> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ade-app.dev/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Install ADE, open a project, create a lane, and run your first agent task.

This page is the shortest useful path. You can tune providers, permissions, Linear, mobile, and worker settings later.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/ade-ac1c6011/lmMpn49wx_3bhn_c/media/landing/hero/desktop.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=lmMpn49wx_3bhn_c&q=85&s=d469ef9ab3625a41acd3c89a891a6816" alt="The ADE desktop app" width="2572" height="1398" data-path="media/landing/hero/desktop.webp" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install ADE">
    One command installs the ADE brain, registers it as a background service, and offers to sign you in and add the desktop app.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash macOS & Linux theme={null}
      curl -fsSL https://ade-app.dev/install.sh | sh
      ```

      ```powershell Windows theme={null}
      irm https://ade-app.dev/install.ps1 | iex
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    Prefer to click? Download the desktop app for [Apple Silicon](https://ade-app.dev/download/mac-arm64), [Intel](https://ade-app.dev/download/mac-x64), or [Windows x64](https://ade-app.dev/download/windows). On Windows, ADE is in beta — [what differs](/docs/getting-started/windows). On Linux, ADE runs headless as the brain and you drive it from elsewhere — see [Connect a machine](/docs/getting-started/connect-machine). Full detail: [Install ADE](/docs/getting-started/install). The optional iOS companion is on [TestFlight](https://testflight.apple.com/join/ZSdJGKPy).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect one AI provider">
    Open **Settings -> AI Providers** and verify at least one provider. Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Factory Droid, and OpenCode are the agent paths.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open a Git repository">
    Use **Open Repository** on the welcome screen or press `Cmd+O` (`Ctrl+O` on Windows). Choose the repository root, not a subfolder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a lane">
    In **Lanes**, create a new lane from your default branch. A lane is ADE's name for a git worktree — it gets its own branch and working copy under `.ade/worktrees/`, isolated from your main checkout.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ask for one small change">
    Open the lane in **Work** or **Chat** and send a narrow task. Start with something easy to inspect.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and commit">
    Use **Files** to inspect the diff, run tests from **Run** or the terminal, then commit and create a PR when it looks right.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## A good first prompt

```text theme={null}
Add a GET /health endpoint that returns { "status": "ok" } and add one test for it.
```

Pick a version of that prompt that fits your project. The goal is to exercise the loop: lane, chat, edit, test, review, commit.

## What to read next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Key concepts" icon="lightbulb" href="/docs/key-concepts">
    Understand the product vocabulary without reading a reference manual.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Run your first agent" icon="robot" href="/docs/getting-started/first-agent">
    More detail on choosing a provider, watching tool calls, and reviewing output.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Lanes" icon="code-branch" href="/docs/lanes/overview">
    How ADE keeps parallel work isolated.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pull requests" icon="code-pull-request" href="/docs/tools/pull-requests">
    How finished lane work moves into GitHub review.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>