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How to install and set up REA

Q: Do I need to install REA globally?

No. npx rea-agents setup is enough. A global install just gives you the rea command.

Updated 2026-10-13

Quick answer

One command: npx rea-agents setup
Requires Node.js 22.x (≥22.19), 24.x (≥24.11) or 26+, plus npm.
Restart your agent after setup.

REA commands

All commands are from the official README.

Task	Command
Set up your agents	`npx rea-agents setup`
Analyze an extracted JavaScript/Electron app	`npx -y rea-agents@latest analyze-javascript-application /absolute/path/to/app --json`
Install the CLI globally	`npm install --global rea-agents`
Show CLI help	`rea --help`
Update a global install	`rea update`
Refresh an npx-based setup	`npx rea-agents@latest setup`
Bun equivalent	`bunx rea-agents@latest`

Global updates with Bun need Bun 1.2.17 or later.

Step by step

Install a supported Node.js
22.x (22.19+), 24.x (24.11+) or 26+. Check with node --version.
Run npx rea-agents setup
Pick the agents you use, review the proposed changes and approve them. Setup registers the MCP server with each agent, installs matching workflow instructions and makes backups of your existing configuration.
(Optional) add a native backend
For native binaries, REA uses an existing Ghidra or IDA installation. Setup can optionally install Hopper with your approval. Skip this if you only need JavaScript/Electron or .NET analysis.
Restart the agent
The MCP server is only picked up after a restart.
Run a first investigation
Choose one feature with observable output in an app you are authorized to examine, and ask the agent to explain it with evidence.

Optional settings

REA_GHIDRA_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS and REA_HOPPER_STARTUP_TIMEOUT_MS — raise startup deadlines for large binaries.
REA_JEB_MCP_URL — select a JEB client you started yourself.

Troubleshooting

The README’s advice, in order:

Update REA first (rea update or npx rea-agents@latest setup).
Refresh the agent setup and restart the agent.
Retry the task.
If it still fails, open an issue with your REA version, target type, reproduction steps and error output.

macOS + Hopper: Hopper may show a first-run dialog that has to be completed in your user session before REA can use it.

Windows + Ghidra: described as experimental in the README.

Paths: a tester using REA 6.0.0 notes that MCP filesystem inputs must be absolute paths.

FAQ

Do I need to install REA globally?

No. npx rea-agents setup is enough. A global install just gives you the rea command.

Can I use REA without an AI agent?

Yes. The CLI uses the same workflows as the MCP tools, for example analyze-javascript-application.

Does setup overwrite my agent config?

Setup shows you the changes for approval and backs up existing configuration first, according to the README.

Unofficial, independent guide. Not affiliated with the REA project or its author (morluto). The official source is github.com/morluto/rea. Only analyze software you own or are authorized to examine.