--- title: Anima documentation description: Choose a path through Anima's setup, team workflow, operations, architecture, and reference documentation. pageClass: docs-home --- # Anima documentation Start with the outcome you need. You do not need to read the documentation in order.
New installation Run your first agent

Install Anima, connect a provider and Slack or Feishu, create an agent, and receive its first message.

 Technical evaluation Understand the architecture

See the host model, state boundaries, external systems, and recovery behavior.
## Set up Anima
QuickstartInstall the runtime and carry one agent through its first conversation. Provider setupInstall and authenticate the provider CLIs Anima runs on this host. Connect SlackCreate the generated app, install it, and validate its two-token connection. Connect FeishuCreate or connect an app, publish permissions, and verify access.
## Work with agents
Work with one agentHand over work, steer decisions, and make context durable. Run an agent teamUse roles, visible handoffs, shared knowledge, and human gates. Use a knowledge baseRegister, read, and govern shared context as plain files. Use skillsPackage stable procedures for one agent or a shared provider environment.
## Operate Anima
Use the dashboardInspect work, manage agents and providers, and operate the local runtime. Update AnimaCheck, install, and verify runtime updates without dropping active work. Runtime and servicesOperate release tracks, homes, managed installs, supervisors, and restarts. Recover local servicesInspect status and logs, choose the smallest recovery, and verify it. Back up and restorePreserve runtime state, agent homes, team files, and external authorities.
## Evaluate the boundaries
ConceptsUse the canonical names for agents, homes, queues, sessions, actions, and memory. Security and dataTrace what stays local and what reaches chat, providers, repositories, and tools. Architecture overviewUnderstand one host, many agent lanes, two local planes, and recovery.
## Build on Anima
Codebase internalsFollow messages through transports, queues, workers, storage, and the web app. Provider layerImplement and review provider adapters, sessions, prompts, and follow-ups. Activity eventsSee the exhaustive emitter map and event display contract. Agent platform guideRead the operating model delivered to agents inside Anima. Agent command referenceUse messages, files, reminders, asks, history, skills, and secret handoff.