Opencode Quick Start Guide: From Installation to Efficient Configuration

When new users first encounter Opencode, their most pressing questions are: Is Opencode hard to install? How do I use Opencode? How should I configure it to maximize its power?

This article provides a comprehensive quick-start guide.

1. Opencode Installation

Opencode supports multi-platform installation. Choose based on your operating system:

macOS: Recommended via Homebrew
```
brew install opencode
```

Windows: Recommended via Chocolatey or NPM

choco install opencode
# OR
npm install -g opencode-ai

Linux: Download the binary directly or use a package manager.

Detailed installation tutorials can be found at: Opencode Getting Started.

2. How to Use Opencode?

Once installed, follow these steps to start your first AI-driven task:

Open Project: Open your code folder in the IDE.
Invoke AI: Use the shortcut Cmd+K (macOS) or Ctrl+K (Windows).
Give Instructions: Type your requirement in the input box, e.g., "Help me refactor this logic into a generic Hook."
Review and Accept: The AI will show suggested changes. Click Accept to apply them.

3. Core Configuration (Opencode Config)

To help the AI understand your project better, we recommend the following:

Model Selection: Configure your API Key in the settings. For speed, choose Claude 3.5 Sonnet; for privacy, connect to a local Ollama instance.
Project Context: Create an AGENTS.md file in the root directory to briefly explain the project architecture and coding standards.
Shortcut Customization: Adjust shortcuts to your preference in "Preferences".

For more advanced settings, refer to: Opencode Advanced Configuration.

4. Summary

The barrier to entry for Opencode is very low, but its potential is immense. With simple installation and proper configuration, you can have a senior architect on standby 24/7.

For more tips, follow the OpenCodex Blog.