Getting started: install and first launch

Install Genie, grant the macOS permissions it needs, create your first board, and start an agent.

Written By Deva

Last updated About 5 hours ago

Get from download to your first running agent in a few minutes.

1. Install

Download Genie and drag it into your Applications folder, then open it. Genie runs on macOS 14+ on Apple Silicon.

2. Grant permissions

On first launch, Genie asks for a few macOS permissions so voice and agent control work. You can grant them when prompted, or later in System Settings β†’ Privacy & Security:

  • Microphone and Speech Recognition β€” for push-to-talk voice control.
  • Accessibility and Input Monitoring β€” so Genie can capture your push-to-talk key and let agents focus and arrange windows.

3. Create your first board

A board is your canvas. Pan with a two-finger drag, zoom with pinch or scroll, and add nodes from the command palette (⌘K).

4. Add a terminal and start an agent

Add a terminal node to the canvas and launch your agent of choice inside it β€” claude, codex, or cursor-agent. You now have a live agent on your board. Add more nodes and run several at once.