Getting Started

Build your first AI workflow in 10 minutes.

Run your first NodeTool workflow. No AI experience or coding needed.

You’ll:

  • Run a complete workflow
  • See results generate live
  • Try different ways to work
  • Understand the visual builder

For a visual overview first, see Start Here.

Two Quick Definitions

Workflow - Connected steps (nodes) that do something useful. Each node does one thing and passes results forward.

AI Model - Pre-trained program for a specific task (image generation, text analysis, etc.). You pick the right one for your task.

Step 1 — Install NodeTool

  1. Download from nodetool.ai for macOS, Windows, or Linux

  2. Run the installer - Sets up Python and AI engines automatically

  3. Launch NodeTool - Default install location works for most people

Need help? See Installation Guide for GPU requirements and troubleshooting.

Dashboard Overview

First Launch

The Getting Started Panel walks you through:

  1. Overview - What NodeTool can do
  2. First Workflow - Run your first template
  3. AI Models - Install what you need
  4. Tips - Helpful shortcuts

Install AI Models

For local workflows, install models:

  1. Open Models
  2. Install starter models:
    • Flux or SDXL - Image generation (needs 8-12 GB VRAM)
    • GPT-OSS - Text generation (optional)
  3. Wait for downloads (~20 GB)

No GPU? Skip local models. Use cloud services (OpenAI, Replicate) by adding API keys in Settings → Providers. See Hardware Requirements.

✅ You’re ready - Dashboard loaded with templates.

Step 2 — Run Your First Workflow

Pick one template to try:

Option A: Generate Movie Posters

  1. Find it: Dashboard → Templates → “Movie Posters”
  2. Open in Editor: See the workflow canvas
  3. How it works:
    • Input nodes (left) - Describe your movie
    • AI Strategy node (middle) - Plans the visual
    • Image Generator (right) - Creates the poster
    • Preview - Shows your result
  4. Try it: Click the input nodes and type:
    • Title: “Ocean Depths”
    • Genre: “Sci-Fi Thriller”
    • Audience: “Adults who love mystery”
  5. Run: Click Run (bottom-right) or press Ctrl/⌘ + Enter
  6. Watch: Poster generates step by step

Option B: Creative Story Ideas

Creative Story Ideas Workflow

  1. Find it: Dashboard → Templates → “Creative Story Ideas”
  2. How it works:
    • Input nodes - Your parameters
    • AI Agent - Generates ideas
    • Preview - Shows results
  3. Try it: Click the input nodes and type:
    • Genre: “Cyberpunk”
    • Character: “Rogue AI detective”
    • Setting: “Neon-lit underwater city”
  4. Run: Click Run or Ctrl/⌘ + Enter
  5. Watch: Ideas appear one at a time

✅ Done - You ran your first workflow.

Step 3 — Customize and Iterate

  1. Save: Press Ctrl/⌘ + S and name it

  2. Change things: Edit inputs and run again

  3. Explore:

    • Click nodes to see settings
    • Hover connections to see data flow
    • Click Preview nodes for intermediate results

Workflows are reusable. Try variations. Refine. Save.

✅ Done - You can customize workflows.

Step 4 — Share as a Mini-App

Convert a workflow into a simplified interface:

  1. Open your workflow in the editor
  2. Open your workflow in the editor
  3. Click Mini-App (top-right)
  4. See simplified view: Only inputs and outputs, no graph

Mini-Apps hide complexity. Others can use your workflow without seeing how it works.

✅ Done - You know three ways to work: Visual Editor (full control), Mini-App (simple interface).

What You Learned

  • Installed NodeTool and models
  • Ran a workflow
  • Understood nodes and connections
  • Customized inputs
  • Shared as a Mini-App

Next Steps

Learn more:

Try examples:

Go deeper:

Get help: