How to Use Tabby

Getting started with Tabby

In this guide, you will learn how to set up Tabby, your self-hosted AI coding assistant, and start using it to assist with your coding tasks. By the end, you'll have a local deployment ready for secure coding support.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to the Tabby website.
2. Click on the "Get Started" button.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to download the Tabby repository from GitHub.
4. Set up your local environment by following the installation instructions in the README file provided in the repository. This typically involves running commands in your terminal to install dependencies and start the server.

Step 2: Your first coding task

1. Once Tabby is running on your local server, open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:3000 (or the port specified in your setup).
2. In the main interface, you will see a text input box. Type your coding question or command, such as "Create a function to sort an array in Python."
3. Press the "Submit" button or hit Enter.
4. Review the generated code snippet provided by Tabby and copy it to your code editor.

Step 3: Get better results

1. To improve the quality of the responses, be specific in your prompts. Instead of asking "How do I write a loop?", try "Write a for loop in JavaScript that iterates through an array and logs each element."
2. Use code comments in your prompts to clarify your intentions. For example, "/ Create a function that calculates the factorial of a number /".
3. Experiment with different programming languages by specifying the language in your prompt, e.g., "In Ruby, create a method that reverses a string."

Pro tip

When you're running Tabby, keep an eye on the logs in your terminal. They can provide helpful information about any issues that arise, allowing you to troubleshoot quickly.

Common mistake to avoid

A common mistake is not ensuring that your local environment is properly configured with all necessary dependencies. Make sure to read the README file thoroughly and install everything as instructed to avoid runtime errors.