Quick start

Run sparse in a project folder. The first launch asks for your OpenRouter key, then opens the interactive REPL.

sparse                            # interactive REPL
sparse run "rename getCwd"        # one-shot, non-interactive
sparse route "fix typo"           # show the chosen route without running it
sparse lead astra                 # pin the Lead model (planning + hard work)
sparse workhorse glm-5.3-flash    # pin the Workhorse (mechanical work)
sparse logs                       # browse run journals and decision timelines
sparse loop "make CI green"       # generate and run a self-correcting loop

In the REPL

• Type / for commands, such as /agent, /plan, /debug, /review, /orchestrate, /lead, /workhorse, /models, /logs, /loop and /mcp.
• Type @ to reference a file.
• /effort low|medium|high|max sets how hard the agent works. /fast skips the classifier, context gathering and validators.

Let your repo’s instructions in

Sparse reads AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, .cursorrules, .cursor/rules and project .sparse rules, skills and subagents only after you trust the folder:

sparse trust

See Agent access and safety for what trust does and doesn’t protect.