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Run handshake help to show the installed command list.

Command summary

handshake setup

Runs guided setup. The command can:
  • Create the database.
  • Detect and register agents.
  • Install hooks, plugins, and managed skills.
  • Configure the optional background writer.
  • Install and start the login service.
  • Select another loopback port when the configured port is unavailable.
The first completed guided setup can send an anonymous install event. See Privacy.

handshake init

Runs the non-interactive setup path:
This command creates the database and installs agent integrations. It does not run the background-writer questionnaire.

handshake serve

Starts the daemon in the current terminal:
The default address is localhost:8765. Set HANDSHAKE_ADDR to select another loopback port.

handshake browse

Opens the terminal interface:
Aliases are b, -b, --b, and ui.

handshake list

On an interactive terminal, this command opens the terminal interface:
When output is piped, each line contains the session ID, title, and source agent. Handshake imports applicable Codex sessions before it writes the list.

handshake pull

Imports sessions from native agent storage:
Valid agent values are claude-code, codex, opencode, and hermes. The result reports scanned, new, updated, unchanged, and failed counts.

handshake handoff

Prints a session restore packet and handoff brief:
The argument can be an exact session ID or an unambiguous title.

handshake knowledge author

Configures the optional background writer. Valid writer values are claude, codex, opencode, and hermes.

handshake timeline

Prints prompts, agent responses, tool activity, and related commits:

Service commands

Install the login service:
Remove the login service:

handshake uninstall

Removes managed agent integrations and the login service. The command asks before it deletes session data or the binary.

Version and help

Version aliases are --version and -v. Help aliases are --help and -h.