> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://alexcode.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation and Authentication

> Installation and configuration guide for Alex Sidebar

Alex Sidebar extends Xcode with powerful AI capabilities. This guide covers installation and initial setup.

## Installation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download">
    Download AlexSideBar.dmg from the [official releases page](https://github.com/DanielEdrisian/AlexSideBar-Public/releases/download/prod/AlexSideBar.dmg).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install">
    Open the downloaded DMG file and drag Alex Sidebar to your Applications folder.

    <Frame>
      <img className="dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/alex/MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm/images/drag-to-applications-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm&q=85&s=c599612c9ed1a14f43d749c7090a7603" alt="Installation: Move to Applications" width="1824" height="1024" data-path="images/drag-to-applications-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/alex/MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm/images/drag-to-applications-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm&q=85&s=eb08511e80f562e99be4dcea9f72a503" alt="Installation: Move to Applications" width="1824" height="1024" data-path="images/drag-to-applications-dark.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch">
    Open Alex Sidebar from Applications. The Xcode integration will initialize automatically.

    <Note>
      You may see a popup indicating that "AlexSideBar" is an app downloaded from the Internet. It is safe to proceed. Click "Open" to continue.
    </Note>

    <Frame>
      <img className="dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/alex/MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm/images/security-popup-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm&q=85&s=0c2184800eeba6b475cad1e354a85137" alt="Security popup: Click Open" width="744" height="752" data-path="images/security-popup-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/alex/MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm/images/security-popup-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm&q=85&s=9d4e2ad4d24d3e2672aaa790c1739bd8" alt="Security popup: Click Open" width="744" height="752" data-path="images/security-popup-dark.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant Accessibility Permissions">
    After launching, Alex Sidebar will request accessibility permissions. These permissions are required to:

    * Make changes to files
    * Handle Apple events
    * Integrate with Xcode effectively

    <Note>
      Click "Open System Settings" when prompted, then enable Alex Sidebar in the Accessibility permissions list.
    </Note>

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/alex/MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm/images/accessibility-alert.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm&q=85&s=67baef3e6d1293978ad7ed15e9881e46" alt="Accessibility permissions alert" width="1146" height="578" data-path="images/accessibility-alert.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Folder Access Permissions

When you first use Alex Sidebar, you will need to grant access to folders where your projects are stored. This permission helps to analyze your project files and provide relevant context to the AI assistant when working with code across different files and folders.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initial Permission Request">
    When opening a project, Alex Sidebar will request permission to access the folder where your Xcode project/workspace is located. This typically includes:

    * Desktop
    * Downloads
    * Documents folders

    <Note>
      Click "Allow" when the system permission dialog appears to grant access.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Manual Permission Settings">
    If you need to update permissions later:

    1. Open System Settings
    2. Navigate to Privacy & Security → Files and Folders
    3. Find "Alex Sidebar" in the list
    4. Enable access for required folders

    <Frame>
      <img className="dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/alex/MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm/images/folder-permissions-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm&q=85&s=e8411b26234e3c3b1d8dd729d5a4b022" alt="Folder permissions settings" width="988" height="478" data-path="images/folder-permissions-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/alex/MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm/images/folder-permissions-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm&q=85&s=0136e0f40291714090bb63632ba8c967" alt="Folder permissions settings" width="984" height="472" data-path="images/folder-permissions-dark.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Sign Up & Authentication

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create Account">
    After launching Alex Sidebar, you'll be presented with sign up options:

    * Enter your email and password
    * Click "Sign Up", or
    * Use "Sign up with Google" for faster authentication

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/alex/MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm/images/signup-page.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm&q=85&s=38d43c7d189d54b3a72749ba263991df" alt="Sign up page" width="1284" height="2350" data-path="images/signup-page.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Google Authentication">
    If you choose Google sign-in, you'll see a system prompt to authorize the connection:

    <Frame>
      <img className="dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/alex/MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm/images/google-auth-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm&q=85&s=fa1a863fab3f7127d038e97f71057b59" alt="Google authentication prompt" width="744" height="692" data-path="images/google-auth-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/alex/MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm/images/google-auth-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MU0ta-NVGMnBtJHm&q=85&s=ca8eedf2ca9b29be3383451f87b1dcff" alt="Google authentication prompt" width="656" height="604" data-path="images/google-auth-dark.png" />
    </Frame>

    <Note>
      Click "Continue" to allow Alex Sidebar to authenticate with your Google account.
    </Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>