Quickstart

Install the CLI, pair it with your account, set up a pod and project, create an agent, and send your first message.

Before you start

- A Ren account - Node.js 18 or later

1. Install the CLI

npm install -g @renai-labs/cli

Verify the install:

ren --version

For full install options (including Homebrew and manual binary), see Install the CLI.

2. Pair with your account

ren init

The CLI opens a browser to authenticate. Approve the pairing request, then return to your terminal.

Confirm you’re paired:

ren whoami

You should see your account details printed.

3. Find or create a pod

A pod is the compute environment where your agents run.

Check if you already have one:

ren pods list

If a pod appears, note its ID and skip ahead to step 4.

If the list is empty, create one:

ren pods create --name "My Pod"

Note the podId from the output. You’ll need it next.

4. Create a project

A project groups agents and their sessions inside a pod.

ren projects create --pod-id <podId> --name "Onboarding"

Replace <podId> with the ID from step 3. Note the projectId from the output.

5. Create an agent and add it to the project

An agent is the AI worker that carries out tasks.

Create the agent:

ren agents create --name "My Agent" --icon "🤖"

Note the agentId from the output.

List the available models and copy an id:

ren models list

Create a version with a system prompt and one of those model ids:

ren agents versions create <agentId> --prompt "You are a helpful assistant." --model <model-id>

Add the agent to your project:

ren projects agents add <projectId> --agent-id <agentId>

6. Start a session and open it

Create a session against your pod and project:

ren sessions create --pod-id <podId> --project-id <projectId> --title "First chat"

Note the session id from the output, then get its connection URL:

ren sessions url <sessionId>

Open that URL in your browser to chat with your agent. That’s your first session running on Ren.

To drive sessions from your own code instead, see the TypeScript SDK.