# Start your first conversation

> Open a project, connect an AI provider, pick a model and a run mode, then work with an agent.

An agent conversation is where you ask an AI agent to read, change or explain the code in a project. This page walks through the first one, from opening a folder to reviewing the result.

## 1. Open a project

A project is a folder on your computer. On the home screen, choose one of:

- **Open a project** to pick a local folder.
- **Recent projects** to reopen a folder you used before.

To work on a folder that lives on another computer, see [Remote machines](../connect/remote-machines.md).

On Windows, **Open folder…** in the menu does the same thing.

## 2. Connect an AI provider

Vato does not sell AI usage: each agent runs on **your own account** with the provider. Open **Settings → Providers** to see which ones are ready. Each row shows **Connected** or **Not connected**.

| Provider | How to connect it |
| --- | --- |
| **Claude** | Add your Claude account in **Settings → Providers → Add account**, or sign in with `claude auth login` in a terminal. |
| **Codex** | Add your ChatGPT account with **Add account**, or sign in with `codex login`. |
| **Gemini** | **Add account**, sign in with Google, then paste the code into **Authorization code** and click **Submit code**. |
| **Cursor** | Paste your key into **Cursor API key**, or sign in with `cursor-agent login`. |
| **OpenRouter** | Paste your key into **OpenRouter API key** and click **Save**. |
| **Antigravity** | Paste a Gemini key into **Gemini API key (Antigravity)**. |
| **OpenCode** | Install OpenCode. Free models work without an account. |
| **Vato AI** | Nothing to do: it is available as soon as you are signed in to Vato. |

Grok is also listed. For every provider in detail, see [Connect your AI accounts](connect-ai-accounts.md).

When a provider needs a command-line tool that isn't installed, click **Open terminal** on its row: Vato opens a terminal with the right install or sign-in command.

> [!NOTE]
> Your provider credentials stay on this computer. Your phone and other remote clients only see the account label, email and plan.

## 3. Start the conversation

1. Click **New Agent** at the top of the sidebar.
2. In **Choose a project**, select your project.
3. Type your request in the message field and press Enter.

Be specific: say what you want, where, and how you'll know it's done. For example: *"Add a dark mode toggle to the settings page and keep the user's choice after a restart."*

## 4. Choose a model

The model name under the message field opens the model picker. Search for a model, keep **Automatic** to let Vato choose, or star models to find them under **Favorites**.

If a model belongs to a provider that isn't connected, the picker says so and offers **Sign in**.

## 5. Choose a run mode

The **+** menu of the message field has a **Run mode** section. It decides what the agent may do without asking you.

| Mode | What the agent can do |
| --- | --- |
| **Plan** | Suggests a plan without changing any file. |
| **Default permissions** | Asks before editing files, running commands or going outside the project. |
| **Approve for me** | A reviewer allows safe actions automatically and asks you only for risky ones. |
| **Full access** | Never asks. Use it only on projects you are ready to let the agent change freely. |

A mode change during a running turn applies to your next message.

> [!TIP]
> Start with **Plan** for a big change. When the plan looks right, switch to **Default permissions** and ask the agent to implement it.

## 6. Add context

- Type `@` to mention a file, a folder or another conversation.
- Use **Add image or file** in the **+** menu, or paste or drag files onto the conversation.
- Type `/` to open **Commands and skills**.
- Use the microphone button to **Record a voice note** instead of typing.

## 7. Follow and steer the agent

While the agent works, you can:

- Click **Stop turn** to stop it.
- Send another message. Choose **Add to queue** to send it after the current turn, or **Steer** to send it right away without interrupting.
- Answer its questions and approval requests as they appear in the conversation.

### Follow subagents

When the agent hands part of the work to a subagent, a **Subagent** card appears in the conversation, with a spinner while it runs. Click it to open that subagent's own conversation and follow it live. Click **Main conversation** to go back. The cards stay visible after the turn ends, and they also appear in Bot chats.

## 8. Go back in time

Hover one of your earlier messages and choose **Edit and restore from this message**. Vato asks **Rewind to this message?** and warns you if files created after that message will be deleted. See [Checkpoints and rewind](checkpoints-and-rewind.md) for details.

With **Claude** and **Codex**, the rewind also restores your files to how they were at that message. With other providers, only the conversation goes back; your files stay as they are.

## Next steps

- [Follow the conversation from your phone](../mobile/companion-app.md)
- [Let the agent use your own browser](../browser/vato-browser-extension.md)

Source: https://vatoide.com/docs/agents/first-conversation