Getting started

Connect a model engine and send your first message. You can add project tools and memory once that basic connection works.

Requirements

• An Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 26 or later.
• A compatible model engine, with a model that fits the memory available to it.
• An engine endpoint and any credentials it requires.

GOAT does not include model weights. Start with models and engines if these concepts are new to you.

Install GOAT

0.1 (Kid) is a public source preview. There is no packaged Mac download yet. Build from source using Contributing. The preview guide explains what to try, current limitations and how to give useful feedback.

Source builds require Xcode with the macOS 26 SDK and XcodeGen. From the repository root, make gen generates the Xcode project and make build builds the app. Launch instructions are in the contributor guide. Do not restart a running GOAT instance while a chat or command is active.

Source builds use ad-hoc signing by default and do not require Apple Developer membership. macOS may ask for local-network access when connecting to an engine on your network. Certificate-signed local builds are optional; see Releasing. Official downloads will have separate installation instructions after signing, notarization and clean-Mac testing are complete.

Connect your engine

1. Start your engine and make a model available using that engine’s controls.
2. Open Settings → Engine in GOAT. Add or edit the engine, select its preset and enter its actual root URL. Conventional ports are defaults, not a requirement.
3. Enter the API key if the engine requires one. Use Test to check the connection, then save and select the engine.
4. Choose a model from the composer. Begin with a short text request such as “Explain what a project brief should contain.”
5. Send the message. A successful connection shows a response in the transcript; tool setup is not required for this first conversation.

If the model list is empty or the request fails, use Connect an engine and Troubleshooting. Check the endpoint, authentication and JUDAS policy before changing unrelated settings.

Start project work

Create a Pen to group related chats and add project instructions. Bind a folder when you want to work with files. Linking a folder does not grant write or command permissions, and does not automatically add every file to a model request.

Next, work on code, use memory or inspect previews. Read Privacy to understand local storage and the services you configure.

Attach files and images

Paste copied files or an image into the composer, drop files onto it, or choose Add files or photos. Images show thumbnails; supported text/code files show a file icon and extension. Use the X to remove an attachment before sending. UTF-8 text/code files are limited to 512 KB each; image input is limited to 25 MB and resized for the engine. PDF, Office documents and archives are not supported. Attachments are copied into local chat storage; text files enter model context as labelled file content, subject to context budgeting. Image understanding depends on the selected model.