AX CODE / Installation guide

Meet your next coding workspace.

Choose Desktop for a graphical workspace, or install CLI-only for terminal and headless workflows.

Recommended · Desktop

AX Code Desktop

Projects, sessions, Git, files and a terminal in one app. Includes the AX Code runtime; no separate CLI or Node.js installation is needed.

Close AX Code before installing. The installer verifies the signed release and keeps user data and credentials. macOS and Ubuntu may ask for an administrator password. On Windows, confirm the publisher is DEFAI Private Limited.

Installation README Install CLI only

Start with your project

Open AX Code from Applications, the Start menu or your app menu. Add a project folder, configure a model provider in the app, then start a session and review the changes.

Start with a question about your project. Then ask for one small change. Read the proposed changes and command permission prompts, run your project checks, and review the diff before committing.

Manual packages

GitHub Releases ↗

Verify a manual download ↗

02 / CLI / TUI

Install CLI only

For terminal, SSH and headless workflows on supported hosts. Desktop does not require this separate CLI. The standalone installers include the required Node.js runtime.

View published releases Installation guide Docs

After installation, open your terminal

Open a terminal in your project folder, then run ax-code. Use a repository you know for your first session.

ax-code

Connect a model

Inside AX Code, type /connect. Choose a supported provider and follow its setup prompts. For local inference, use AX Engine on supported Apple Silicon Macs or another supported local runtime. For a cloud model, sign in or provide the credentials requested by your provider.

/connect

Coding CLIs

Connect Claude Code, Codex CLI, Muse Code CLI or Grok Build CLI using the CLI’s existing login. Install and sign in to the CLI first.

Claude Code · Codex · Grok Build · Muse

Cloud APIs

Connect a supported cloud provider with its API credentials. Choose the provider and model that fit your task.

API Cloud Provider

Local models

Run models on your machine with AX Engine, Ollama or LM Studio. Start your runtime, then connect it in AX Code.

AX Engine · Ollama · LM Studio

Private GPU cloud

Connect your own OpenAI-compatible GPU endpoint. In /connect, choose Private GPU cloud → Custom provider, then enter your endpoint URL and API key.

OpenAI-compatible endpoint

What are we building next?

Start with a question about your project. Then ask for one small change. Read the proposed changes and command permission prompts, run your project checks, and review the diff before committing.

Find the bug. Fix it. Show me what changed.

ax-code — ~/your-next-project

LocalTiel Coder 35B195 t/s · Illustrative workflow

___________  __     _________________________________
___    |_  |/ /     __  ____/_  __ \__  __ \__  ____/
__  /| |_    /_______  /    _  / / /_  / / /_  __/   
_  ___ |    |_/_____/ /___  / /_/ /_  /_/ /_  /___   
/_/  |_/_/|_|       \____/  \____/ /_____/ /_____/

Find the bug. Fix it. Show me what changed.

✓Inspecting the projectsrc/

✓Preparing a focused change+8 −3

✓Running repository checkstest

↳

Ready for your reviewsrc/utils/validate.ts +8 −3

›What are we building next?

AX CodeYour project. Your next move.

src/utils/validate.ts +8 −3

  export function isValid(value) {−   return value.length > 0;+   if (typeof value !== 'string') {+     return false;+   }+   return value.trim().length > 0;  }

Inspect execution records, review file changes, and compare runs before deciding what to keep.

✓Ready for your review

Illustrative workflow01 / AX CODE

Desktop and CLI update independently

Desktop updates its bundled runtime with the app. A separate CLI keeps its own installation channel and version. Installing or updating one does not install or update the other.

Installers support Apple Silicon Macs, Windows x64 and Ubuntu 24.04+ on amd64 or arm64. Intel Macs and Windows ARM64 have no current installer.

Need a hand?

Desktop · Installation README ↗

CLI / TUI

If ax-code is not found after installation, reopen your terminal. If it still fails, check that the installed command is on PATH. Run ax-code doctor for diagnostics. If a model cannot connect, check its credentials or that your local runtime is running.

ax-code doctor

Standard is free for personal and commercial use. v8.0 downloads are upcoming; Business pricing and terms will be announced separately. Model-provider charges and hardware costs may apply.