Quickstart

Connect to your machine and execute on tasks in just 5 minutes

In this Quickstart Guide, you’ll learn how to launch Factory, connect to your codebase, and start making code changes with AI assistance.

Make sure you have access to Factory before getting started.

Step 1: Launch Factory

1. Open Factory

   Open the Factory application in your browser.

   

   By default, your session is configured with settings from your most recent session. First-time users will see default settings: Code Droid, remote connection, and an empty workspace.

Step 2: Configure Your Session

1. Select Your Droid

   Click the Droid Selection button to choose the appropriate droid based on your project needs.

   
2. Select Your Machine Connection

   

   Choose between Local (via Bridge) or Remote connection.

   Local Connection (Bridge)

   1. Download Factory Bridge and open the application
   2. Enter the pairing code displayed in the Machine Connection menu
   3. Set your root directory to your working directory
   4. Bridge automatically scans for repositories from the root directory
   5. Select repositories relevant to this session

   

   Remote Connection

   Connect to a remote workspace (requires GitHub or GitLab integration).

   See our Integrations guide to connect GitHub or GitLab for remote workspaces.

3. Select Model and Tools

   Choose your desired model and activate the necessary tools for your task.

   

   Tools extend Factory’s capabilities through external integrations to connect with Jira, Notion, Slack, and other platforms.

Step 3: Explore Your Codebase

1. Analyze Your Architecture

   Start with a comprehensive overview of your project:

   > Analyze this codebase and explain the overall architecture
   

   Droid reads your files contextually and leverages organizational knowledge to provide comprehensive insights about your project structure and conventions.

   Use the context panel to explore all context leveraged by Droid.

Step 4: Make Your First Code Change

1. Request a Simple Modification

   Try a simple modification to see Droid in action:

   > Add comprehensive logging to the main application startup
   

   Droid will:

   1. Analyze your current logging setup
   2. Propose specific changes with a clear plan
   3. Show you exactly what will be modified

   This transparent review process ensures you maintain full control over all code modifications.

Step 5: Experience Enterprise Workflows

1. Complex Tasks with External Context

   Try more complex tasks that showcase Factory’s enterprise capabilities:

   Security Audit

   > Audit this codebase for security vulnerabilities and create a remediation plan
   

   Integration with Team Tools

   Provide context from your team’s tools using ’@’ mentions or direct links.

   If you’ve integrated these platforms through Factory’s dashboard, Droid can automatically read context from Jira, Notion, Slack, and other sources.

Best Practices

Be Specific with Context

Instead of: “Fix the bug”
Try: “Fix the authentication timeout issue where users get logged out after 5 minutes instead of the configured 30 minutes”

Leverage Organizational Knowledge

“Following our team’s coding standards, implement the user preferences feature described in ticket PROJ-123”

Use the Review Workflow

Always review Droid’s proposed changes before approval. The transparent diff view helps you understand exactly what will be modified.

Congratulations! 🎉

You’ve successfully connected Factory to your codebase and made your first AI-assisted code changes.

Next Steps

Continue exploring Factory’s web platform to maximize your productivity with AI-assisted development.