Getting started
This guide shows how to open a project, start an agent session and talk to the agent about code.
Before you start
Install and sign in to at least one agent CLI: Claude Code, Codex or OpenCode. SimpleEdit uses your existing login and settings. It does not install an agent for you. See Installing.
1. Open a project
- Start SimpleEdit.
- On the welcome screen, select Open Repository… to open a bare repository, or Checkout Repository… to clone one.
- When you clone, enter the Repository URL and a Destination, then select Clone. SimpleEdit creates a bare repository and a main worktree.
SimpleEdit works best with one worktree per topic. Each agent then works on its own branch.
2. Start a session
A session is one agent (or one terminal) plus its own workspace: editor tabs, diff and git log.
- In the sidebar, select ✦ Agent (or press ⌘T). The default provider starts.
- To pick a provider, right-click ✦ Agent and select the provider’s entry, for example New Codex session · configured default. Models you add to the allowlist in Settings → Models show here too, as New session · followed by the model name.
- Select + Term for a plain terminal.
The agent runs in its own terminal UI, as it does outside SimpleEdit. Type your prompt there.
The dot next to a session shows its state:
| Dot | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pulsing grey | The agent is working. |
| Amber | The agent needs you. |
| Grey | The agent is idle. |
| Bright | Something new you have not seen yet. |
| Red | An error. |
3. Comment on code with Threads
A thread is a conversation with the session’s agent, anchored to lines of code.
- Open a file in the session’s editor, or open a diff from the Git log tab.
- Select the + next to a line. Or select several lines and press ⌘⇧M.
- Type your comment and press Enter.
SimpleEdit sends the comment when the agent is idle and its prompt is empty. It never types into a running turn. The agent answers in the thread. All threads are in the right column, on the Agent threads tab.
4. Manage sessions
Right-click a session in the sidebar:
- Fork: start a copy of the conversation. The original stays as it is.
- Hand off…: start a fresh session with a short summary of the current one. Use this when the context gets long.
- New group with…: group related sessions.
- Close session: end it.
Sessions survive a restart. After a restart, select Resume to continue a session.