Quickstart

Install an agent CLI

hob is the surface — you bring your own agent. Install and authenticate at least one supported agent CLI before installing hob:

• Claude Code
• Codex
• OpenCode

Make sure the CLI is available in your PATH. Backend profiles let you run multiple accounts, subscriptions, or config directories for these supported CLIs side by side.

Download hob

Download hob for your operating system, then install it like any other desktop app.

Ask an agent to explain your codebase

After you pick a folder, press Alt+A to open an agent pane. Ask it to orient you in the project.

Explain this codebase. Point me to the main entry points, key modules, and anything I should read before making changes.

The agent searches your repo, reads relevant files, and summarizes how the project fits together — one of the fastest ways to get oriented in unfamiliar code.

Make one small change

Once you understand the project, ask the agent to suggest a few safe improvements, then pick one.

Suggest three small, safe improvements in this codebase. Explain the tradeoffs and wait for me to choose one.

Good first tasks are low risk — tightening some copy, fixing a small UI issue, adding a missing type. If you already know what you want, ask for it directly and describe the result you want.

Tile a terminal and verify

Press Alt+T to open a terminal next to your agent — both panes tile side by side, no tabs. Run whatever checks your project already uses (tests, type checker, linter, a local build):

npm test

When the agent finishes, review the diff and run your checks.

Set up agent instructions

Create an AGENTS.md file in your project root to give every agent persistent context:

# Project Guidelines

- This is a Next.js app with TypeScript, using the App Router
- Run tests with `npm test`
- Follow the existing code style