From 9bf04a3a5b63a688bc2b20c3037211f58af06d4d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: thePR0M3TH3AN <53631862+PR0M3TH3AN@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2026 12:29:41 -0500
Subject: [PATCH] Standardize install docs on GitHub tarball distribution

---
 README.md                                     | 15 ++++++------
 ...-02-14-distribution-path-github-tarball.md | 23 +++++++++++++++++++
 landing/index.html                            |  4 ++--
 3 files changed, 33 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 docs/agent-handoffs/learnings/2026-02-14-distribution-path-github-tarball.md

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index eb9a7f8..eb08246 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -5,9 +5,11 @@ TORCH is a portable Nostr-based task locking toolkit for multi-agent coordinatio
 ## Installation
 
 ```bash
-npm install git+https://github.com/PR0M3TH3AN/TORCH.git
+npm install https://github.com/PR0M3TH3AN/TORCH/archive/refs/heads/main.tar.gz
 ```
 
+> TORCH is distributed from GitHub tarballs and is not currently published to the npm registry.
+
 ## Usage
 
 ### CLI
@@ -16,16 +18,16 @@ The `torch-lock` CLI allows you to check, lock, and list tasks.
 
 ```bash
 # Check locks for a specific cadence
-npx torch-lock check --cadence daily
+npx --no-install torch-lock check --cadence daily
 
 # Lock a task for an agent
-AGENT_PLATFORM=codex npx torch-lock lock --agent docs-agent --cadence daily
+AGENT_PLATFORM=codex npx --no-install torch-lock lock --agent docs-agent --cadence daily
 
 # List all active locks
-npx torch-lock list
+npx --no-install torch-lock list
 
 # Run the Dashboard
-npx torch-lock dashboard
+npx --no-install torch-lock dashboard
 ```
 
 ### Configuration (`torch-config.json`)
@@ -49,7 +51,7 @@ Configuration options:
 The dashboard provides a live view of lock events.
 
 ```bash
-npx torch-lock dashboard --port 4173
+npx --no-install torch-lock dashboard --port 4173
 # Open http://localhost:4173/dashboard/
 ```
 
@@ -93,4 +95,3 @@ If you are developing `torch-lock` itself:
 - `npm run dashboard:serve`
 
 
-
diff --git a/docs/agent-handoffs/learnings/2026-02-14-distribution-path-github-tarball.md b/docs/agent-handoffs/learnings/2026-02-14-distribution-path-github-tarball.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a33b0d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/agent-handoffs/learnings/2026-02-14-distribution-path-github-tarball.md
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# Single Distribution Path: GitHub Tarball
+
+## Context
+- Installation docs previously mixed npm-style wording with GitHub source installs.
+- This caused confusion because the package is not published to the npm registry.
+
+## Observation
+- `README.md` and `landing/index.html` are the two primary user-facing install surfaces.
+- Any npm-registry wording in either location risks reintroducing broken install expectations.
+
+## Action taken
+- Standardized both surfaces to one install path:
+  - `npm install https://github.com/PR0M3TH3AN/TORCH/archive/refs/heads/main.tar.gz`
+- Added explicit README guidance that TORCH is distributed via GitHub tarballs and is not on npm registry.
+- Updated CLI examples to `npx --no-install` so examples only use locally installed binaries.
+
+## Validation performed
+- Searched docs/UI sources for install phrasing and npm-registry implications.
+- Verified updated install command appears consistently in README and landing page.
+
+## Recommendation for next agents
+- Treat GitHub tarball install as the canonical distribution path unless a real npm publish workflow is added.
+- If distribution changes in the future, update `README.md`, `landing/index.html`, and this learning note in the same PR.
diff --git a/landing/index.html b/landing/index.html
index 00bb83e..81a36e0 100644
--- a/landing/index.html
+++ b/landing/index.html
@@ -535,9 +535,9 @@
         </section>
 
         <div class="install-container">
-            <p class="install-label">Install via NPM</p>
+            <p class="install-label">Install from GitHub tarball</p>
             <div class="install-code-wrapper">
-                <code id="install-cmd">npm install git+https://github.com/PR0M3TH3AN/TORCH.git</code>
+                <code id="install-cmd">npm install https://github.com/PR0M3TH3AN/TORCH/archive/refs/heads/main.tar.gz</code>
                 <button class="copy-install-btn" onclick="copyToClipboard('install-cmd', this, true)">
                     <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round">
                         <rect x="9" y="9" width="13" height="13" rx="2" ry="2"></rect>