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Install on Windows

Sense runs on your local machine and connects to the Builderius builder. This guide covers the full first-time setup. Steps 1 through 4 only need to be done once per machine. Future WordPress projects only require enabling Sense in Builderius settings and starting the server in the builder.

Step 1: Install Node.js​

  1. Go to nodejs.org/en/download
  2. Download the Windows Installer (.msi) for your architecture (x64 for most machines)
  3. Run the installer. Default settings are fine — make sure "Add to PATH" stays checked.

Screenshot: Node.js download page and installer on Windows

Verify it worked by opening PowerShell and running:

node -v

It should return a version number.

Step 2: Install Git for Windows​

  1. Go to git-scm.com/install/windows
  2. Download and run the installer
  3. On the Select Components screen, make sure "Git Bash here" is checked under Windows Explorer integration. Otherwise, default settings are fine.

Screenshot: Git for Windows installer with component selection

Step 3: Install Claude Code​

  1. Open Windows PowerShell
  2. Run:
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
  1. Wait for the installation to finish. You should see "Claude Code successfully installed!"

Screenshot: PowerShell showing successful Claude Code installation

  1. Authenticate with your Claude account:
claude login

Follow the prompts to log in. This connects Claude Code to your account and API key.

Step 4: Install Builderius Sense​

In the same PowerShell window, run:

npm install @builderius/sense-ai

Screenshot: PowerShell running npm install for Sense

One-Time Setup

Steps 1 through 4 are done once per machine. You do not need to repeat them for each WordPress project.

Step 5: Enable Sense in WordPress​

  1. In WordPress admin, go to Builderius → Settings → Sense AI
  2. Toggle Enable Sense AI on
  3. Check that the Prerequisites section shows green checkmarks for Node.js, Claude Code, Builderius Sense, and Git Bash
  4. Click Save Settings

Screenshot: Builderius Sense settings page in WordPress admin with prerequisites detected

PowerShell Execution Policy

If PowerShell blocks scripts, run: Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

Step 6: Start Sense in the Builder​

  1. Open your site in the Builderius builder
  2. Click the Sense AI tab in the bottom toolbar
  3. Click Start Server

Screenshot: Builderius builder with Sense AI tab and Start Server button

Claude Code will connect and display its version and working directory.

Screenshot: Claude Code running inside the Builderius builder

Verify It Works​

Select an element in the builder and give Sense an instruction. If it builds elements on the canvas and reports what it did, you are good to go.

Screenshot: Sense has built a CTA section inside the builder

For Future Projects​

Once the machine setup is complete, each new WordPress project only needs:

  1. Install and activate Builderius on the site
  2. Builderius → Settings → Sense AI — toggle on and save
  3. Open the builder → Sense AI tab → Start Server

Troubleshooting​

  • "node is not recognized" — Node.js was not added to PATH. Reinstall and make sure "Add to PATH" is checked, then restart PowerShell.
  • "npm is not recognized" — Same fix as above. npm ships with Node.js.
  • Claude Code fails to install — Make sure PowerShell is running as your normal user, not as Administrator.
  • PowerShell blocks scripts — Run Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser and try again.
  • Prerequisites show red in admin — One or more dependencies are not installed or not detected. Check that Node.js, Git, and Claude Code are accessible from your system PATH.
  • Start Server does nothing — Verify Claude Code is authenticated by running claude login in PowerShell. Check that the port (default 7681) is not blocked.