Getting started
zaly is an AI coding agent that works in your terminal. It can read and edit files, run commands, and keep a conversation going across sessions. You choose the model and the permissions it receives.
Install and open a project
You need Node.js 22.18.0 or newer, a model-provider account or API key, and a terminal. See installation for supported platforms and terminals.
bun add -g @zaly/clinpm install -g @zaly/clipnpm add -g @zaly/clicd your-project
zalyThe working directory matters: it determines project configuration, instructions, file paths, and the session to resume.
Authenticate and choose a model
- Type
/loginand choose a provider. - Follow the offered authentication method: enter an API key, open the browser, or complete a device-code flow when supported.
- Type
/modeland select a model you have access to.
For a ChatGPT subscription, choose OpenAI Codex, not the OpenAI API-key provider. See the Codex walkthrough. Other options are described in authentication and models.
Ask for a concrete task
Start with something inspectable:
Explain how this project is organized. Read the relevant files, but don't change anything yet.Follow with an implementation request when you're happy with the direction. You can include files with @path/to/file.ts or a range such as @src/main.ts:10-30. Review tool previews and any permission prompts. The default preset is permissive; permissions explains what that means.
Keep talking
You can send another message while work is active. It is picked up at the next safe step boundary, rather than aborting the current model response or tool batch. Use this to correct the approach, add a constraint, or ask a question.
Press Esc or use /stop to stop current work. Use /help for active bindings, /context to inspect context, and /config to edit settings.
Come back later
Starting zaly in the same project resumes its most recent session. Use /new or zaly --new for a fresh session, and /resume to choose another one. See sessions and context for history, masking, and compaction.