---
url: 'https://vixl.app/getting-started/index.md'
description: >-
  Install Vixl, add a BYOK provider, optionally open a project, then send your
  first chat from the desktop app.
---
# A note from a human

I originally wrote Vixl (originally named Pyrola) to create a nice-feeling agent harness UI to use Qwen on my Strix Halo.

Local LLMs helped me manage media on my local Jellyfin server, and test harnesses or projects.

At work I had used the Vercel AI SDK countless times to build features, so this project felt like a fun side project to see what it would take to give myself a "cloud feeling local LLM ux."

The resulting project is now my daily driver at work.

Like all personal projects, Vixl does have opinions. You can read them in [Philosophy](/getting-started/philosophy). I try to strictly limit them.

## Start here

1. [Install Vixl](/getting-started/installation).
2. [Set up a provider and a default model](/getting-started/set-up-providers-and-models).
3. [Add a project](/getting-started/add-a-project) if you want the chat rooted in a folder. Pick two or more projects to [create a project group](/getting-started/create-a-project-group). **Home** starts a [home chat](/concepts/projects-and-home-chats).
4. [Send a first chat](/getting-started/your-first-chat).