# Quickstart

### Install the extension

1. Open VS Code. Go to the Extensions panel (`Cmd+Shift+X` on Mac, `Ctrl+Shift+X` on Windows/Linux).
2. Search for **CodeMate** and install the Cora Agent extension or just click here [CORA](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=CodeMateAI.codemate-agent).
3. Sign in with your CodeMate account when prompted. The Cora panel will appear in the activity bar.

#### Codemate Toolbox

Already have Toolbox installed? Install CORA without touching the marketplace.

1. Open **Codemate Toolbox**.
2. Navigate to **CORA → Install Extension**.
3. Toolbox detects your installed editors and installs the extension automatically.

Don't have Toolbox yet? [Download it here](https://app.codemate.ai/download).

***

### Run your first prompt

1. Open a project folder in your IDE, or start with an empty folder for a new project.
2. Open the Cora panel and select a mode. For a new project, start with **Auto** Cora will plan before it builds.
3. Write a prompt describing what you want to build. Be specific about the domain, key features, and any technical requirements.

```
Build a multi-tenant SaaS analytics dashboard with user auth,
role-based access, a data ingestion API, real-time charts,
and an admin panel for managing organizations.
```

4. Cora will output an architecture plan before writing any files. Review it this is where stack choices and implicit requirements are surfaced. You can push back or ask questions before execution begins.
5. Once you confirm, Cora builds the project layer by layer: foundation, then services, then data layer, then frontend, then integration. Files appear in your workspace as they're generated.

***

### Next steps

After the initial build, continue the conversation to add features, ask questions about the codebase, or run a review pass on recent changes.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.codemate.ai/cora/quickstart.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.