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

# Quickstart

> Understand AUI's three products and start building in minutes.

## AUI Products

AUI provides three products for building and integrating AI agents:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Messaging API" icon="message" href="/messaging-api/overview">
    Integrate AI agents into your product. Send messages via REST or WebSocket and receive structured responses, recommendations, and streaming outputs — ready for web, mobile, or backend use.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Agent Builder API" icon="robot" href="/agent-builder/overview">
    Programmatically create and manage agents. Define knowledge, tools, behavior,
    and guardrails through a simple API — fully customizable and scalable.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CLI" icon="terminal" href="/cli/overview">
    Develop agents locally with a CLI-first workflow. Edit JSON configs with schema support, validate instantly, and deploy to the cloud with a single command.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

|               | Messaging API           | Agent Builder API         | CLI                     |
| ------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Purpose**   | Send & receive messages | Create & configure agents | Develop & deploy agents |
| **Interface** | REST + WebSocket        | REST                      | Terminal                |
| **Status**    | v1 — Stable             | Upcoming — Mid April 2026 | Beta — GA April 2026    |
| **Best for**  | App integration         | Automation & CI/CD        | Day-to-day development  |

***

## Start from the Playground

The fastest way to experience AUI is through the [Playground](https://playground.aui.io) — no code required.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Playground">
    Go to [playground.aui.io](https://playground.aui.io) and log in with your AUI account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select an agent">
    Choose an existing agent or create a new one to start a conversation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Chat">
    Send messages and see the agent respond in real time. Test how it handles different intents, activates tools, and follows rules.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to code">
    When you're ready to integrate, use the Messaging API to send the same messages programmatically:

    ```bash cURL theme={null}
    curl -X POST "https://data-services.aui.io/api/ia-controller/api/v1/external/message" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -H "x-network-api-key: your-api-key" \
      -d '{
        "task_id": "your-task-id",
        "text": "I need help finding a product"
      }'
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Messaging API" icon="paper-plane" href="/messaging-api/overview">
    Start integrating agents into your app.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CLI Installation" icon="download" href="/cli/installation">
    Install the CLI and start building agents locally.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>