The Pastel CLI is a command line tool that connects your AI agent to Pastel. It can do everything the Pastel MCP server can, including reading and resolving comments and uploading HTML files for feedback.
New to uploading HTML to Pastel? Start with Get feedback on HTML files from your AI agent.
CLI or MCP server?
It depends on where your agent runs.
| Best for | Examples |
Pastel CLI | Agents that run on your computer and can use a terminal | Claude Code, Codex CLI, Cursor |
Pastel MCP server | Cloud-based agents that can't run terminal commands | Claude.ai, ChatGPT, Replit |
If your agent supports both, either one works.
Set it up
You'll need: a Pastel account, Node.js with npm, and an AI agent that can run terminal commands.
Open your terminal.
To install the CLI, run
npm install -g @usepastel/cliTo install the Pastel skills, run
pastel skills installThe skills teach your agent how to use the CLI, so you don't have to explain it in your prompts.
To login, run
pastel loginComplete the authorization flow in the browser window that opens to sign in to Pastel and approve access.
Check that it worked
Start a new conversation and ask your agent:
List my Pastel canvases.
If it comes back with your canvases, you're connected. If it doesn't seem to know about Pastel, start a fresh conversation, as agents usually only pick up new skills at the start of a session.
You can also type pastel in your terminal to see every available command.
Get the most out of it
With the CLI, your agent can upload HTML from your project and keep track of the canvas it created:
"Build a landing page for our spring sale, deploy it to Pastel, and give me the link."
The CLI saves the canvas URL in your project folder, so the next round of feedback takes one prompt:
"Check all open Pastel comments and fix."
It works on any canvas, not just HTML uploads:
"Take comment #14 on the pricing page canvas. Work out what's causing it, fix it, reply on the comment explaining what you changed, and mark it resolved."
Command reference
Your agent picks the right commands on its own based on what you ask it for. This list is here so you know what's possible. Run pastel help [command] to see the options for any command.
Command | What it does |
| Sign in to Pastel in your browser |
| Sign out and remove your stored credentials |
| Show which Pastel account you're signed in to |
| Upload a static site folder, or individual files, as a website canvas |
| Manage the Pastel skill for AI agents |
| View and manage canvases |
| List the projects your canvases are organized into |
| View and manage comments and their replies |
| List who can be mentioned or assigned on a canvas |
| List your team's comment labels |
| Show help for any command |
Managing your connection
To check which Pastel account the CLI is signed in to, run pastel status.
To disconnect, run pastel logout. This revokes the CLI's access token and removes your credentials from your computer. Your agent loses access to Pastel until you run pastel login again.
Your agent only ever sees the canvases and comments that you can see, because it acts as you.
Something not working?
The CLI is new and AI agents change quickly, so a step may not match what you see on screen. If something isn't working, let us know and we'll help you out.