How do you start with the open-source goose agent?
The goose agent covered here is the open-source coding project maintained under AAIF. Choose Desktop for a graphical session or start the CLI inside a disposable project. Then configure a model provider you can already access.
- Check your provider’s usage allowance or billing before asking goose to run a long coding task.
- Give it one bounded edit and review the resulting file changes before adding an MCP extension or opening a working repository.
What can goose do in a project?
The project offers desktop and terminal interfaces. Configure a model provider, open a project you can modify, and ask for a plan for one small task before letting it edit files or run commands.
Who should start here?
Consider goose when you want to choose between a desktop interface and a terminal, or need to evaluate an extension. If your test only needs a terminal and a Git diff, try the same edit in Aider.
Check the model and extensions
Inspect which extensions are enabled and what they can access. Check the chosen model provider for authentication and cost, especially when a task sends project context to a hosted service.
A few more details
Where can I configure the model?
Follow the official quickstart for the desktop or CLI setup, then choose and authenticate the provider you intend to use.