vaen

vaen subcommand [options]

vaen is a Python CLI that packages an AI coding-agent setup (instructions, skills and MCP server declarations) into a portable, OCI-style archive with a `.agent` extension, so it can be shared across repositories or teammates without copy-pasting files.A `.agent` bundle declares which instruction files exist, which skills it bundles, which MCP servers it expects, and which environment-variable names hold credentials. It never contains credential values, only the names of variables the receiver must populate locally. `import` materializes the bundle into a target repo for a specific client (for example Claude Code) and writes files to the expected locations. `doctor` verifies that an import is structurally valid.vaen exists because a zip file can move files but cannot describe what the setup is, where files should land, or which secrets the receiver must provide.

validate

Check the manifest syntax.

Build a `.agent` archive. Flags: `-f` manifest, `-o` output filename.

Print the contents of a `.agent` archive without importing.

Materialize the bundle into a target. Flags: `--client`, `--target`, `--target-instructions-file-name`, `--target-skills-directory`.

Validate an imported structure. Accepts the same client and target flags as `import`.

Remove the locally stored canonical copy.

A bundle is described by an `agent.yaml` manifest that lists instructions, skills, MCP servers, required environment-variable names and metadata such as version and publisher.

Install from the project's GitHub repository using `pipx`:

$ pipx install git+https://github.com/sjhalani7/vaen.git

claude, pipx