Origin CLI

Origin is an open-source platform for controlling robots and hardware devices. The origin CLI provides commands to start the server, connect hardware, install apps, and launch control interfaces.

Installation

npm install -g originrobot

Or run directly with npx:

npx originrobot up

This installs the origin CLI globally. You can then run origin up to start the server.

Quick Start

# Start the server and dashboard
origin up

# Install a robotics app from GitHub
origin install https://github.com/user/my-robot-app

# Launch the app on a connected device
origin launch my-robot-app -d toy-car

Once the server is running, open http://localhost:5050 to access the dashboard.

Commands

origin up [options]

# Start with a serial device
origin up --serial /dev/ttyUSB0

# Start with TCP for simulators, no dashboard
origin up --tcp 5051 --no-dashboard

# Custom port with authentication
origin up --port 8080 --token my-secret

origin install <source> [--name <override-id>]

# Install from GitHub
origin install https://github.com/user/robot-teleop

# Install from a local directory (symlink)
origin install ./my-local-app

# Install with a custom ID
origin install https://github.com/user/app --name my-custom-id

origin launch <app-id> --device <device-id> [--mode dev|prod] [--open]

origin launch mujoco-policy-controller -d unitree-go2 --open
  Launching mujoco-policy-controller on device unitree-go2 (dev)...
  ✓ mujoco-policy-controller is running
    frontend -> http://localhost:3001
    backend  -> http://localhost:8000

origin devices [--json]
origin devices info <device-id> [--json]

  ID                TYPE        ACTIONS                              STATE KEYS
  unitree-go2       quadruped   set_position, set_velocity, stand    37
  toy-car           wheeled     moveFwd, moveLeft, moveRight, stop   3

origin secrets set <app-id> <key> <value>
origin secrets list <app-id>

origin secrets set remote-teleop OPENAI_API_KEY sk-abc123...
  ✓ Secret OPENAI_API_KEY set for remote-teleop

origin secrets list remote-teleop
  ✓ OPENAI_API_KEY        required   OpenAI API key for language commands
  ✗ CUSTOM_MODEL_URL      optional   URL to a custom model endpoint

origin status [--json]

App Manifest

Every Origin app contains an origin-app.json manifest at its root. This file declares the app's identity, device requirements, runtime configuration, and secrets.

{
  "name": "My Robot Controller",
  "id": "my-controller",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "author": "yourname",
  "description": "AI-powered robot controller",

  "device": {
    "type": "quadruped",
    "requiredActions": ["set_pos", "reset"],
    "requiredState": ["base_pos_z"]
  },

  "runtime": {
    "type": "nextjs",
    "port": 3001,
    "devCmd": "pnpm dev",
    "env": {
      "NEXT_PUBLIC_ORIGIN_URL": "{{origin.url}}",
      "NEXT_PUBLIC_DEVICE_ID": "{{device.id}}"
    }
  },

  "backend": {
    "type": "python",
    "entry": "backend/main.py",
    "port": 8000,
    "healthCheck": "/api/status"
  },

  "secrets": [{
    "key": "OPENROUTER_API_KEY",
    "description": "API key for LLM inference",
    "required": true
  }]
}

Device Requirements

The device object declares what hardware capabilities your app needs. Origin checks these against connected devices before allowing launch.

Runtime Config

The runtime object configures the frontend process Origin spawns at launch.

Backend Config

The optional backend object configures a secondary process (e.g. Python FastAPI) spawned before the frontend.

Secrets

Declare API keys or credentials your app needs. Users configure these via the CLI or dashboard before launching. Secrets are injected as environment variables at runtime.

"secrets": [
  {
    "key": "OPENROUTER_API_KEY",
    "description": "OpenRouter API key for LLM inference",
    "required": true
  }
]

Template Variables

Origin resolves these placeholders at launch time in env, args, and other string fields:

Origin Marketplace

The Origin Marketplace is a community hub for discovering, installing, and sharing robot control apps. Browse ready-made apps for supported devices, or publish your own for others to use.

Installing Apps from the Marketplace

Each app on the marketplace has a GitHub repository URL. Copy it and install with one command:

# Install from a marketplace app's GitHub URL
origin install https://github.com/OriginRobotVerse/mujoco-policy-controller

# Or install from the dashboard
# Navigate to Apps > Install App and paste the URL

Origin clones the repository, reads the manifest, runs setup commands, and registers the app. You can then configure secrets and launch it against any compatible device.

From the Dashboard

The dashboard's Apps section has an Install App button and a banner linking to the marketplace. Paste a GitHub URL into the source field and click Install. The dashboard shows installation progress and lets you view the app once complete.

Publishing to the Marketplace

Any Origin app with a public GitHub repository can be listed on the marketplace. To prepare your app for publishing:

Requesting New Apps

Don't see an app for your use case? The marketplace accepts community requests. Visit the marketplace to submit a request describing:

• The device type you're targeting (e.g. Unitree Go2, Arduino)
• What the app should do (e.g. teleoperation, gait training, data logging)
• Any specific requirements (backend inference, specific sensors, etc.)

The community and Origin team review requests and may build apps to fill gaps in the ecosystem.

App Categories

API Reference

The Origin server exposes a REST API on port 5050 (default). All endpoints accept and return JSON. If authentication is enabled, include an Authorization: Bearer <token> header.

Devices

curl -X POST http://localhost:5050/devices/toy-car/actions \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"name": "moveFwd", "params": {"speed": 100}}'

Apps

Simulators

SSE Events

Subscribe to real-time events via /events (global) or /devices/:id/events (per-device).

const es = new EventSource("http://localhost:5050/devices/toy-car/events");

es.addEventListener("state.updated", (e) => {
  const data = JSON.parse(e.data);
  console.log("State:", data.data);
});