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Quick Start Guide

This guide will get you coding in Glass in just a few minutes. You’ll learn how to open a project, use essential commands, and configure the editor to match your preferences.
Make sure you’ve installed Glass before starting this guide.

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Open Your First Project

Glass works best when you open a project folder rather than individual files.

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From the Command Line

The fastest way to open a project: 
cd ~/projects/my-app
glass .
Or open a specific folder: 
glass ~/projects/my-app

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From the UI

1

Launch Glass

Open Glass from your Applications folder, Start menu, or terminal.
2

Open a Folder

Press Cmd+O (macOS) or Ctrl+O (Linux/Windows) and select your project folder.
3

Browse Files

Your project appears in the Project Panel on the left. Click files to open them.
Glass automatically detects your project’s language and activates relevant extensions.

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Essential Commands

Learn these commands first - they’re the foundation of working efficiently in Glass.

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Command Palette

The command palette gives you access to every action in Glass: 
Cmd+Shift+P
Type any command name to find and run it. Examples:
  • theme selector - Change your theme
  • install extensions - Add language support
  • open settings - Configure Glass
Move around your codebase quickly:
ActionmacOSLinux/Windows
Go to FileCmd+PCtrl+P
Go to SymbolCmd+Shift+OCtrl+Shift+O
Find in ProjectCmd+Shift+FCtrl+Shift+F
Toggle Project PanelCmd+BCtrl+B
Toggle TerminalCtrl+ `Ctrl+ `

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Editing

Core editing commands:
ActionmacOSLinux/Windows
Multiple CursorsCmd+ClickAlt+Click
Select Next MatchCmd+DCtrl+D
Find/ReplaceCmd+FCtrl+F
Comment LineCmd+/Ctrl+/
Save FileCmd+SCtrl+S
Save AllCmd+Alt+SCtrl+Alt+S

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AI Features

ActionmacOSLinux/Windows
Open Agent PanelCmd+Shift+ACtrl+Shift+A
Inline AssistantCmd+EnterCtrl+Enter
Toggle CompletionsCtrl+SpaceCtrl+Space

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Configure Your Editor

Make Glass feel like home with these common customizations.

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Open Settings

Access the Settings Editor: 
Cmd+,
The Settings Editor provides a searchable interface for all options. Changes save automatically.

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Choose a Theme

Change your color scheme:
1

Open Theme Selector

Press Cmd+K Cmd+T (macOS) or Ctrl+K Ctrl+T (Linux/Windows)
2

Browse Themes

Use arrow keys or type to filter. Press Enter to apply.
Popular themes included:
  • One Dark / One Light - VS Code inspired
  • Ayu - Minimal and modern
  • Gruvbox - Retro groove
  • Rosé Pine - Warm and elegant

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Configure Font

Customize your editor font in Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,):
  1. Search for buffer_font_family
  2. Enter your preferred font name: "JetBrains Mono", "Fira Code", "SF Mono", etc.
  3. Adjust buffer_font_size (default: 15)
settings.json
{
  "buffer_font_family": "JetBrains Mono",
  "buffer_font_size": 14,
  "buffer_font_features": {
    "calt": true  // Enable ligatures
  }
}

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Enable Format on Save

Automatically format code when saving:
  1. Open Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,)
  2. Search for format_on_save
  3. Set to "on"
Or add to your settings file:
settings.json
{
  "format_on_save": "on"
}

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Set Up Auto-Save

Save files automatically:
settings.json
{
  "autosave": "on_focus_change"  // or "on_window_change", "after_delay"
}

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Install Language Support

Glass includes many languages by default. For others, install extensions:
1

Open Extensions

Press Cmd+Shift+X (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+X (Linux/Windows)
2

Search and Install

Find your language and click Install. Extensions activate immediately.
Built-in language support includes:
  • JavaScript, TypeScript, JSX, TSX
  • Python, Rust, Go, C, C++
  • HTML, CSS, JSON, YAML, Markdown
  • Bash, Dockerfile, SQL
See the Languages section for setup guides.

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Try AI Features

Glass includes powerful AI capabilities. Get started:

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Agent Panel

Open an AI conversation:
  1. Press Cmd+Shift+A (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+A (Linux/Windows)
  2. Type your question or request
  3. The AI can read files, search code, and make edits

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Inline Assistant

Generate or edit code in place:
  1. Select code or place cursor
  2. Press Cmd+Enter (macOS) or Ctrl+Enter (Linux/Windows)
  3. Describe what you want
  4. Review and accept changes
AI features require configuring a provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, Ollama). See the AI Configuration guide.

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Set Up Terminal

Glass includes an integrated terminal:

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Open Terminal

Press Ctrl+ ` (backtick) to toggle the terminal panel.

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Configure Shell

Choose your preferred shell:
settings.json
{
  "terminal": {
    "shell": {
      "program": "/bin/zsh"  // or "bash", "fish", etc.
    },
    "font_family": "JetBrains Mono",
    "font_size": 14
  }
}

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Multiple Terminals

Create additional terminals:
  • Cmd+T (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+T (Linux/Windows) in terminal panel
  • Or right-click terminal tab bar

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Configure Keybindings

Glass supports multiple keymap presets and custom keybindings.

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Choose a Base Keymap

Switch to familiar keybindings:
  1. Open Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,)
  2. Search for base_keymap
  3. Choose from:
    • VSCode (default)
    • JetBrains
    • Sublime Text
    • Atom
    • Emacs

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Custom Keybindings

Create your own shortcuts:
  1. Press Cmd+K Cmd+S (macOS) or Ctrl+K Ctrl+S (Linux/Windows)
  2. Find an action and click to rebind
  3. Or edit keymap.json directly
Example custom binding:
keymap.json
[
  {
    "bindings": {
      "ctrl-shift-f": "workspace::NewTerminal",
      "cmd-k cmd-d": "editor::DuplicateLine"
    }
  }
]
See the Keybindings Reference for details.

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Enable Vim Mode (Optional)

For Vim users:
settings.json
{
  "vim_mode": true
}
Restart Glass to activate Vim keybindings. See the Keybindings guide for more configuration options.

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Next Steps

You’re ready to be productive in Glass! Explore these topics next:

Configuration Guide

Deep dive into settings, project config, and advanced options

AI Features

Learn about the Agent Panel, inline assistant, and AI configuration

Development Tools

Master editing, navigation, debugging, and Git integration

Extensions

Discover extensions for languages, themes, and tools

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Keyboard Shortcut Reference

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General

  • Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+P - Command palette
  • Cmd/Ctrl+, - Settings
  • Cmd/Ctrl+K Cmd/Ctrl+S - Keybindings editor
  • Cmd/Ctrl+K Cmd/Ctrl+T - Theme selector
  • Cmd/Ctrl+P - Go to file
  • Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+O - Go to symbol
  • Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+F - Find in project
  • Cmd/Ctrl+G - Go to line
  • Cmd/Ctrl+B - Toggle sidebar

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Editing

  • Cmd/Ctrl+D - Select next match
  • Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+L - Select all matches
  • Alt+Click - Add cursor
  • Cmd/Ctrl+/ - Comment line
  • Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+K - Delete line

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Terminal

  • Ctrl+ ` - Toggle terminal
  • Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+T - New terminal (in terminal)

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AI

  • Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+A - Agent panel
  • Cmd/Ctrl+Enter - Inline assistant
Press Cmd+Shift+P (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Linux/Windows) and type “keyboard shortcuts” to see all available shortcuts.

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