> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.nvidia.com/docsfab/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.nvidia.com/docsfab/_mcp/server.

# Install a DocsFab Development Build

> Install a development package from the main channel for testing.

<span id="install-from-a-source-checkout"></span>
<span id="update-a-development-checkout"></span>

Internal testers normally install from the source checkout, as described in
[Install DocsFab](/docsfab/get-started/installation). To test a packaged build
instead, use the `main` package channel. Development builds can be unstable.

## Prerequisites

- Prepare the [installation prerequisites](/docsfab/get-started/installation#prerequisites).
- Obtain access to the DocsFab package registry and configure npm authentication.
  Browser and `glab` logins do not configure npm authentication.

## Install the Development Package

Use the explicit `main` package channel:

```bash
npm install --global docsfab@main \
  --registry https://gitlab-master.nvidia.com/api/v4/projects/437040/packages/npm/
docsfab --version
```

`--global` makes the command available from your shell. `@main` selects the
current development package.
The registry flag selects the DocsFab package registry.

## Related Topics

- [Update or Uninstall](/docsfab/manage/update-or-uninstall)
- [Check DocsFab Readiness](/docsfab/manage/check-readiness)
- [Installation Fails](/docsfab/troubleshooting#installation-fails)