Getting Started

What is Mando?

Mando is a macOS app for developers who use AI coding agents. It lets you check status between deep-work sessions, review what agents produced, and step in when something needs a human.

Instead of babysitting terminals, you hand off tasks and check back when they matter.

Install

Download the latest .dmg from mando.build or the GitHub releases page. Open the DMG and drag Mando to Applications.

On first launch, Mando creates its data directory at ~/.mando/ and starts the background daemon automatically.

Core concepts

Task List — your tasks. Add items via the app, Telegram, or CLI. Each item flows through a lifecycle: queued, in-progress, reviewing, done (or escalated if something needs your attention).

Captain — the orchestration engine. It picks up tasks, assigns them to AI workers, monitors progress, and reviews results. You configure how aggressive or conservative it should be.

Workers — AI coding agents (Claude Code sessions) that do the actual work. Captain spawns them, monitors their health, and intervenes when they get stuck.

Projects — git repositories Mando manages. Each project has its own worktree isolation, GitHub integration, and captain settings.

First steps

1. Add a project — Open Settings and point Mando at a git repository.
2. Configure integrations — Set up Telegram for mobile control.
3. Add your first task — Use the app UI, the CLI (mando todo add "fix the login bug"), or Telegram (/todo fix the login bug).
4. Watch it work — Mando's captain will pick up the task, spawn a worker, and notify you when it's done or needs your input.

Interfaces

Mando gives you three ways to interact:

• Electron app — the primary interface. Glanceable dashboard, task details, PR summaries, and settings.
• CLI (mando) — for terminal users. Full access to tasks, sessions, workers, and captain controls.
• Telegram bot — mobile-first control. Add tasks, review status, merge PRs, and get notified — all from your phone.