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Quickstart

Step 1: Install Dreadnode

Section titled “Step 1: Install Dreadnode”
Terminal window
curl -fsSL https://dreadnode.io/install.sh | bash

Verify the install:

Terminal window
dreadnode --help

Step 2: Launch the TUI

Section titled “Step 2: Launch the TUI”
Terminal window
cd your-project
dreadnode

If you prefer the short form, dn works as a shortcut for the same command.

On first launch, Dreadnode opens the TUI and prompts you to create an account or log in before creating your first session.

Step 3: Sign in

Section titled “Step 3: Sign in”

You will need a Dreadnode platform account to get started. New accounts receive free credits so you can try the hosted platform right away.

The first screen lets you choose between two login methods:

  • Browser login - the fastest path for most users.
  • API key - useful when you already have a Dreadnode key.

After login, you land on the welcome screen with the composer focused and your first session ready.

Dreadnode welcome screen

Step 4: Ask your first question

Section titled “Step 4: Ask your first question”

Type directly into the composer and press Enter:

what does this target do and where should I start testing?

Other good first prompts:

what attack surface do you see in this codebase?
where is the main entry point and auth flow?
explain the folder structure from an offsec perspective

Step 5: Add capabilities

Section titled “Step 5: Add capabilities”

Press Ctrl+P to browse capabilities.

Capabilities are the fastest way to make the TUI more useful because they can add:

  • specialized offensive security agents
  • bundled skills
  • tool access
  • domain-specific workflows for AI red teaming, pentesting, and security testing

Once you install a capability, use Ctrl+A or /agent <name> to start a session with one of its agents.

Step 6: Revisit sessions

Section titled “Step 6: Revisit sessions”

Press Ctrl+B any time to open the session browser.

From there you can:

  • jump back into an older conversation
  • search sessions by preview text or id
  • start a fresh session with n
  • delete a session with d

Provider keys and BYOK models

Section titled “Provider keys and BYOK models”

If you want to use provider-hosted models directly, set the provider environment variable before launching the TUI.

Terminal window
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-..."
export OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-..."

Inside the TUI, run /secrets to inspect configured secrets and provider presets.

What’s next

Section titled “What’s next”