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This guide gets you from a fresh Traycer install to one useful coding-agent interaction. If you have not installed Traycer yet, start with Install.
This is the Desktop path. If you are using the IDE extension, use the IDE Extension docs.

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Before You Start

You need:
  • Traycer installed.
  • A local code folder you want Traycer to work with.
  • At least one coding agent path available.

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First Run

1

Open Traycer Desktop

Launch Traycer and choose the workspace folder for the repository or project you want to work on.
2

Create a Task

A Task is the container for this piece of work. It can hold chats, terminal agents, files, git diff, and artifacts.
3

Start in Regular Mode

Use Regular Mode for the first chat. Regular Mode is direct coding-agent work with Traycer controls around it.
4

Describe the change

Ask for a small, concrete change or investigation. Keep the first run narrow so you can inspect the result easily.
5

Review the result

Use the File Tree and Git Diff panels inside the Task to inspect what changed.
6

Try Epic Mode for structured work

Switch to Epic Mode when the work needs planning, durable artifacts, tickets, or more careful intent preservation.

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What You Just Used

ThingWhat it means
Workspace folderThe local code folder Traycer is working against.
TaskThe top-level container for this work.
Regular ModeDirect coding-agent work.
Epic ModeTraycer’s structured planning layer for artifact-heavy work.
ArtifactA durable spec, ticket, story, or review inside a Task.

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Next Steps

Learn the Concepts

Understand Tasks, panels, modes, and artifacts.

Use chats

Understand permissions, model selection, attachments, voice input, and per-turn settings.

Plan work in Epic Mode

Use Traycer’s planning layer for work that needs specs, tickets, stories, or reviews.

Set up Agents & Models

Configure Codex, Claude Code, OpenCode, Cursor, or Traycer.

Review changes

Use git diff and review artifacts to inspect work before shipping.