From 9b3045a8fa316976cb591c19abd8ae7ff57162e0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Drew Ritter <drew@primeradiant.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:18:55 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] docs: clarify opencode install caveats

---
 .opencode/INSTALL.md    | 31 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++--
 README.md               |  3 +++
 docs/README.opencode.md | 31 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++--
 3 files changed, 61 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.opencode/INSTALL.md b/.opencode/INSTALL.md
index 2dc2b238..94c34151 100644
--- a/.opencode/INSTALL.md
+++ b/.opencode/INSTALL.md
@@ -14,10 +14,14 @@ Add superpowers to the `plugin` array in your `opencode.json` (global or project
 }
 ```
 
-Restart OpenCode. That's it — the plugin auto-installs and registers all skills.
+Restart OpenCode. The plugin installs through OpenCode's plugin manager and
+registers all skills.
 
 Verify by asking: "Tell me about your superpowers"
 
+OpenCode uses its own plugin install. If you also use Claude Code, Codex, or
+another harness, install Superpowers separately for each one.
+
 ## Migrating from the old symlink-based install
 
 If you previously installed superpowers using `git clone` and symlinks, remove the old setup:
@@ -46,7 +50,10 @@ use skill tool to load superpowers/brainstorming
 
 ## Updating
 
-Superpowers updates automatically when you restart OpenCode.
+OpenCode installs Superpowers through a git-backed package spec. Some OpenCode
+and Bun versions pin that resolved git dependency in a lockfile or cache, so a
+restart may not pick up the newest Superpowers commit. If updates do not appear,
+clear OpenCode's package cache or reinstall the plugin.
 
 To pin a specific version:
 
@@ -64,6 +71,26 @@ To pin a specific version:
 2. Verify the plugin line in your `opencode.json`
 3. Make sure you're running a recent version of OpenCode
 
+### Windows install issues
+
+Some Windows OpenCode builds have upstream installer issues with git-backed
+plugin specs, including cache paths for `git+https` URLs and Bun not finding
+`git.exe` even when it works in a normal terminal. If OpenCode cannot install
+the plugin, try installing with system npm and pointing OpenCode at the local
+package:
+
+```powershell
+npm install superpowers@git+https://github.com/obra/superpowers.git --prefix "$HOME\.config\opencode"
+```
+
+Then use the installed package path in `opencode.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "plugin": ["~/.config/opencode/node_modules/superpowers"]
+}
+```
+
 ### Skills not found
 
 1. Use `skill` tool to list what's discovered
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c10c960f..74d92e9d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -89,6 +89,9 @@ or search for "superpowers" in the plugin marketplace.
 
 ### OpenCode
 
+OpenCode uses its own plugin install; install Superpowers separately even if you
+already use it in another harness.
+
 Tell OpenCode:
 
 ```
diff --git a/docs/README.opencode.md b/docs/README.opencode.md
index 71b74c52..95120669 100644
--- a/docs/README.opencode.md
+++ b/docs/README.opencode.md
@@ -12,10 +12,14 @@ Add superpowers to the `plugin` array in your `opencode.json` (global or project
 }
 ```
 
-Restart OpenCode. The plugin auto-installs via Bun and registers all skills automatically.
+Restart OpenCode. The plugin installs through OpenCode's plugin manager and
+registers all skills.
 
 Verify by asking: "Tell me about your superpowers"
 
+OpenCode uses its own plugin install. If you also use Claude Code, Codex, or
+another harness, install Superpowers separately for each one.
+
 ### Migrating from the old symlink-based install
 
 If you previously installed superpowers using `git clone` and symlinks, remove the old setup:
@@ -78,7 +82,10 @@ Create project-specific skills in `.opencode/skills/` within your project.
 
 ## Updating
 
-Superpowers updates automatically when you restart OpenCode. The plugin is re-installed from the git repository on each launch.
+OpenCode installs Superpowers through a git-backed package spec. Some OpenCode
+and Bun versions pin that resolved git dependency in a lockfile or cache, so a
+restart may not pick up the newest Superpowers commit. If updates do not appear,
+clear OpenCode's package cache or reinstall the plugin.
 
 To pin a specific version, use a branch or tag:
 
@@ -112,6 +119,26 @@ Skills written for Claude Code are automatically adapted for OpenCode:
 2. Verify the plugin line in your `opencode.json` is correct
 3. Make sure you're running a recent version of OpenCode
 
+### Windows install issues
+
+Some Windows OpenCode builds have upstream installer issues with git-backed
+plugin specs, including cache paths for `git+https` URLs and Bun not finding
+`git.exe` even when it works in a normal terminal. If OpenCode cannot install
+the plugin, try installing with system npm and pointing OpenCode at the local
+package:
+
+```powershell
+npm install superpowers@git+https://github.com/obra/superpowers.git --prefix "$HOME\.config\opencode"
+```
+
+Then use the installed package path in `opencode.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "plugin": ["~/.config/opencode/node_modules/superpowers"]
+}
+```
+
 ### Skills not found
 
 1. Use OpenCode's `skill` tool to list available skills