Windows: PowerShell won't run the install line

FAQ · Windows. Fixes for Command Prompt, constrained language mode, execution policy and missing Node.js.

"'irm' is not recognized"

You pasted the line into Command Prompt. Open PowerShell (Start menu, type PowerShell) and paste it there.

"PowerShell is in ConstrainedLanguage mode (a company policy), so scripts can't run."

Your organisation has locked PowerShell down. Cardinal's script can't run in that mode, and Cardinal doesn't try to work around it. Options:

Ask your IT team whether your account can run PowerShell in full language mode.
Set up Cardinal on another computer.
For usage numbers only: whoever manages you can make a settings block on your member page ("New token and setup") to add to %USERPROFILE%\.claude\settings.json. That counts your Claude use, but it doesn't install the runner, so AI drafts won't run on this computer.

Execution policy

Execution policy rules (such as RemoteSigned) apply to script files. The install line doesn't save a script file; it downloads the script and runs it in the window you have open. If you saved join.ps1 and ran it as a file instead, a policy may block it. Use the one line from the Setup page.

"CARDINAL_URL is missing" or "CARDINAL_TOKEN is missing"

Only part of the line was pasted. Copy the whole line again; it sets both values before it downloads anything.

"Node.js 20 or later is needed"

Install Node.js, for example with:

winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS

Then close PowerShell, open a new one, and run the line again, so the new window can find Node.

"Your Claude settings file has a JSON error at line ..."

Your settings.json can't be read. Fix that line, or move the file aside, and run the line again. Nothing was changed.