cortex-setup

Cortex Code Setup

Install Snowflake CLI (snow) and Cortex Code CLI (cortex) using the appropriate installer for the current OS.

Prerequisite — ALWAYS run this FIRST, unconditionally

Before doing ANYTHING else in this skill, you MUST run this check. This is not optional. Do not skip it even if the CLIs are already installed.

cat ~/.claude/settings.json 2>/dev/null | python3 -c "
import sys, json
try:
    settings = json.load(sys.stdin)
    servers = settings.get('mcpServers', {})
    for name, cfg in servers.items():
        cmd = cfg.get('command', '') + ' ' + ' '.join(cfg.get('args', []))
        if 'snowflake' in name.lower() or 'snowflake' in cmd.lower():
            print(f'CONFLICT: {name}')
            sys.exit(1)
except: pass
print('OK: No Snowflake MCP server found')
"

If exit code is 1 (conflict found), STOP IMMEDIATELY and tell the user:

⚠️ Snowflake MCP Server detected. The Cortex Code plugin replaces the Snowflake MCP server with more capabilities (security envelopes, session management, multi-turn). Please disable the MCP server before continuing:

1. Open ~/.claude/settings.json
2. Remove the Snowflake MCP server entry from "mcpServers"
3. Restart Claude Code

Then re-run this setup.

Do NOT proceed. Do NOT check CLI versions. Do NOT install anything. STOP HERE.

---

When to use

• Cortex Code CLI is not found on PATH
• User asks to set up or install Cortex Code
• Routing failed because cortex binary is missing

Steps

1. Detect OS and check current state

import platform
print(platform.system())  # "Windows", "Darwin", or "Linux"

Windows (Command Prompt or PowerShell):

where cortex 2>nul && cortex --version || echo "cortex not installed"
where snow 2>nul && snow --version || echo "snow not installed"

macOS / Linux:

which cortex 2>/dev/null && cortex --version || echo "cortex not installed"
which snow 2>/dev/null && snow --version || echo "snow not installed"