verify Firebase Authentication

You must be authenticated to manage Firebase projects. Action: Run npx -y firebase-tools@latest login. Handling: If the environment is remote or restricted (no browser access), run npx -y firebase-tools@latest login --no-localhost instead.

4. Install Agent Skills and MCP Server

To fully manage Firebase, the agent needs specific skills and the Firebase MCP server installed. Identify the agent environment you are currently running in and follow the corresponding setup document strictly.

Read the setup document for your current agent: Gemini CLI: Review references/gemini_cli.md Antigravity: Review references/antigravity.md Claude Code: Review references/claude_code.md Cursor: Review references/cursor.md GitHub Copilot: Review references/github_copilot.md Other Agents (Windsurf, Cline, etc.): Review references/other_agents.md

CRITICAL AGENT RULE: Do NOT proceed with any other Firebase tasks until EVERY step above has been successfully verified and completed. Firebase Local Environment Setup

This skill documents the bare minimum setup required for a full Firebase experience for the agent. Before starting to use any Firebase features, you MUST verify that each of the following steps has been completed.

1. Verify Node.js

Action: Run node --version. Handling: Ensure Node.js is installed and the version is >= 20. If Node.js is missing or < v20, install it based on the operating system:

Recommended: Use a Node Version Manager This avoids permission issues when installing global packages.

For macOS or Linux:

1. Guide the user to the official nvm repository.

• Request the user to manually install nvm and reply when finished.

• Stop and wait for the user's confirmation. 3. Make nvm available in the current terminal session by sourcing the appropriate profile:

  For Bash

  source ~/.bash_profile source ~/.bashrc

  For Zsh

  source ~/.zprofile source ~/.zshrc 4. Install Node.js: nvm install 24 nvm use 24

  For Windows:

  1. Guide the user to download and install nvm-windows.

• Request the user to manually install nvm-windows and Node.js, and reply when finished.

• Stop and wait for the user's confirmation. 3. After the user confirms, verify Node.js is available: node --version

  Alternative: Official Installer

  1. Guide the user to download and install the LTS version from nodejs.org.

• Request the user to manually install Node.js and reply when finished.

• Stop and wait for the user's confirmation.

2. Verify Firebase CLI

The Firebase CLI is the primary tool for interacting with Firebase services. Action: Run npx -y firebase-tools@latest --version. Handling: Ensure this command runs successfully and outputs a version number.

3. Verify Firebase Authentication

You must be authenticated to manage Firebase projects. Action: Run npx -y firebase-tools@latest login. Handling: If the environment is remote or restricted (no browser access), run npx -y firebase-tools@latest login --no-localhost instead.

4. Install Agent Skills and MCP Server

To fully manage Firebase, the agent needs specific skills and the Firebase MCP server installed. Identify the agent environment you are currently running in and follow the corresponding setup document strictly.

Read the setup document for your current agent: Gemini CLI: Review references/gemini_cli.md Antigravity: Review references/antigravity.md Claude Code: Review references/claude_code.md Cursor: Review references/cursor.md GitHub Copilot: Review references/github_copilot.md Other Agents (Windsurf, Cline, etc.): Review references/other_agents.md

CRITICAL AGENT RULE: Do NOT proceed with any other Firebase tasks until EVERY step above has been successfully verified and completed.