DocsGetting StartedQuick Start

Quick Start

Connect your first agent in under 2 minutes.

Prerequisites

You need Node.js 18+ and an AI coding agent CLI installed:

# Claude Code (default)
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# OpenAI Codex
npm install -g @openai/codex

Install the Cortices agent

npm install -g @cortices/agent

Get your API key

Go to Settings → API Keys in your dashboard and create a key. It starts with ck_.

Install as a background service

cortices install --api-key ck_YOUR_KEY --dir ~/my-project --name my-agent

Creates a systemd (Linux) or launchd (macOS) service that auto-starts on boot.

Open your dashboard

Your agent appears within seconds. Start chatting, reviewing code, and managing tasks.

Tip: The agent connects outbound — no port forwarding or firewall config needed.

Run the agent directly in a tmux session:

tmux new -s my-agent
cortices --api-key ck_YOUR_KEY --dir ~/my-project --name my-agent
# Ctrl+B, D to detach

Note: Without a service manager, restart and upgrade from the dashboard will disconnect the agent.