Getting started
e is the coding agent you can put anywhere. It runs on macOS and glibc Linux, on ARM64 and x86-64, and works in any directory you trust.
On this page
Install
The installer verifies the release for your platform and writes the binary to
~/.local/bin. Run e --version to print the build you have.
Install covers package managers, preview channels, and builds
from source.
Open a project
Start e in the directory you want it to work in:
cd your-project
e
On the first visit, e asks whether you trust the directory. Trust lets e load the repository's own instructions and resources. Trust is not a sandbox.
A session with no terminal cannot answer the trust panel. Record the decision
first with e trust [dir]. Instructions
explains what trust loads.
Connect a model
Run /login and follow the provider's sign-in or API-key flow. Then open
/models and pick a model.
/login <provider>connects one provider by name.- For scripts, a provider's usual environment variable works, such as
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY.
Models & providers covers local servers,
~/.e/models.json, context windows, and pricing.
Run your first task
Type a question or describe a change, then press enter. e reads files, edits code, and runs shell commands to answer:
Find the authentication entry point.
Explain how a request reaches the session check.
For an edit, name the behavior you want and the checks that should pass. Read the diff and the test output before you commit.
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
ctrl+o | open the transcript reader |
esc | return to the composer |
ctrl+c | cancel the running turn |
Where to go next
- Sessions: resume, branch, compact, and export a conversation.
- Settings:
~/.e, and every preference in it. - Command line: run options, and the commands inside a session.
- Extensions: add tools, commands, and hooks in any language.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | What to check |
|---|---|
e: command not found | Add ~/.local/bin to PATH and open a new terminal. Package managers install into a directory PATH already has. |
/models lists nothing | Run /login to connect a provider. For a local model, start its server before you open the picker. |
| The trust panel keeps returning | The directory is untrusted. Answer the panel, or record the decision with e trust [dir]. |
| You need the full reference | e docs lists every topic, and e docs <topic> prints one. |