> ## 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

> Pick a provider, add credentials, and complete your first CC GUI chat in a JetBrains IDE.

After the environment is ready, use the shortest path to verify the plugin: open the tool window → pick a provider → add credentials → send a message.

## Open the tool window

Use any of these:

* Click **CCG** on the right tool-window strip
* Search in **Find Action** and run an open / focus CC GUI action
* Select code in the editor and press `Cmd+Alt+K` (Windows / Linux: `Ctrl+Alt+K`)

Open a real project first. Without a project, file references and the working directory have no context.

## Choose a provider

Open the provider picker at the bottom of the input box and start with one:

| Goal             | Choose                          | What you still need                        |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Fastest check    | **Claude Code**                 | An API key, or authorize local / CLI login |
| OpenAI ecosystem | **Codex**                       | A Codex provider, or authorize `~/.codex/` |
| Local CLI        | **Kimi / Grok / OpenCode / Pi** | The matching command already on PATH       |

Use Claude Code for the first try. Per-engine details are in [Providers / CLI](/en/jetbrains/providers/overview).

## Add credentials

Open **Settings** → **Provider management**.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Claude Code">
    Three common setups:

    1. **Add provider**: enter a name, API key, and base URL. Official direct access uses `https://api.anthropic.com`.
    2. **Use local settings.json**: authorize reading `~/.claude/settings.json`. The plugin does not edit this file.
    3. **Use CLI login**: use this if you already signed in with the Claude CLI in a terminal.

    Third parties such as Zhipu, Kimi, DeepSeek, MiniMax, and OpenRouter use **Third-party / proxy presets**.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Codex">
    Open the **Codex** subpage:

    1. Add a provider. The config is written to `~/.codex/`.
    2. Or authorize reading the local `config.toml` and `auth.json`.
    3. For a subscription account, run `codex login` in a terminal first, then restart the IDE.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Local CLI">
    Open the **CLI** subpage and confirm the target tool shows **Installed**. If it is not installed, follow that engine’s page, then click **Detect again**. See [Detect and install](/en/jetbrains/providers/cli).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  API keys stay on this computer. Mask them before you take a screenshot or recording.
</Warning>

## Send the shortest message

Go back to the chat view and type:

```text theme={null}
In one sentence, describe this project's tech stack.
```

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

When it works, you should see:

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

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/mossx-docs/kz4nt5KFSKzkAZwe/images/jetbrains/first-chat.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=kz4nt5KFSKzkAZwe&q=85&s=fe99061057e42257dfa48a9da1e81c8e" alt="First chat" width="100%" data-path="images/jetbrains/first-chat.png" />

## Try a reference on the first run

Send a code selection from the editor to CC GUI:

1. Select a few lines
2. Right-click and send the selection to CC GUI, or press `Cmd+Alt+K` (Windows / Linux: `Ctrl+Alt+K`)
3. The input box inserts `@file-path#Lstart-end`
4. Add “Explain this code” and send

You can also right-click a file in the project tree and send the file path to the input box.

## If you get no reply

| Message                       | Cause                                     | Next step                                                                                                                                       |
| ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| SDK not installed             | Claude / Codex SDK is missing             | [Prepare your environment](/en/jetbrains/start/setup)                                                                                           |
| Node.js version not supported | The plugin Node is below 18               | Settings → General → Environment                                                                                                                |
| Provider not configured       | The current runtime has no credentials    | [Claude Code](/en/jetbrains/providers/claude), [Codex](/en/jetbrains/providers/codex), or [Provider overview](/en/jetbrains/providers/overview) |
| CLI not installed             | The matching binary is missing            | [Detect and install](/en/jetbrains/providers/cli)                                                                                               |
| Permission dialog stays open  | You are in default mode and it is waiting | [Run modes and permissions](/en/jetbrains/chat/modes)                                                                                           |

For more troubleshooting, see [FAQ](/en/jetbrains/community/faq).

## Next steps

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