Getting started

This walkthrough takes you from a fresh computer to an attached terminal in SylvOps. Git is required. Codex and Claude Code are optional.

PREVIEW — Current public release

The public build is an unsigned testing preview. Windows and Linux x86_64 packages are available; macOS is not included. See Installation before downloading.

1. Install Git

Install Git using your operating system's normal method, then confirm it is available:

git --version

SylvOps uses your installed git executable. It never implements Git itself and does not perform network operations merely by registering a repository.

2. Install SylvOps

Follow the instructions for your platform:

• Windows x86_64 preview
• Linux Debian or Ubuntu
• Linux AppImage
• Portable Linux archive

The current public version is 0.1.0-preview.3.

3. Optionally install an agent CLI

You can use the built-in Shell provider without installing another agent. Install and authenticate each agent CLI outside SylvOps.

For Codex, follow the official Codex CLI guide:

codex login
codex login status

For Claude Code, install an official native CLI version 2.1.145 or newer using the official Claude Code setup guide, then sign in with Claude.ai or Anthropic Console:

claude --version
claude auth login
claude auth status

SylvOps does not install or update provider CLIs, perform login, copy credentials, store provider secrets, or choose a provider's permission mode.

4. Launch SylvOps with a repository

From a terminal, give SylvOps the path to an existing Git repository:

sylvops up /path/to/repository

On Windows preview installations, invoke the executable explicitly if you did not add its directory to PATH:

& "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\SylvOps\bin\sylvops.exe" up C:\path\to\repository

up starts or reconnects to the local daemon, creates or reuses the Local workspace, registers the repository, and opens the native desktop client. It does not automatically start an agent.

5. Create or choose a workspace

A Workspace is a local group of repositories you want to supervise together. Use the workspace switcher at the top of the desktop:

1. Select New workspace.
2. Give it a short name, such as Product work.
3. Keep Local if you only need one group.

6. Register a repository

Choose Add repository, then select an existing Git repository. SylvOps records the repository and its current checkout; it does not copy or move it.

In application internals and the CLI, a registered repository is called a Project.

7. Select or create a checkout

Every registered repository has a root checkout. You can work there immediately, or create a managed checkout for an isolated task:

1. Select the repository.
2. Choose New checkout.
3. Enter a new branch name, such as feature/settings-help.
4. Choose a base such as HEAD.

The application calls it a Checkout. Git calls the same thing a worktree.

8. Start a session

Select a checkout, then choose New session:

• Choose Shell for a normal interactive terminal.
• Choose Codex to launch your already-installed and authenticated Codex CLI.
• Choose Claude Code to launch a supported, already-installed and authenticated Claude Code CLI.
• Optionally give the session a display name.

Advanced Codex and Claude Code model, effort, and initial-prompt options are available through the CLI rather than the desktop or TUI form.

9. Open the embedded terminal

Select the session and choose Open terminal. The daemon owns the process, so you can choose Leave terminal or close the desktop without stopping it. Reopen SylvOps later and attach again.

Choose Stop only when you want SylvOps to terminate the session and its complete process tree.

Next steps

• Learn how Git worktrees behave.
• Run several agents safely.
• Review provider setup and troubleshooting.