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Quickstart

Welcome to Forge! This quickstart guide will have you using AI-powered coding assistance in just a few minutes. By the end, you'll understand how to use Forge for common development tasks.

Before you begin​

Make sure you have a code project to work with (or create a new one using forge).

Step 1: Start your first session​

Choose your preferred startup method:

Navigate first (the traditional way):

cd awesome-project
npx forgecode@latest

Or start from anywhere (much nicer):

npx forgecode@latest /path/to/your/project

This will run Forge. When you first run it, Forge will open your browser to app.forgecode.dev for authorization. Complete the OAuth process to authenticate.

You'll see the Forge prompt inside a new interactive session:

 _____
|  ___|__  _ __ __ _  ___
| |_ / _ \| '__/ _` |/ _ \
|  _| (_) | | | (_| |  __/
|_|  \___/|_|  \__, |\___|
               |___/

New conversation: /new
     Get started: /info, /usage, /help, /conversations
    Switch model: /model
    Switch agent: /forge or /muse or /agent
          Update: /update
            Quit: /exit or <CTRL+D>

> help me add a new feature

Step 2: Understand your codebase​

Let's start by having Forge analyze your project. Once the command is given, Forge will examine your project structure, dependencies, and patterns. Try one of these commands:

Analyze the architecture of this codebase and identify any potential issues

What are the main components and how do they interact?

Identify any code smells or areas that need refactoring

Show me the data flow through this application

What testing strategy is currently in place and how can it be improved?

Step 3: Make your first code change​

Now let's have Forge write some code. Try a simple task:

Add a unit test for tree diffing function

Forge will:

  1. Identify the appropriate file
  2. Make the edit

Step 4: Use Git with Forge​

Forge makes Git operations conversational and intelligent:

What files have I changed?

Commit my changes with a descriptive message

You can also prompt for more complex Git operations:

Create a new branch called feature/quickstart-demo

Show me the last 5 commits

Help me resolve any merge conflicts

Step 5: Debug and fix issues​

Forge excels at debugging and problem-solving. Describe issues in natural language:

There's a bug where users can submit empty forms - help me fix it

Or ask for help with specific errors:

I'm getting "TypeError: Cannot read property 'map' of undefined" - what might be causing this?

Forge will:

  • Analyze the error context
  • Identify potential causes
  • Suggest multiple solutions
  • Implement fixes with your approval

What's next?​

Now that you've learned the basics, explore more advanced features:

Commands ReferenceMaster all commands and options
Custom ProvidersConfigure different AI providers
Advanced ConfigurationCustomize Forge for your workflow

Getting help​

  • In Forge: Type /help or ask "how do I..."
  • Documentation: Browse these guides for detailed information
  • Community: Join our Discord for tips and support

Ready to dive deeper? Explore our comprehensive guides to unlock Forge's full potential for your development workflow.