# Getting Started

This guide walks you through your first session with LogiCoal.

## Login

Before using LogiCoal, you need to authenticate:

```bash
logicoal login
```

This opens your browser to coals.ai where you'll log in or create an account. Once authenticated, the browser shows a success message and you can close the tab. Your credentials are saved locally — you only need to do this once.

To check your login status at any time:

```bash
logicoal status
```

This shows your username, team, plan, and remaining token balance.

## Launch the Interface

On macOS, the installer automatically opens a Terminal window running LogiCoal after installation. Otherwise, open your terminal and run:

```bash
logicoal
```

If you're not logged in, you'll see a welcome screen prompting you to press Enter to authenticate.

## The Interface

Once launched, you'll see:

- **Header bar** — Shows your username, plan info, current working directory, connected MCP servers, and remaining credits
- **Chat area** — Conversation between you and the AI, with markdown rendering and syntax-highlighted code
- **Input area** — Where you type messages and commands
- **Mode indicator** — Shows the current operation mode (Normal, Auto, or Plan) in the bottom-left

## Your First Conversation

Just type naturally. LogiCoal understands your project context and can work with your codebase directly:

```
What does this project do?
```

```
Find all the TypeScript files that import from the auth module
```

```
Add input validation to the signup form
```

The AI will read files, search your codebase, and suggest or make changes. You don't need to use any special syntax — plain English works.

## Tool Indicators

When the AI uses tools, you'll see status indicators in the chat:

```
Read(src/auth/login.ts)           ← Reading a file
Bash(npm test)                     ← Running a command
Glob(**/*.test.ts)                 ← Searching for files
Write(src/utils/validate.ts)       ← Creating/updating a file
```

Each indicator shows the tool name and its primary argument. A count of completed tool calls appears as they finish.

## Tool Approval

In **Normal** mode (the default), the AI asks your permission before writing files or running commands. You'll see a prompt like:

```
Write file: src/utils/validate.ts
  ▸ Approve
    Deny
```

Navigate with **Up/Down** arrows and press **Enter**, or press **Y** to approve or **N** to deny directly.

Read-only operations (reading files, searching, listing directories) don't require approval unless they're outside your working directory.

To skip all approval prompts, switch to **Auto** mode with **Shift+Tab** or `/mode auto`. See [Operation Modes](/content/docs/operation-modes/index.html) for details.

## Useful First Commands

| Command       | What it does                                        |
|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| `/help`      | Shows all available commands and current mode       |
| `/init`      | Analyzes your project and generates documentation    |
| `/mode auto` | Switches to autonomous mode (no approval prompts)   |
| `/clear`     | Clears conversation and starts fresh                 |
| `/exit`      | Exits LogiCoal (or press Ctrl+C)                    |

## Next Steps

- Learn about [Operation Modes](/content/docs/operation-modes/index.html) — the most important concept for daily use
- See all [Slash Commands](/content/docs/slash-commands/index.html) available in the chat
- Explore the [Agent System](/content/docs/agents/index.html) for multi-step automated workflows
- Run `/init` in your project to generate [Project Documentation](/content/docs/project-init/index.html)