Chapter 1 - Getting started and installation

Understand Assistia, the side menu, and the first installation window.

What is Assistia for?

Assistia lets you use artificial intelligence tools installed on your computer. You do not need to type technical commands: you click buttons, and Assistia installs, starts, and uses the required components.

ChatTalks with a local text model installed through Ollama.

Image generatorCreates an image from a written description.

Developer agentHelps modify a software project. This tab is mainly for people working with code.

SettingsInstalls components, downloads models, and adjusts options.

LogsShows what Assistia is doing: installation, startup, download, or error.

Side menu and common buttons

The menu on the left switches tabs. The button with three lines collapses or expands the menu.

Chat buttonOpens the conversation with the local AI.

Image generator buttonOpens the screen used to create an image.

Developer agent buttonOpens the assistant for code projects.

Settings buttonOpens the tab where components are installed and configured.

Documentation buttonOpens this guide in the browser.

License buttonShows Assistia's license, tool licenses, and responsibility information.

Logs buttonOpens the activity log.

Patreon buttonOpens the project support page.

Language selectorSwitches the interface between French and English.

First launch and installation

On first launch, Assistia may show a window suggesting that you install the required components. Everything is checked by default.

Component checkboxesChoose what you want to install. If you are unsure, leave everything checked.

OllamaRequired engine for the chat and developer agent.

Image generatorInstalls ComfyUI, the tool used to create images.

Developer agentInstalls Aider, the tool used to help modify project files.

SearXNG web searchInstalls a local search tool for recent web information.

Do not show this window automaticallyCheck this option if you no longer want to see this window at startup.

Install componentsStarts installing the checked items.

LaterCloses the window without installing. You can install later from Settings.

An internet connection is required to install tools and models. On macOS and Linux, if curl is missing, Assistia tries to install it automatically.