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1

Install Max

Run the curl installer to install Max and launch first-time setup automatically:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/burkeholland/max/main/install.sh | bash
Or install with npm directly (then run max setup manually):
npm install -g heymax
Node.js v18 or later is required. The installer checks this for you.
2

Authenticate the Copilot CLI

Max requires an authenticated Copilot CLI session. If you haven’t done this yet:
copilot login
Follow the browser prompt to authorize. Once done, return to your terminal.
Max will fail to start if the Copilot CLI is not authenticated. Run copilot login before max start.
3

Run max setup

If you installed via npm (rather than the curl script), run setup now:
max setup
The interactive wizard will:
  • Ask if you want to configure Telegram (optional — for remote access from your phone)
  • Ask if you want to configure Google services via gogcli (optional)
  • Let you pick a default model from your Copilot subscription
  • Save your config to ~/.max/.env
Telegram is entirely optional. You can use Max with just the terminal UI (max tui).
4

Start the daemon

Start Max in your terminal:
max start
You should see output like:
[max] Starting Max daemon...
[max] Database initialized
[max] Starting Copilot SDK client...
[max] Copilot SDK client ready
[max] Creating orchestrator session...
[max] Orchestrator session ready
[max] Max is fully operational.
Leave this terminal running. The daemon runs in the foreground and logs all activity.
Use max start --self-edit to allow Max to modify its own source code. This is off by default.
5

Connect via the TUI

Open a second terminal and connect to the running daemon:
max tui
The TUI connects to the local HTTP API (port 7777) and streams responses back in real time.
6

Send your first message

You’re now talking to Max. Try some of these:
Start working on the auth bug in ~/dev/myapp

What sessions are running?

What's the capital of France?
Max decides whether to answer directly, spawn a worker session in the right directory, or use an installed skill — no commands to memorize.

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TUI slash commands

Once you’re in the TUI, you can use slash commands for quick actions:
CommandDescription
/model [name]Show or switch the current model
/memoryShow stored memories
/skillsList installed skills
/workersList active worker sessions
/copyCopy last response to clipboard
/statusDaemon health check
/restartRestart the daemon
/cancelCancel the current in-flight message
/clearClear the screen
/helpShow help
/quitExit the TUI
EscapeCancel a running response

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Example natural language interactions

Max understands plain English. Here are some things you can say: 
Start working on the auth bug in ~/dev/myapp
Check on the api-tests session
Kill the auth-fix session

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Next steps

Commands reference

Full reference for all Max CLI commands and flags.

Configuration

Customize your model, API port, and environment settings.

Telegram setup

Set up remote access from your phone via Telegram.

Core concepts

Understand how Max orchestrates Copilot sessions.

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