> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.codemate.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.codemate.ai/cora-cli.md).

# CORA-CLI

CORA CLI is a coding assistant that lives in your terminal. You type what you want in plain English; it reads your code, explains it, plans changes, writes them, runs your tests, and reviews the result.

Three things make it different from a chat window in a browser:

1. **It can see your actual project.** It opens the real files in the folder you started it in, not a copy you pasted in.
2. **It can do things, not just describe them.** It can edit files and run commands and every one of those stops and asks you first.
3. **You are always the one who decides.** CORA suggests, edits, and reports, but can never edit without your approval.

***

## What to know before anything else

|                                              |                                                                                                                                |
| -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Everything happens in one folder**         | CORA CLI works on the folder you were in when you started it. That folder is your **project** (also called the **workspace**). |
| **Nothing changes without your say-so**      | Every file edit and every command shows you what it wants to do and waits for you to press a key.                              |
| **Your conversations stay on your computer** | They are saved in a folder in your home directory.                                                                             |

***

## Reading the screen

CORA's screen always has the same parts:

```
cora 0.1.10                                  ← the header

› What does this project do?                 ← what you asked
● read .../package.json                      ← what cora did
● searched for "express" in src
This is a small web service that ...         ← the answer

┌───────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ›                                         │ ← the prompt box: you type here
└ code · ~/my-project ──────────────────────┘ ← mode and project folder
helper scout searching for the router        ← helpers, when any are running
```

| Part                | What it tells you                                                                                                                       |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Header**          | The product name and version.                                                                                                           |
| **Transcript**      | The conversation so far: your messages, what CORA did, and what it said. It scrolls; your mouse wheel works.                            |
| **Tool rows**       | One line per action CORA took: read a file, ran a command, edited something. A grey dot means fine; a red cross means something failed. |
| **Working line**    | While CORA is thinking, a line showing that it is busy and how long it has been going.                                                  |
| **Prompt box**      | Where you type. Its bottom edge shows the **mode** on the left and the **project folder** on the right.                                 |
| **Helper strip**    | Appears under the prompt only while CORA has sent a helper off to read something.                                                       |
| **Context warning** | Appears only when the conversation is getting long see [Conversations and Context](/cora-cli/conversations-and-context.md).             |

Two comfort features:

1. **Click a tool row** to open it and see what it actually printed. Click it again to close it. If you prefer the keyboard, **Ctrl+O** opens the newest one.
2. **Scroll with the mouse wheel.** To *select* text with the mouse, hold **Shift** while you drag the terminal needs that because CORA is listening for clicks.

## Where to go next

| If you want to...                                           | Go to                                                                   |
| ----------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Install CORA CLI and run your first prompt                  | [Quick Start](/cora-cli/quick-start.md)                                 |
| Understand ask, plan, code, and review                      | [Modes](/cora-cli/modes.md)                                             |
| Get better results from your first message                  | [Writing Effective prompts](/cora-cli/writing-effective-prompts.md)     |
| Understand how approvals and permissions work               | [Approvals and Permissions](/cora-cli/approvals-and-permissions.md)     |
| Watch, undo, and manage long-running work                   | [Working with CORA](/cora-cli/working-with-cora.md)                     |
| Manage conversations and the context window                 | [Conversations and Context](/cora-cli/conversations-and-context.md)     |
| Set up AGENTS.md, rules, skills, workflows, and MCP servers | [Configurations](/cora-cli/configurations.md)                           |
| Use CORA in scripts, or connect it to the web               | [Automation and integrations](/cora-cli/automation-and-integrations.md) |
| Look up a command or a keyboard shortcut                    | [Reference](/cora-cli/reference.md)                                     |
| Fix a problem or check a FAQ                                | [Troubleshooting and FAQs](/cora-cli/troubleshooting-and-faqs.md)       |