Skip to main content
Version: 1.43

Okteto AI - Getting Started

This guide walks you through launching your first AI agent from the Okteto Dashboard.

Prerequisites​

Before you begin:

  • Your administrator has enabled Okteto AI for your organization
  • You have access to the Okteto Dashboard
  • You can see the Agents tab in your dashboard

Don't see the Agents tab? Contact your administrator to request access.

Launch your first agent​

Step 1: Open the Agents tab​

Navigate to the Agents tab in your Okteto Dashboard.

Step 2: Choose your starting point​

Work with an existing repository — paste your repository URL (e.g., https://github.com/yourorg/yourrepo). The agent will clone and analyze your codebase. Use this for adding features, fixing bugs, or refactoring.

Start fresh — select "New Project" and describe what you want to build. The agent will create everything from scratch.

Step 3: Describe your task​

Write a clear, specific prompt. For example:

Create a Python FastAPI application with:
- User registration endpoint with email validation
- Login endpoint returning JWT tokens
- PostgreSQL database with SQLAlchemy
- Automated tests for all endpoints

Step 4: Launch and monitor​

  1. Press Enter or click Launch Agent
  2. Watch the real-time logs as your agent sets up the environment, installs dependencies, writes code, and runs tests
  3. Click Open Editor to view an embedded Visual Studio Code where you can monitor and audit all code changes

Step 5: Review and deploy​

Once the agent completes its work:

  • Preview: Click any generated endpoints to see your application live
  • Review: Check the code changes and test results
  • Accept: Ask the agent to create a pull request

Writing effective prompts​

Good prompts are specific about what you want, where it should go, and what constraints apply.

Specific prompt:

Add a REST endpoint at /api/users/:id/avatar that accepts
image uploads (JPEG/PNG only, max 5MB), resizes to 200x200,
stores in S3, and returns the CDN URL

Vague prompt:

Add image upload

Include these details when relevant:

  • What: The specific feature or fix needed
  • Where: Relevant files, endpoints, or services
  • How: Technical requirements or constraints
  • Why: Business logic or user needs

Common first tasks​

  1. Add an API endpoint

    Add a health check endpoint at /health that returns
    server status, database connectivity, and uptime

  2. Create a new service

    Create a Node.js microservice for sending emails with
    SendGrid, including templates and retry logic

  3. Fix a bug

    Debug why the user authentication is failing with
    401 errors after 15 minutes and implement a fix

  4. Add tests

    Write comprehensive unit tests for the OrderService
    class with at least 80% coverage

Best practices​

Start small. Begin with well-defined tasks and build confidence before tackling complex features.

Run agents in parallel. Multiple agents can work simultaneously on different tasks — one adding a feature, another writing tests, a third optimizing queries.

Review before merging. Always check the preview environment, test results, and code changes before accepting a PR.

Iterate. If the first result isn't right, provide specific feedback and let the agent adjust.

Good use cases​

  • CRUD operations and API endpoints
  • Data transformations and migrations
  • Test writing and coverage improvements
  • Bug fixes with clear symptoms
  • Documentation updates
  • Boilerplate and scaffolding

Use with caution​

  • Core authentication or authorization logic
  • Payment processing
  • Complex architectural decisions
  • Performance-critical algorithms

Always review agent-generated code for security-sensitive features before merging.

Agent capabilities​

Agents can:

  • Read and understand your entire codebase
  • Install packages and dependencies
  • Create, modify, and delete files
  • Run commands, scripts, and tests
  • Access Okteto environment variables and configs
  • Interact with databases and external APIs

Agents cannot:

  • Access production environments
  • Bypass your CI/CD pipeline
  • Merge code without your approval
  • Access secrets not provided to the environment
  • Modify Okteto platform settings

Troubleshooting​

Agent is taking too long — break complex tasks into smaller steps and provide more specific instructions. Check if your environment is running low on resources.

Agent doesn't understand your codebase — make sure the repository is accessible, provide context about your architecture, and reference specific files or patterns.

Tests are failing — specify test requirements clearly, provide example test cases, and verify that environment dependencies are available.

Can't see the preview environment — wait for deployment to complete, check service health endpoints, and verify port configurations.

Get help​

Prompt guide​

For advanced prompting techniques, download the Okteto AI Prompt Guide (PDF).