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

# Send the first message

> Add a project, choose a provider, and finish the first chat in the desktop app.

Once the environment is ready, use the shortest path to prove the app works: add a project → choose a provider → send a message.

## Open a project

1. Launch **ccgui**
2. On Home, pick an existing workspace or **Add project**
3. After you enter the project, the chat canvas is in the middle and the input is at the bottom

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/mossx-docs/kz4nt5KFSKzkAZwe/images/desktop/home-workspace.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=kz4nt5KFSKzkAZwe&q=85&s=5353bc1c92edd044ecd422fafe657f24" alt="Choose or add a project" width="360" data-path="images/desktop/home-workspace.png" />

## Choose a provider

Open the provider / model picker at the bottom of the input and pick one:

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/mossx-docs/kz4nt5KFSKzkAZwe/images/desktop/chat-input.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=kz4nt5KFSKzkAZwe&q=85&s=5563407dfa5e16a8abb9bd4497d0e787" alt="Provider and model pickers under the input" width="100%" data-path="images/desktop/chat-input.png" />

| Goal             | Choose                          | Still needed                                                                  |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Fastest check    | **Claude Code**                 | An API key or CLI login                                                       |
| OpenAI ecosystem | **Codex**                       | Codex config or `~/.codex/`                                                   |
| Local CLI        | **Kimi / Grok / OpenCode / Pi** | The command on PATH, plus a local config or provider in **CLI configuration** |
| Host runtime     | **DeepSeek Harness**            | DSH running and host/port reachable                                           |

For the first try, use Claude Code. Per-engine notes: [Providers / CLI](/en/desktop/providers/overview).

## Send a short message

In the input, type:

```text theme={null}
Describe this project's stack in one sentence.
```

Press `Enter` to send. If you changed the send shortcut to `Cmd/Ctrl+Enter`, use that instead.

When it works you will see:

1. Your message in the chat
2. Status change to thinking or tool use
3. A streaming assistant reply

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/mossx-docs/kz4nt5KFSKzkAZwe/images/desktop/first-chat.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=kz4nt5KFSKzkAZwe&q=85&s=0348f25307c87019fdb90838a059bb5f" alt="First chat" width="100%" data-path="images/desktop/first-chat.png" />

## References you can try first

* Type `@` to search and attach a project file
* Drag a file from the file tree into the input
* Type `/` to try a slash command
* Type `!` to try a prompt; pick an agent from the input toolbar; type `@@` to try project memory

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/mossx-docs/kz4nt5KFSKzkAZwe/images/desktop/at-file-dropdown.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=kz4nt5KFSKzkAZwe&q=85&s=a795fed95d325074a8e6201b0699b33d" alt="Type @ to attach a project file" width="100%" data-path="images/desktop/at-file-dropdown.png" />

## If nothing comes back

| Prompt                       | Cause                                          | Next step                                                                                                  |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Provider not configured      | The current runtime has no working credentials | [Prepare your environment](/en/desktop/start/setup) or [Provider overview](/en/desktop/providers/overview) |
| CLI not installed            | The matching binary is missing                 | [Detect and install](/en/desktop/providers/cli)                                                            |
| No workspace                 | You have not added a project                   | [Prepare your environment](/en/desktop/start/setup)                                                        |
| Permission dialog stays open | Default mode is waiting for you                | [Modes and permissions](/en/desktop/chat/modes)                                                            |

More troubleshooting: [FAQ](/en/desktop/community/faq).

## Next steps

* [Learn the interface](/en/desktop/start/interface)
* [Chat area](/en/desktop/chat/overview)
* [Input](/en/desktop/chat/input)