> ## 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

> Get started with TypingMind in minutes: activate your license, add API keys for OpenAI, Claude and Gemini, pick a model and start chatting. No ChatGPT Plus needed.

[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

> [card] Chat & Organize
>
> Folders, tags, forking, multi-tab, and full-text search across all conversations.

> [card] Any AI Model
>
> OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Mistral, Grok, Azure, and more — all in one place.

> [card] Prompts & Agents
>
> Build a reusable prompt library and custom AI assistants with training data.

> [card] Knowledge Base
>
> Upload files or connect Google Drive, Notion, GitHub, and more for RAG-powered answers.

> [card] Plugins & MCP
>
> Web search, image generation, deep research, custom tools, and MCP server integrations.

> [card] Privacy First
>
> All chats stored locally by default. Optional cloud sync across devices.

***

## 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](https://docs.typingmind.com/quickstart/typingmind-license-plans.md) to find the right tier. Once purchased, your license is automatically activated on your device.

![License key activation screen](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%206.webp)

To manage or retrieve your license key later, see [Manage License & Devices](https://docs.typingmind.com/manage-license-and-devices.md).

![License management screen](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%207.webp)

#### 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](https://docs.typingmind.com/manage-and-connect-ai-models/openai.md) | GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6.1 Terra, GPT-6 Luna, and more |
| [Anthropic](https://docs.typingmind.com/manage-and-connect-ai-models/anthropic-claude.md) | Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Haiku 5.5, and more |
| [Google](https://docs.typingmind.com/manage-and-connect-ai-models/google-gemini.md) | Gemini 4 Argon, Gemini 3.8 Flash, and more |
| [Others](https://docs.typingmind.com/manage-and-connect-ai-models.md) | Mistral, DeepSeek, Grok, Kimi, 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.

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.

![API key setup screen](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%208.webp)

![Enabling models](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%209.webp)

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

***

### 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**:

![Cloud sync login screen](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2010.webp)

Cloud sync includes:

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

![Cloud sync overview](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2011.webp)

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

***

### 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.

![First conversation screen](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2012.webp)

***

### 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] 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. Each model has its own limit — see [Model Context Length](https://docs.typingmind.com/manage-and-connect-ai-models/model-context-length.md).

![System instructions screen](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2013.webp)

Learn more: [System Instruction](https://docs.typingmind.com/system-prompt/system-instruction.md)

***

### Step 5 — Get higher-quality responses

> [accordion] 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.
>
> ![Prompt library](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2014.webp)
>
> **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](https://docs.typingmind.com/prompts/use-prompt-library.md)

> [accordion] 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.
>
> ![File upload in chat](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2015.webp)
>
> **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](https://docs.typingmind.com/upload-and-chat-with-files)

> [accordion] 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.md) — generate and edit images
> * [**Deep Research**](https://docs.typingmind.com/plugins/deep-research.md) — 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.md) to connect your own APIs or MCP servers.
>
> ![Plugins panel](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2016.webp)
>
> ![Custom plugins](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2017.webp)

> [accordion] 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.
>
> ![Knowledge base screen](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2018.webp)
>
> To get started: click the **KB** tab → **Add Data Source** → upload files or connect a source.
>
> Learn more at [RAG Knowledge Base](https://docs.typingmind.com/rag-knowledge-base.md)

> [accordion] 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. Claude Sonnet 5.5)
> * Plugins for web search, image generation, or custom tools
> * A connected knowledge base or uploaded training files
> * Few-shot examples to guide behavior
>
>   ![AI agents overview](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2019.webp)
>
> Great for recurring, specialized tasks — like a customer support agent trained on your company FAQs.
>
> ![AI agent example](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2020.webp)
>
> Learn more: [AI Agents Overview](https://docs.typingmind.com/ai-agents/ai-agents-overview.md)

***

### 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

![Chat organization](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2021.webp)

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

![Projects view](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2022.webp)

Learn more: [Organize Chats](https://docs.typingmind.com/chat-management/organize-chats.md)

***

### 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

![Share chat options](https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/typingmind/quickstart/get-started-with-typingmind/image%2023.webp)


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