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# Getting Started

If MindRoot is already installed and running, skip to LLM Plugin Installation. If using pre-configured MindRoot hosting, skip to LLM API Key.

## Installation

Usually you need to create a python virtual environment:

`python -m venv .venv`

And activate:

`source .venv/bin/activate`

Then just install with pip:

`pip install mindroot`

## Starting MindRoot

The first time you can specify the admin user and password:

`mindroot -u admin -pw password`

The server defaults to http://0.0.0.0:8010/ . You will need to log in.

## LLM Plugin Installation

- Go to the /admin page by clicking the Admin link at the top of the home page.

- Go to the Install/Registry tab

- Search for ‘OpenRouter’ and click Install next to the result that comes up.

- A dialog will show the log of the installation.

- Restart: Server Settings | Server Control | Restart

If you want, you can make sure the OpenRouter Plugin is installed:

- Go to the /admin page (Admin link on home page)

- Expand the Advanced section and click on Plugins

- OpenRouter/ah_openrouter should show up

## LLM API Key

For this section you will need an API key from an LLM provider. We will assume OpenRouter for this example.

Now, enter your OpenRouter API key:

- Go to /admin (Admin link on home page) Advanced | Environment Variables

- Find the ah_openrouter section and the OPENROUTER_KEY field; click Edit.

- Enter your key and press Save.

Finally, restart MindRoot:

- Go to Admin | Server Settings | Server Control

- Click on Restart Server

## Chat with Assistant

- On the home page, click the Assistant button.

- A new tab will open with a chat UI.

- Try requesting something from the assistant, for example:

  “Create a mood tracker table showing daily activities with emoji ratings and star scores for each day of the work week.”

(Note: shown is typical output from DeepSeek Chat 3.1)

## Install Plugins with Tools

(Note: if you are using MindRoot hosting, these tools are already installed).

- Go to Admin | Install/Registry

- Install the runvnc/ah_shell and runvnc/ah_files plugins:

- Click on Plugins.

- Enter e.g. “Files” in the Search input

- Click Install

- Repeat for Shell (execute commands)

- Restart MindRoot:

- Go to Admin | Server Settings | Server Control

- Click on Restart Server

## Give Assistant a Programming Task

- On the home page, click the Assistant button to open a new chat.

- “Create a simple but beautiful web page about the phases of the moon. Save to ./imgs/moon.html and provide a clickable link to /imgs/moon.html”

(Note: shown is typical output from DeepSeek Chat 3.1)