Droid CLI Quickstart

Install the Droid CLI, start an interactive terminal session, and delegate your first reviewable coding task.

Use this quickstart to install the Droid CLI, start an interactive terminal session, and delegate a first scoped task. You will see how Droid reads your codebase, proposes changes, and waits for review before editing.

Before you begin

Make sure you have:

A terminal open in a code project
A Git repository (recommended for the full workflow demonstration)

Step 1: Install and start Droid

Install Droid CLI

>

Note

Linux users: Ensure xdg-utils is installed for proper functionality. Install with: sudo apt-get install xdg-utils

Then navigate to your project and start the Droid CLI.

bash

> cd /path/to/your/project

> droid

Droid CLI starts in your terminal with modes, autonomy, MCP status, and prompt composer visible.

You'll see Droid's welcome screen in a full-screen terminal interface. If prompted, sign in via your browser to connect to Factory's development agent.

Step 2: understand your codebase

Start by asking Droid to map the project before it edits anything:

> analyze this codebase and explain the overall architecture

> where are the main entry points, test commands, and code conventions?

Droid reads the files it needs, summarizes the architecture, and identifies the checks it should run before making changes.

Step 3: run your first reviewable change

Ask for one small, verifiable change:

> add structured logging to the app entry point and replace the existing console calls

Droid will:

1
Inspect the current implementation.
2
Propose a plan when the task needs one.
3
Show the exact diff.
4
Wait for approval before editing.
5
Run the relevant validators when you ask it to finish the task.

Review the diff and run the relevant tests before accepting the change. This propose-and-approve loop is how you keep control as you delegate more work.

Step 4: pick a goal to go deeper

Implement larger features

Use Specification Mode so Droid writes a plan before it starts a multi-step implementation.

Review and harden changes

Review pull requests and local diffs for correctness, security, and edge cases.

Automate headless work

Move repeatable workflows into Droid Exec for scripts, CI, scheduled jobs, and pull request checks.

Coordinate multi-step work

Use Factory Missions when a task needs planning, delegation, validation, and checkpoints.

Step 5: handle version control

Droid makes Git operations conversational and intelligent:

> review my uncommitted changes and suggest improvements before I commit

> create a well-structured commit with a descriptive message following our team conventions

Essential controls

Here are the key interactions you'll use daily:

Action	What it does	How to use
Send message	Submit a task or question	Type and press `Enter`
Multi-line input	Write longer prompts	`Shift`+`Enter` for new lines
Approve changes	Accept proposed modifications	Accept change in the TUI
Reject changes	Decline proposed modifications	Reject change in the TUI
Switch modes	Toggle between modes	`Shift`+`Tab`
Bash mode	Run shell commands directly without AI interpretation	Press `!` on an empty input; `Esc` to return
Transcript view	Toggle detailed transcript with full message details	`Ctrl`+`O`
Mission Control	Toggle Mission Control overlay (orchestrator sessions)	`Ctrl`+`T`
Close overlay	Dismiss the active overlay or menu	`Escape`
Scroll transcript	Navigate through previous turns	`Alt`+`Up` / `Alt`+`Down`
View shortcuts	See all available commands	Press `?`
Exit session	Leave droid	`Ctrl`+`C` or type `exit`

Useful slash commands

Quick shortcuts to common actions:

Command	What it does
`/review`	Start the code review workflow (learn more).
`/settings`	Configure droid behavior, models, and preferences.
`/model`	Switch between AI models mid-session.
`/sessions`	List and resume previous sessions.
`/fork`	Fork the current session into a new branch.
`/compress`	Compress the current session to free up context.
`/missions`	Open the Missions menu to launch multi-agent projects.
`/droids`	Manage custom Droids (specialized subagents).
`/skills`	Manage prompt-based skills (reusable procedures).
`/hooks`	Manage tool execution hooks for lifecycle automation.
`/plugins`	Manage plugins and marketplaces.
`/mcp`	Manage Model Context Protocol servers.
`/account`	Open your Factory account settings in the browser.
`/billing`	View and manage your billing settings.
`/help`	See all available commands.

Learn how to create custom slash commands →

Related resources

AutoWiki

Turns a repository into browsable architecture and setup documentation.

Local Code Review

Starts /review for uncommitted changes, commits, and branch diffs.

Agent Readiness

Scores whether a repository is ready for larger autonomous work.

AGENTS.md

Teaches Droid repository-specific conventions before it edits code.