In Plain English

Imagine you have a super-smart friend who can look at any folder on your computer and work with its files. That's Aura. You type what you want in plain English, and Aura does it.

One Architect, Sharp Tools

Aura was designed by Dušan Milosavljević — the architecture, the principles, and every decision behind how she works. The code was written with modern coding tools, Claude Code among them.

She works with all major AI models: Claude, GPT, Gemini, MiMo, DeepSeek — and even free local models through Ollama. You pick which brain Aura uses.

Her framework is called Praktess — from Ancient Greek: "she who acts and executes." Her motto: "I don't try. I verify."

Step 1: Download & Install Node.js

Step 2: Open Windows Terminal

Press the Windows key on your keyboard. Type cmd or Terminal. Press Enter.

You'll see a command prompt windows. Do not panic! You only need to copy and paste a couple of commands.

Step 3: Verify Installation

Type these commands into the shell and run them:

C:\Users\You> node --version
v20.11.0  <-- Node.js is installed successfully

C:\Users\You> npm --version
10.2.4    <-- npm package manager is online

Step 4: Install Aura Code Wrapper

In the terminal, run the following global install package instruction:

C:\Users\You> npm install -g aura-code

Wait 1-2 minutes for the compiler download. When completed, verify the aura command is active:

C:\Users\You> aura --version
v0.10.5

What Is an API Key?

Think of an API key as a secure token that lets Aura chat with an LLM backend (like Claude or GPT-4). It is a long string of characters typically starting with sk-. Get one from your preferred AI console.

Where to Obtain Keys

How to Configure Environment Keys

Option A: Shell Session Key (active only until you close terminal window):

C:\Users\You> set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-api03-your-key-here
C:\Users\You> set OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-proj-your-key-here

Option B: Permanent Environment Variables (retains after computer reboot):

1. Open the Start menu, type environment.
2. Click "Edit the system environment variables".
3. In System Properties, click "Environment Variables...".
4. Under user variables, click "New...".
5. Enter Variable Name: ANTHROPIC_API_KEY (or OPENAI_API_KEY).
6. Paste your API key value into Variable Value.
7. Click OK, apply, and restart Windows Terminal.

Everyday Reference Table

Beginner Prompt Examples

Type these in Windows terminal to test functionality:

$ aura "list all code files in this folder"
$ aura "find all TODO tags in the codebase"
$ aura "explain the file package.json in simple terms"
$ aura "create hello.txt writing 'Verifying agent output' inside"

Normal Mode (Default)

Ideal for general coding operations: writing features, debugging single files, answering questions.

$ aura "fix class selectors in stylesheet"

Standard loop: Read ➔ Plan ➔ Execute ➔ Verify ➔ Report. Fast and lean.

Orchestrated Mode

Ideal for larger scope projects that require coordinate teams of expert agents.

$ aura --orchestrate "refactor our Express database routing"

Aura splits the task. Separate specialized virtual subagents (Researcher, Architect, Coder, Verifier) execute tasks concurrently.

Architect Mode

Ideal for brainstorming and blueprints. Generates specifications and charts, but does not edit any source files.

$ aura --architect "design a payment microservice"

Verify & Analyze Modes

Verify: Automatically runs test suites and debugs errors until checks pass.

Analyze: Scans system execution history log files to report common failure patterns and optimize token costs.

autonomy levels config