> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.coddo.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating Your First Project

> A step-by-step guide to setting up your first project in Coddo.

This guide walks you through creating a project in Coddo and getting it ready for AI-powered development.

## Step 1: Open Coddo

Launch Coddo from your Applications folder. If this is your first time, complete the [onboarding flow](/installation#first-launch) first.

## Step 2: Create or open a project

From the **sidebar**, you have two options:

### Create a new project

1. Click **New Project** from the sidebar
2. Choose a **parent directory** where the project folder will be created
3. Enter a **project name**
4. Coddo creates the folder and initializes it

### Open an existing project

1. Click **Open Project** from the sidebar
2. Navigate to your existing project folder
3. Coddo detects the project and initializes the `.coddo/` directory

## Step 3: Understand the project structure

When Coddo initializes a project, it creates a `.coddo/` directory:

```
your-project/
├── .coddo/              # Coddo data (auto-created)
│   ├── threads/         # Chat thread files
│   ├── attachments/     # Task images and attachments
│   ├── kanban.json      # Kanban board state
│   └── settings.json    # Project settings
├── CLAUDE.md            # Claude Code instructions (optional)
├── AGENTS.md            # Codex instructions (optional)
└── ... your code
```

<Info>The `.coddo/` directory is local to your machine. It is automatically added to `.gitignore` by Coddo.</Info>

## Step 4: Set up CLAUDE.md / AGENTS.md

Before chatting with your agent, create a `CLAUDE.md` (Claude Code) or `AGENTS.md` (Codex) file to give it context about your project. Use the [built-in editor](/features/claude-md) or create it manually — Coddo can also generate both with AI from your codebase.

Key things to include:

* Your tech stack and frameworks
* Build and run commands
* Coding conventions
* Important project rules

## Step 5: Create your first tasks

Switch to the **Kanban** view and start creating tasks:

1. Click **+ New Task**
2. Write a descriptive title
3. Add detailed instructions for the agent
4. Choose a provider (Claude Code or Codex), a model, and an execution mode (worktree or direct)
5. Optionally add tags and attach images
6. The task appears in the **Backlog** column

## Step 6: Start coding with your agent

1. Move a task to **Todo** - Coddo's queue runner automatically picks it up
2. Watch the task move to **In Progress** as the agent starts working
3. Click on the task to see the live conversation in the detail panel
4. When done, the task moves to **Review** - check the changes
5. Validate and merge (worktree) or commit (direct), then move to **Done**

## Tips for success

* **Write clear instructions** - The more specific your task instructions, the better the agent's output
* **Use worktree mode** for independent tasks that can run in parallel
* **Review changes carefully** - Check the diff before merging
* **Iterate** - If the first attempt isn't right, send another message from the review state