---
title: "Getting Started with Autohand for VS Code"
source: https://docs.autohand.ai/working-with-autohand-code/code/vscode/getting-started
---

# Getting Started

Install Autohand Code for VS Code and start coding with AI assistance in minutes. This guide walks you through installation, authentication, and your first conversation.

![Autohand Code in VS Code - Public Beta version 0.1.0](/ogs/autohand-vscode-og.png)

## Requirements

-   Visual Studio Code 1.85 or later
-   Autohand account (free tier available)
-   Internet connection for AI features

## Installation

### From the VS Code Marketplace

1.  Open VS Code
2.  Go to Extensions (Cmd+Shift+X / Ctrl+Shift+X)
3.  Search for "Autohand"
4.  Click Install

### From the command line

``` bash
code --install-extension AutohandAI.vscode-autohand
```

### Manual installation

Download the .vsix file from the [VS Code Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=AutohandAI.vscode-autohand) and install via:

``` bash
code --install-extension autohand-code-x.x.x.vsix
```

## Authentication

After installation, you need to authenticate with your Autohand account.

1.  Open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P)
2.  Type "Autohand: Sign In"
3.  Click the button to open the authentication page
4.  Sign in with your Autohand account
5.  Authorize the VS Code extension

You'll see a confirmation message when authentication is complete.

**API Key alternative:** If you prefer, you can authenticate using an API key. Go to Settings > Extensions > Autohand and enter your API key.

## Your first conversation

Once authenticated, you're ready to start coding with Autohand.

### Open the chat panel

-   Click the Autohand icon in the Activity Bar (left sidebar)
-   Or use the keyboard shortcut: Cmd+Shift+A / Ctrl+Shift+A
-   Or open Command Palette and type "Autohand: Open Chat"

### Start a conversation

Type a message in the chat input. Try something like:

``` text
Explain what this file does and suggest any improvements
```

Autohand will analyze your current file and respond with insights and suggestions.

### Make changes

Ask Autohand to make changes to your code:

``` text
Add error handling to the fetchUser function
```

Autohand will propose changes. You can:

-   **Accept** - Apply the changes to your file
-   **Reject** - Discard the proposed changes
-   **Edit** - Modify the changes before applying

## Set up project context

Help Autohand understand your project by creating an AGENTS.md file.

### Generate automatically

1.  Open Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P)
2.  Type "Autohand: Initialize Project"
3.  Review the generated AGENTS.md file

### Create manually

Create an `AGENTS.md` file in your project root:

``` markdown
# AGENTS.md

## Project overview
A React application for managing user tasks.

## Tech stack
- React 18 with TypeScript
- Tailwind CSS for styling
- React Query for data fetching

## Commands
- `npm run dev` - Start development server
- `npm test` - Run tests
- `npm run build` - Production build

## Code style
- Use functional components with hooks
- Prefer named exports
- Write tests for business logic
```

## Keyboard shortcuts

| Action | Mac | Windows/Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Open chat panel | Cmd+Shift+A | Ctrl+Shift+A |
| Inline suggestion | Cmd+I | Ctrl+I |
| Accept suggestion | Tab | Tab |
| Reject suggestion | Escape | Escape |
| Explain selection | Cmd+Shift+E | Ctrl+Shift+E |
| Fix selection | Cmd+Shift+F | Ctrl+Shift+F |

Customize shortcuts in VS Code Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts.

## Settings

Configure Autohand in VS Code Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,) under Extensions > Autohand.

| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| autohand.model | AI model to use | z-ai/glm-4.7 |
| autohand.autoSuggest | Enable inline suggestions | true |
| autohand.contextFiles | Max files to include in context | 20 |
| autohand.showInlineHints | Show hints in editor | true |

## Next steps

-   [Explore VS Code features](/docs/working-with-autohand-code/code/vscode/features.html) - Learn about all available features
-   [AGENTS.md guide](/docs/working-with-autohand-code/agents-md.html) - Write better project context
-   [Skills system](/docs/working-with-autohand-code/skills.html) - Extend capabilities with skills
-   [Best practices](/docs/guides/ace/best-practices.html) - Work effectively with AI agents