Quickstart
Start an interactive Octomind session through OctoHub, then learn the commands you need day-to-day.
Start in Three Commands
# Install
curl -fsSL https://octomind.run/install.sh | bash
# Authorize the CLI in your browser; no provider API keys are needed
octomind login
# Start an interactive session in the current directory
octomindThe first command installs the binary. Login stores an OctoHub gateway credential in Octomind's user configuration
directory. The final command is equivalent to octomind run: it creates the default configuration if none exists,
resolves the default assistant:concierge tap agent, and uses the shipped octohub:auto model profile.
The first use of a tap agent fetches its manifest and dependencies, so it requires network access. Once the prompt appears, ask Octomind to inspect, explain, change, or verify the project in the directory where you started it.
Bring Your Own Key Instead
Login is optional. Follow AI Providers to configure a direct provider, including the separate supervisor and compression profiles.
Try a First Task
Enter a request at the session prompt:
Explain how this project is structured and identify the best starting point for a new contributor.Octomind can use the tools enabled for the active role. Inspect the current tools before requesting file edits, shell commands, or delegation; a tap's fetched manifest determines which capabilities are available:
/mcpEssential Session Commands
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
/help | Show the commands available to the active role |
/info | Show session, token, and cost details |
/status [agents|monitors|jobs] | Show background activity |
/model <provider:model> | Change the session model |
/image <path> | Attach an image to the next message |
/done | Force context compression and start lesson extraction when learning is enabled |
/clear | Clear the terminal |
/copy [scope] | Copy the last response, or assistant/user/all |
/exit | Exit the session; Ctrl+D also exits interactive input |
For example, inspect a session, finish a task, and then exit:
/help
/info
/status
/done
/exitSee Sessions for model switching and image attachment examples.
Choose a Role or Tap Agent
The optional positional argument to octomind run is a tag:
- A plain name such as
assistantselects a local[[roles]]entry. - A
category:varianttag such asdeveloper:generalresolves an agent from the configured taps.
# Configured default tag
octomind
# Registry agent
octomind run developer:generalPlain names require a configured local role. See Roles for a complete local-role example and the Tap System for registry resolution.
Name and Resume Sessions
# Create a named session, or resume it when it already exists
octomind run --name my-feature
# Resume a named session
octomind run --resume my-feature
# Open the interactive recent-session picker
octomind run --resume
# Resume the most recent session for this working directory
octomind run --resume-recentRun Non-Interactively
--format switches octomind run to stdin-driven operation. Use plain for text or jsonl for events. The positional
argument is the agent tag, so pipe the prompt through stdin:
echo "Explain the authentication module" | \
octomind run developer:general --format plain
echo "List TODO items" | \
octomind run developer:general --format jsonlPiped stdin also selects non-interactive operation without --format, using plain output. Empty stdin is an error.
Common Questions
Why does startup need network access? Tap resolution fetches agent definitions and may run dependency setup; model requests also need access to the selected provider. For a failed login on a headless machine:
octomind login --no-browserWhy does a command say no input was provided? A non-interactive run needs a nonempty stdin prompt:
printf '%s\n' 'Summarize this project.' | octomind run --format plainSee also
- Configuration — customize models, roles, tools, and limits
- AI Providers — choose OctoHub or configure provider credentials
- Sessions — manage interactive and persistent sessions
- MCP Tools — understand the tool surface