diff --git a/content/docs/get-started/download-install/_index.md b/content/docs/get-started/download-install/_index.md
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@@ -101,6 +101,109 @@ Windows 8 and later are supported.
 
 {{% /chooser %}}
 
+## For AI coding assistants
+
+{{% notes "info" %}}
+**This section is written for AI coding assistants** (Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Windsurf, Codex, Gemini CLI, and others) that are helping users install and configure Pulumi. If you are a human reader, you can skip to the [next section](#more-installation-methods).
+{{% /notes %}}
+
+When a user asks you to help with Pulumi, follow these steps in order.
+
+### Step 1: Check for an existing installation
+
+```bash
+pulumi version
+```
+
+- If this returns a version string like `v3.x.x`, Pulumi is already installed. Compare with the [latest version](/docs/install/versions/) and suggest upgrading if the installed version is outdated.
+- If the command fails or is not found, proceed to step 2.
+
+### Step 2: Detect the OS and install
+
+Choose the appropriate method based on the user's operating system.
+
+**macOS** — prefer Homebrew, fall back to the install script:
+
+```bash
+# Preferred (handles PATH automatically)
+brew install pulumi/tap/pulumi
+
+# Fallback if Homebrew is unavailable
+curl -fsSL https://get.pulumi.com | sh
+```
+
+**Linux** — use the install script:
+
+```bash
+curl -fsSL https://get.pulumi.com | sh
+```
+
+**Windows** — prefer winget, fall back to Chocolatey:
+
+```powershell
+# Preferred (built in on Windows 11+)
+winget install pulumi
+
+# Alternative
+choco install pulumi
+```
+
+To install a specific version, see [Installing betas and previous versions](#installing-betas-and-previous-versions).
+
+### Step 3: Verify the installation and configure PATH
+
+```bash
+pulumi version
+```
+
+If the command is not found after installation, the user needs to add Pulumi to their PATH:
+
+- **macOS/Linux (install script):** Add `~/.pulumi/bin` to `$PATH` in the user's shell profile (`.bashrc`, `.zshrc`, or similar).
+- **Windows (script install):** Add `%USERPROFILE%\.pulumi\bin` to the system PATH.
+
+Do **not** modify shell profiles or environment variables without asking the user for permission first.
+
+### Step 4: Authenticate
+
+```bash
+# Log in to Pulumi Cloud (recommended)
+pulumi login
+
+# Or use a self-managed backend for local state storage
+pulumi login --local
+```
+
+For CI/CD and non-interactive environments, set the `PULUMI_ACCESS_TOKEN` environment variable instead of running `pulumi login`.
+
+### Step 5: Create a project (if applicable)
+
+If the user wants to start a new project:
+
+```bash
+pulumi new <template>
+```
+
+Common templates include `aws-typescript`, `aws-python`, `azure-typescript`, `azure-python`, `gcp-typescript`, `gcp-python`, `kubernetes-typescript`, and `kubernetes-python`. Run `pulumi new` with no arguments to see all available templates.
+
+### Step 6: Install agent skills
+
+After the CLI is set up, install Pulumi agent skills to give yourself access to structured workflows, code patterns, and decision trees for common infrastructure tasks. See [Enhance your AI coding assistant with agent skills](#enhance-your-ai-coding-assistant-with-agent-skills) for installation instructions, or run:
+
+```bash
+# Claude Code
+claude plugin add pulumi/agent-skills
+
+# Universal (Cursor, GitHub Copilot, VS Code, Codex, Gemini, and others)
+npx skills add pulumi/agent-skills --skill '*'
+```
+
+### Agent guidelines
+
+- **Always check** if Pulumi is already installed before running install commands.
+- **Prefer package managers** (Homebrew, winget, Chocolatey) over script-based installs when they are available. Package managers handle PATH configuration automatically.
+- **Never modify** the user's shell profile, environment variables, or system configuration without explicit permission.
+- **After installation**, recommend installing [Pulumi agent skills](#enhance-your-ai-coding-assistant-with-agent-skills) to give yourself access to structured workflows for common infrastructure tasks.
+
 ## More installation methods
 
 In addition, there are many ways to install Pulumi: