---
title: Getting started
summary: Go from zero to your first Holon agent in under 15 minutes.
order: 10
---
# Getting started
Holon ships as an installable release. This section gives you
the shortest path from install to a running agent, then shows where to branch
based on what you want to do next.
## New to Holon?
If this is your first time using Holon, follow our step-by-step tutorial:
- **[Create your first agent](first-agent.md)** - Install, start, connect with TUI, create an agent, and configure models in ~15 minutes
The tutorial covers:
- Installing Holon and starting the runtime
- Connecting with the Terminal UI
- Creating an agent and sending your first prompt
- Configuring models and providers
## Which runtime mode should I use?
Holon gives you three ways to interact with the runtime:
| **One-shot** | `holon run "..."` | Quick single-turn tasks — no daemon needed |
| **Daemon + TUI** | `holon daemon start` + `holon tui` | Interactive agent sessions with state, queues, and workspaces |
| **Daemon + HTTP** | `holon daemon start` + HTTP client | Integrations, automation, control-plane consumers |
The [first agent tutorial](first-agent.md) uses daemon + TUI because it
gives you the full interactive experience. For one-shot runs, see the
[quick examples](/guides/quick-examples/).
## Evaluate or explore?
If you're already familiar with Holon or want to jump straight into specifics:
- **[Quick examples](/guides/quick-examples/)** — one-shot and common task patterns
- **[Durable agent workflow](/guides/durable-agent-workflow/)** — the full lifecycle of durable agent work
- **[Concepts](/concepts/)** — the mental model before diving into internals
- **[CLI reference](/reference/cli.md)** — full command surface
- **[Troubleshooting](/guides/troubleshooting/)** — diagnose common setup issues
## Contribute or develop?
If you plan to modify or contribute to Holon itself:
- **[Local runtime guide](/guides/local-runtime/)** — conservative development workflow
- **[Documentation workflow](/guides/documentation-workflow/)** — how to build and preview this site
- **[Integration guide](/guides/integration/)** — wire Holon into external systems
- Repository `docs/` directory — RFCs, implementation decisions, and architecture notes
## Requirements
- Holon installed on `PATH` (Homebrew or direct binary; see [first agent](first-agent.md) for step-by-step)
- A model provider API key (Anthropic, OpenAI, or compatible)
### Build from source
If you prefer to build from source or want to contribute:
- Rust toolchain with Cargo
- Clone the repository: `git clone https://github.com/holon-run/holon.git && cd holon`
- Build: `cargo build`
- When building from source, replace `holon` commands in examples with `cargo run --`
## Repository orientation (contributors)
This is a short orientation for contributors. End users don't need to know the repository layout.
- `src/` contains the Rust runtime implementation and executable entrypoints.
- `tests/` contains Rust integration tests and shared support.
- `docs/` contains runtime contracts, design records, and current architecture
notes.
- `builtin_templates/` contains runtime-managed agent templates.
- `docs/website/` contains this mdorigin documentation site.
- [Create your first agent](./first-agent.md)
From zero to your first Holon agent: build, start, TUI basics, create an agent, and configure models.