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

# Quickstart

[TypingMind](https://typingmind.com) is a unified chat interface for working with large language models — connect your own API keys and access ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more in one organized workspace.

***

## What You Can Do

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Chat & Organize" icon="folder-open">
    Folders, tags, forking, multi-tab, and full-text search across all conversations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Any AI Model" icon="microchip">
    OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Mistral, Grok, Azure, and more — all in one place.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Prompts & Agents" icon="wand-sparkles">
    Build a reusable prompt library and custom AI assistants with training data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Knowledge Base" icon="database">
    Upload files or connect Google Drive, Notion, GitHub, and more for RAG-powered answers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Plugins & MCP" icon="plug">
    Web search, image generation, deep research, custom tools, and MCP server integrations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Privacy First" icon="shield">
    All chats stored locally by default. Optional cloud sync across devices.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Setup Guide

### Step 1 — Activate your license & API keys

#### Activate your License Key

You can use TypingMind without a license key, but advanced features require one:

* Multi-model parallel chats
* Plugins (Web Search, Image Generator, etc.)
* Projects and Artifacts
* And more

<Tip>
  [Compare license plans](/quickstart/typingmind-license-plans) to find the right tier. Once purchased, your license is automatically activated on your device.
</Tip>

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%206.webp" alt="License key activation screen" />

To manage or retrieve your license key later, see [Manage License & Devices](/manage-license-and-devices).

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%207.webp" alt="License management screen" />

#### Add your API Keys

TypingMind supports models from all major providers. You'll need to obtain an API key directly from each provider you want to use:

| Provider                                                                        | Models                                       |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| [OpenAI](/manage-and-connect-ai-models/openai-\(gpt-5-gpt-4.1\))                | GPT-4o, o1, GPT-4 Mini, GPT-3.5, and more    |
| [Anthropic](/manage-and-connect-ai-models/anthropic-claude)                     | Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3 family, and more |
| [Google](manage-and-connect-ai-models/google-gemini-\(gemini-3.1-nano-banana\)) | Gemini 1.5 Flash, Gemini 1.5 Pro, and more   |
| [Others](/manage-and-connect-ai-models)                                         | Mistral, DeepSeek, Grok, and more            |

<Note>
  One API key per provider unlocks all models from that provider. You do **not** need a ChatGPT Plus or Claude AI subscription — the API is a separate product.
</Note>

To add your keys: go to **Models** in the left sidebar → click the gear icon next to a provider → enter your key → enable the models you want.

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%208.webp" alt="API key setup screen" />

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%209.webp" alt="Enabling models" />

For a detailed walkthrough, see [Manage & Connect AI Models](https://docs.typingmind.com/manage-and-connect-ai-models).

***

### Step 2 — Back up your data *(optional)*

Your chats are saved locally in your browser by default — nothing is sent to TypingMind's servers unless you opt in.

To protect against data loss and sync across devices, sign in with your email to enable **TypingMind Cloud**:

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2010.webp" alt="Cloud sync login screen" />

Cloud sync includes:

* Chats, prompts, agents, plugins, API keys, and settings
* Up to **50 MB** free storage (expandable)
* Seamless sync across all your devices

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2011.webp" alt="Cloud sync overview" />

You can disable sync at any time by logging out, or connect your own cloud storage via [TypingMind Extensions](https://docs.typingmind.com/typing-mind-extensions). Learn more in [Cloud Sync & Backup](/cloud-sync-and-backup/cloud-sync-and-backup-overview).

***

### Step 3 — Start your first conversation

Once your API keys are set up, select a model and start chatting. You can only use models for which you've added an API key.

<Tip>
  Start with clear, specific instructions. If a response misses the mark, refine your prompt — more detail almost always yields better results.
</Tip>

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2012.webp" alt="First conversation screen" />

***

### Step 4 — Set global AI behavior with System Instructions

**System Instructions** define how the AI behaves across your entire session — its tone, personality, and scope. Set them in **Models → Global Settings**.

<Accordion title="What is context length?">
  Context length is the maximum number of tokens (words/characters) an AI model can hold in memory during a conversation. Once the limit is reached, older messages are dropped.

  System Instructions are **persistent** — the model always follows them, even after earlier messages fall out of context. For reference, GPT-4o supports up to 128,000 tokens.
</Accordion>

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2013.webp" alt="System instructions screen" />

Learn more: [System Instruction](/system-prompt/system-instruction)

***

### Step 5 — Get higher-quality responses

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Build a Prompt Library">
    Save and reuse prompts for recurring workflows. Access your library from the **Prompts** menu in the left sidebar — use prebuilt prompts or create your own.

    <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2014.webp" alt="Prompt library" />

    **Tip:** Be specific. *"Explain machine learning basics with examples of supervised and unsupervised learning"* will outperform *"Explain machine learning"* every time.

    Learn more: [Use Prompt Library](/prompts/use-prompt-library)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Upload documents & videos">
    Attach files directly to a conversation using the **attach icon** or drag-and-drop. The AI reads the content and can summarize, explain, or answer questions based on it.

    <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2015.webp" alt="File upload in chat" />

    **Tip:** Well-structured, relevant documents yield the most accurate results — ideal for analyzing reports or summarizing long texts.

    Learn more: [Chat with Files or Videos](/upload-and-chat-with-files)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Extend with Plugins">
    Plugins give the AI access to the internet, image generation, code rendering, and more. Find them in the **Plugins** section of the left panel.

    Popular plugins include:

    * **Web Search** (Model Tool) — real-time internet access
    * [**GPT Image Editor**](https://docs.typingmind.com/plugins/gpt-image-editor) — generate and edit images
    * [**Deep Research**](https://docs.typingmind.com/plugins/deep-research) — multi-step research on complex topics
    * [**Interactive Canvas**](https://docs.typingmind.com/plugins/interactive-canvas-\(artifacts\)) — render charts and code

    You can also build [Custom Plugins](https://docs.typingmind.com/plugins/build-a-typingmind-plugin) to connect your own APIs or MCP servers.

    <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2016.webp" alt="Plugins panel" />

    <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2017.webp" alt="Custom plugins" />
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Connect a Knowledge Base (RAG)">
    The **Knowledge Base** feature lets you upload files or connect external sources (Google Drive, GitHub, Notion, websites) so the AI can retrieve relevant context when answering your questions.

    <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2018.webp" alt="Knowledge base screen" />

    To get started: click the **KB** tab → **Add Data Source** → upload files or connect a source.

    Learn more at [RAG Knowledge Base](/rag-knowledge-base)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Build Custom AI Agents">
    AI Agents are purpose-built assistants with their own model, instructions, plugins, and training data. Create them from the **Agents** section in the left panel.

    Each agent can have:

    * A dedicated base model (e.g. GPT-4o)
    * Plugins for web search, image generation, or custom tools
    * A connected knowledge base or uploaded training files
    * Few-shot examples to guide behavior

          <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2019.webp" alt="AI agents overview" />

    Great for recurring, specialized tasks — like a customer support agent trained on your company FAQs.

    <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2020.webp" alt="AI agent example" />

    Learn more: [AI Agents Overview](/ai-agents/ai-agents-overview)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

### Step 6 — Organize your workspace

Your full chat history lives in the left panel. Keep it tidy by:

* **Dragging chats into folders**
* **Pinning** important conversations to the top
* **Deleting** stale chats

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2021.webp" alt="Chat organization" />

For longer-term work, use **Projects** — containers that group related chats with shared model settings, instructions, and agents.

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2022.webp" alt="Projects view" />

Learn more: [Organize Chats](/chat-management/organize-chats)

***

### Step 7 — Share your conversations

Click the **Share** button above the message area to export or share any chat in your preferred format:

* 🔗 Secret link
* 📝 Markdown
* 📦 JSON
* 🌐 HTML Webpage
* 📄 PDF

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2023.webp" alt="Share chat options" />