Set up Koda

Open Koda for the first time

• Move Koda into your Applications folder, then open it.
• Instead of the sign-in or builder screen, you’ll see Let’s get Koda ready. This is Koda’s setup guide—six simple steps, shown one at a time.

  

• Keep Koda open while you work through setup. Installing Xcode and the iPhone simulator can take a while, depending on your internet connection.
• macOS may ask for your Mac password during setup. That is normal—read the prompt and enter your password to continue.

Follow the guided setup

Select Begin setup. Koda shows one step at a time and explains what it needs in plain language. Use the purple button on each screen to continue.

1. 1

   Select Begin setup on the welcome screen.

2. 2

   On Get Xcode, select Open App Store. Install Xcode (it is free from Apple), wait until the download finishes, then return to Koda. If Koda asks, select I’ve finished — check again.

   

3. 3

   On Connect Koda to Xcode, select Set Active Xcode. Enter your Mac password if asked so Koda can find Xcode on this Mac.

   

4. 4

   On Add Xcode’s helper tools, select Install Tools and finish any macOS installer window that appears.

   

5. 5

   On Accept Apple’s license, select Accept License so Koda can use Apple’s app-building tools.

   

6. 6

   On Prepare an iPhone simulator, select Download iOS Runtime. Leave Koda open until the download finishes—this step is often the longest.

   

7. 7

   On Install Koda’s coding engine, select Install. This adds the private on-device engine Koda uses to coordinate app-building work.

   

8. 8

   When setup finishes, Koda shows that you are ready and opens the main app automatically.

What each step does

• Get Xcode installs Apple’s free app-making toolkit so Koda can build and preview your app.
• Connect Koda to Xcode points Koda at the Xcode app in your Applications folder.
• Add Xcode’s helper tools installs a small set of Apple tools Koda uses behind the scenes.
• Accept Apple’s license accepts Apple’s terms so those tools can run.
• Prepare an iPhone simulator downloads a virtual iPhone so you can see and try your app on this Mac.
• Install Koda’s coding engine sets up Koda’s private on-device engine. It does not replace anything else on your Mac.

If a step gets stuck

1. 1

   Wait for any download or macOS installer window to finish, then try the step’s button again—or select I’ve finished — check again if that option is shown.

2. 2

   Read any red error message in the setup window. It usually comes from Xcode, macOS, or the installer.

3. 3

   For the Xcode step, open Xcode once from Applications and let it finish any first-time prompts, then return to Koda.

4. 4

   If the iPhone simulator step fails, open Xcode’s Settings, install an iOS platform under Platforms or Components, then continue in Koda.

5. 5

   If Koda says a built-in piece is missing and offers no action button, quit Koda and reinstall the latest version before contacting support.

Finish your builder setup

1. 1

   When Koda’s main interface appears, sign in.

   

2. 2

   Choose Settings in the left sidebar. Add one OpenAI or Anthropic key (you only need one provider), then select Save API Key. Make sure that account has billing set up and available usage or credits so Koda can call the API.

   

3. 3

   Choose Apps, then create a new app or open an existing .xcodeproj or .xcworkspace file.

   

4. 4

   Return Home. Choose the project and simulator you want to use, then describe what you want Koda to build.

   

Next steps

• When you are ready to build features, open Develop your app to learn the workspace, App Roadmap, and Environment controls.
• To understand who plans work versus who writes code, see Koda Agents.
• Add a provider key anytime from Add an AI provider key in Settings.