Quick start

1. Run axel

axel

The first time, Axel walks you through setup: it checks your machine, then creates your first agent. Name it (say atlas), pick its harness, a few skills, a colour and a mode. That generates its key, stores it in your keychain, and signs an attestation that you own it. Later agents: axel setup again, or axel agent new.

2. The launcher

Setup ends in the launcher. From then on, run axel in any Rex terminal (or press your key binding). Two panes float over the window:

╭ why not today? ────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
│ › What are we building?                           atlas · api       │
├ threads ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ › type to filter                                    4 open · 2 settled │
│ ○ Rate-limit the public API   atlas        api       3   41k   2h ago │
│ ● Migrate billing to Stripe   nova vega     billing   5  120k  12m ago │
╰────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯

The window takes the project's name. Run axel again to close both panes.

3. Type, press Enter

› add retries to the webhook sender @atlas

Enter launches straight away with what the right of the prompt shows: the agent you used last (or the one an @name picks) working in place in the current directory. A name you put first is dropped from the prompt (@atlas add retries… sends "add retries…").

Want something else? Press Tab for the full form: which projects (several, or none for a scratch thread), which agent, and whether to work in place or in a new git worktree.

4. Follow the thread

The prompt pane becomes the thread view: the conversation above, a composer below.

• Write to steer the agent. While it's mid-turn, your message goes into its turn, and it reads it at its next step. Until then you can still edit it (Option+↑). Ctrl+S interrupts the agent instead.
• Tool calls fold into one line; Space expands them.
• Questions and permission requests appear inline. Answer with Enter, or 1–9 to pick.
• Mention another agent, @nova can you review this?, to bring it onto the thread.

5. Come back later

Run axel and press ↓ to move into the recent threads. Type to filter, Enter to reopen one. When a thread is finished, Ctrl+S settles it: it stays listed, dimmed, under the open ones. Ctrl+X archives it and Ctrl+D (twice) deletes it.

From the command line:

axel thread ls                     # open threads
axel thread resume <id>            # a new session that continues the last conversation
axel thread done <id>              # settle it

Next

• Agents and identity: profiles, keys, and runtime modes.
• Agents working together: send, summons and replies.
• Remote hosts: run atlas on your Mac mini and close the laptop.