vercel-install-auth

name	vercel-install-auth
description	Install Vercel CLI and configure API token authentication. Use when setting up Vercel for the first time, creating access tokens, or initializing a project with vercel link. Trigger with phrases like "install vercel", "setup vercel", "vercel auth", "configure vercel token", "vercel login".
allowed-tools	Read, Write, Edit, Bash(npm:*), Bash(npx:*), Bash(vercel:*), Grep
version	1.18.0
license	MIT
author	Jeremy Longshore <[e-mail]>
tags	["saas","vercel","authentication","cli","setup"]
compatibility	Designed for Claude Code

Vercel Install & Auth

Overview

Install the Vercel CLI, create a scoped access token, and link your local project to a Vercel project. This skill covers both interactive login and headless CI token authentication via the REST API.

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+ installed
• npm, pnpm, or yarn available
• A Vercel account (hobby, pro, or enterprise)

Instructions

Step 1: Install Vercel CLI

set -euo pipefail
# Global install (recommended)
npm install -g vercel@latest

# Or project-local
npm install --save-dev vercel@latest

# Verify installation
vercel --version

Step 2: Authenticate — Interactive Login

# Opens browser for OAuth login, stores token in ~/.config/com.vercel.cli
vercel login

# Or login with a specific email
vercel login [e-mail]

# Login with GitHub
vercel login --github

# Login with GitLab
vercel login --gitlab

Step 3: Authenticate — Headless Token (CI/CD)

Create a token in the Vercel dashboard at Settings > Tokens or via the API:

# Use a pre-created token — set as environment variable
export VERCEL_TOKEN="your-access-token-here"

# The CLI reads VERCEL_TOKEN automatically — no login needed
vercel whoami
# Output: your-username

# Scope the token to a specific team
export VERCEL_ORG_ID="team_xxxxxxxxxxxx"
export VERCEL_PROJECT_ID="prj_xxxxxxxxxxxx"

Step 4: Link Local Project

# Interactive — walks you through project selection
vercel link

# Or link to a specific project by name
vercel link --project my-project-name

# Verify the link — pulls .vercel/project.json
 .vercel/project.json