ChengYoung

Quick Start

From download to your first conversation — up and running in five minutes.

1. Download and install

  • Open chengyoung.com and click Download for free to get ChengYoung_<version>_x64-setup.exe.
  • Verify integrity (recommended): download SHA256SUMS.txt from the same release page and run in PowerShell:

Get-FileHash .\ChengYoung_1.13.0_x64-setup.exe -Algorithm SHA256

Compare the output with the matching line in SHA256SUMS.txt, then run the installer.

  • Double-click the installer (per-user install, no administrator rights required); the app starts automatically.
  • Updates: check and install from Settings → Updates in one click. If you run a newly downloaded installer manually, quit the app completely first (including the tray icon).

2. First launch: pick a model

ChengYoung supports two kinds of models — switch anytime:

  • Local models (recommended starting point, fully offline): a built-in llama.cpp engine with Vulkan GPU acceleration. The first time you pick a model it is fetched on demand from Hugging Face or ModelScope — pick whichever downloads faster in your region. Models are stored on your computer; using them requires no internet connection.
  • Your own cloud providers: paste an API key in Settings to use cloud models. Keys are stored only in the OS keychain — never uploaded, never written in plaintext config files.

3. Your first conversation

  1. Pick a working directory under the input box — the agent reads and writes files and runs commands inside it. You can also drag files straight into the input.
  1. Type a task, for example "Look at this project and summarize what each module does". The agent calls tools (read files, search, run commands) on its own to get it done.
  1. Every tool call asks for your approval: allow / ask / deny — you stay in control (ask is the default), and each tool can be tuned in Settings.
  1. The starter cards above the input (explore / summarize / review / README) only fill the input box — edit before sending.

4. Where to go next

  • Hint file: create .cyhints in your project root (legacy .goosehints and AGENTS.md also work) to record project conventions — picked up automatically in every session.
  • Workflows save repeatable multi-step tasks for one-click runs; skills make the agent follow domain know-how; schedules run tasks automatically.
  • Extensions (MCP) add tools for files, browsers, databases and more; installing one always requires your explicit consent.
  • Auxiliary sidebar: the embedded browser (third-party pages run isolated, agent control off by default), extensions and session tools live there.

About privacy

ChengYoung collects nothing: the build contains no telemetry code; conversations, files and models stay on your machine. Data is only sent where you explicitly configured a model provider (see the "Privacy & data" doc).

This page is adapted from upstream open-source documentation (Apache-2.0) with modifications; see /legal/provenance for sources and changes.