VibeCommandBeta preview
VibeCommand / Getting started

Getting started

Prepare the Mac. Take the work with you.

Use your coding agent to help configure an installed Mac companion, or follow the manual steps. Pair your iPhone or iPad when the Mac is ready.

THE AGENT-ASSISTED PATH

Ask the agent already on your Mac.

After installing the matching beta companion and starting its backend, ask Claude Code, Codex or another local coding agent to inspect and configure VibeCommand through its official CLI.

EXAMPLE REQUEST

Help me configure the VibeCommand companion installed on this Mac. Start with its CLI onboarding and capabilities commands. Check the connection and installed agents, explain what is missing, and ask before installing dependencies or changing the background service. Do not expose credentials.

The installed CLI starts with two read-only checks:

vibecommand onboard --json
vibecommand capabilities --json

If the command is not on your PATH, its installed location is ~/Library/Application Support/DevNode/bin/vibecommand. The historical DevNode folder name is expected.

The CLI reports the capabilities of your running backend and can help manage agent selection, project roots and connection diagnostics. Follow its reported next steps. This path configures an installed companion; it does not yet replace installation on a fresh Mac, account sign-in or macOS permission prompts.

The setup flow can configure VibeCommand’s background service and install tmux with your approval if Homebrew is already available. Claude Code uses tmux; Codex does not require it. Install and sign in to Tailscale separately, then continue with pairing below.

The manual path

  1. Prepare your Mac.

    Open VibeCommand and start its companion service. Choose a small project for your first session, with files you are comfortable changing.

    Install and sign in to your chosen compatible coding agent on the Mac. Try it there first, so its account and permissions are ready. AI provider accounts and subscriptions are separate from VibeCommand.

  2. Connect your private network.

    Install Tailscale on the Mac and mobile device and sign in to the same private network. Keep the Mac awake while working remotely.

    Tailscale installation guide · Mac sleep settings

    Tailscale runs as a VPN and can stay connected when VibeCommand is closed. It has its own battery cost, depending on traffic and configuration. The agent and builds run on your Mac; your phone displays messages and, when open, the LIVE preview. Connection and battery details

  3. Pair with a QR code.

    On the Mac, open Connection Settings and create a pairing code. On your iPhone or iPad, choose Scan Mac Pairing Code. Allow camera and local-network access if requested.

    Pair each device separately. If a code expires, create a fresh one. Keep codes private: they grant access to your Mac.

  4. Send a small task.

    Open the sample project, choose an agent under More and return to Chat. Ask it to make one small change. Follow the response and handle any permission request.

    For example: “Change the page heading to Hello from VibeCommand. Keep everything else unchanged.” For a task about the Mac itself, open Mac Assistant at the top of the project list.

  5. Inspect it in LIVE.

    Start the project’s preview, wait for its development server to become ready, and open LIVE. Check the heading, then return to the same conversation.

    If a build is still running, check its output. If the connection is interrupted, restore the network and check the project’s current state.

Need a hand? The support guide covers pairing, Mac Assistant, agent logins, sleep and LIVE. Some macOS permission requests must be handled on the Mac.