Getting started with AgentDesk
This guide gives you the shortest path to understand AgentDesk: initialize your workspace, learn the dashboard layout, talk to an agent, and review outputs safely. If you already know the basics and want to create executable work, go to Create and review your first task.What AgentDesk is
AgentDesk is a workspace for working with AI agents. It combines:- a task board,
- a persistent chat panel,
- agent management,
- workspace files and delivery outputs,
- evidence and review workflows.
First-run flow
Initialize your workspace
Create your private AgentDesk workspace so your tasks, agents, files, and outputs are isolated from other users.
Introduce yourself
Add basic profile/context so agents know who they are helping and how to communicate.
Open the dashboard
Learn the board, Chat Panel, Task Detail, Workspace Management, and Delivery Files areas.
Talk to an agent
Use the Chat Panel for questions, task shaping, review notes, and follow-up instructions.
Review work on the board
Use task status, next action, blockers, and linked evidence as source of truth.
Step 1 — Initialize your workspace
When you sign in for the first time, AgentDesk may show that your workspace is not initialized yet. Click Init Workspace. Your workspace contains your:- Dashboard tasks and subtasks.
- Agents.
- Chat history and attachments.
- Artifacts and delivery files.
- Runtime status and activity logs.
Workspace initialization is explicit. AgentDesk should not silently put a normal user into another user’s private workspace.
Step 2 — Introduce yourself
After initialization, AgentDesk may ask you to enter basic information about yourself. Keep it short at first. You can improve it later. Useful fields include:| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Name | Your name or preferred display name. |
| Role | Founder, product manager, developer, designer, operator, student, etc. |
| Goal | What you want to use AgentDesk for. |
| Context | Your project, company, product, or team context. |
| Preference | How you want agents to communicate or help you. |
Step 3 — Open the dashboard
The Dashboard is the main operating surface.| Area | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Board | Track tasks, statuses, blockers, next actions, and outcomes. |
| Chat Panel | Talk to the selected agent. |
| Task Detail | Review scope, notes, activity, outputs, and evidence. |
| Workspace Management | Manage agents, workspace settings, connections, and files. |
| Delivery Files | Access official outputs or user-facing deliverables. |
Step 4 — Understand task status
Common board statuses:| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Inbox | Request exists but needs shaping or approval. |
| Ready | Clear and allowed to start. |
| Agent working | An agent is actively executing. |
| Waiting on you | The agent needs your input or decision. |
| Blocked | Work cannot continue safely. |
| Ready to review | Output/evidence exists and needs review. |
| Done / Closed | Reviewed and accepted. |
Ready means the task can be picked up for execution. It does not mean the task is already finished.
Step 5 — Talk to an agent
Use the Chat Panel when you want to:- ask a question,
- clarify a task,
- request a task update,
- attach files or screenshots,
- ask for evidence,
- give feedback after reviewing output.
- Select the right agent before sending.
- Include the task id when discussing existing work.
- Be explicit about expected output and verification.
- Ask the agent to create a task if the conversation becomes executable work.
Step 6 — Review outputs
When work is ready to review:- Open the task from the board.
- Read the latest update and next action.
- Open linked outputs, artifacts, screenshots, traces, or delivery files.
- Compare the result with acceptance criteria.
- Approve/close if it passes, or add exact feedback if it does not.
What success looks like
You have completed the basic orientation when:- Your workspace is initialized.
- Your profile/context is entered.
- You can find the board, Chat Panel, Task Detail, Workspace Management, and Delivery Files.
- You understand the difference between chat replies and task truth.
- You understand that Ready means executable, not done.
- You know where to review outputs and evidence.
Next steps
Create and review your first task
Turn a request into clear work that an agent can execute and you can verify.
What a best-practice task looks like
See how a rough request becomes a clear executable task with help from the Agent Product Owner.
Working with agents
Learn how to choose the right agent and keep conversations clear.
Dashboard board
Learn how to track task status, blockers, next actions, and review state.