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

# Open your first project

> Point ADE at a Git repository — open a local folder or clone from GitHub — and let it create local project state.

Use **Open Repository** on the welcome screen or press `Cmd+O` (`Ctrl+O` on Windows). Choose the root of a Git repository, or clone one straight from GitHub. If you pick a subfolder, ADE finds the repository root automatically.

## What ADE creates

On first open, ADE creates a local `.ade/` directory:

```text theme={null}
.ade/
  ade.db
  worktrees/
  artifacts/
  cache/
  secrets/
```

This holds local runtime state, lane worktrees, transcripts, proof, and credentials. It should normally be gitignored.

Your repository root becomes the **primary lane** — it always exists and is edit-protected. Every other lane you add is a separate worktree under `.ade/worktrees/`, so agent work never touches your main checkout until you choose to merge it.

If the folder you pick is itself a Git worktree of another repository, ADE recognizes that and offers to open it as a lane in the owning project instead of creating a duplicate project. See [Repos and worktrees](https://ade-app.dev/docs/lanes/overview.md#repos-projects-and-worktrees).

> [!WARNING]
>
> Do not commit `.ade/` wholesale. It contains machine-local paths and state. If your project needs shared ADE defaults later, use the project configuration flow rather than committing local secrets or runtime files.

## First setup

The setup flow checks the basics:

* Git is installed.
* At least one AI provider is ready.
* GitHub is available if you want PR management.
* Linear is available if your team uses it.
* Optional mobile pairing can be configured later in Settings.

You can skip any step and return to it from **Settings**.

## After opening

Create a lane before running your first agent. That keeps your primary checkout clean and gives the task its own branch and worktree.

> [card] [Your first task](https://ade-app.dev/docs/getting-started/first-task.md)
>
> Start isolated work for a small task.

> [card] [Connect a provider](https://ade-app.dev/docs/getting-started/connect-provider.md)
>
> Make sure at least one agent is ready to run.


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