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ZCode is an intelligent agent development environment launched by Zhipu, also known as Agentic Development Environment (ADE). Unlike traditional editors, it is equipped with an AI assistant that can deeply operate on projects, view projects, modify files, execute commands, and organize code changes. ZCode can connect AI agents to real projects, completing the entire development workflow of requirement analysis, code modification, testing, code review, and pre-launch verification in one stop. Ordinary AI tools can only generate scattered code snippets. ZCode supports issuing complete development tasks using natural language, making it suitable for users who want to drive development with natural language. !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tutorial_1781526523524.png) > The core of ZCode is not simple chat, but continuously advancing a complete task around a development goal. | Concept | Description | Suitable Scenarios | | --- | --- | --- | | ZCode | Development environment for AI Agents. | Want to advance real project development using natural language. | | ZCode Agent | Agent responsible for understanding tasks, reading context, modifying code, and verifying results. | Complex requirement breakdown, code generation, debugging, testing. | | Long Horizon Task | Development tasks with long span and many steps. | Refactoring modules, fixing complex bugs, implementing complete features. | | Workspace | Place where ZCode handles project files, terminals, Git status, and task context. | Open an existing project, or create a new project in a directory. | * * * ## What ZCode is Suitable For ZCode is suitable for development work that requires continuous context. It can read files, understand project structure, execute commands, and provide summaries after changes are completed. These capabilities are suitable for real engineering, not just one-time Q&A. | Task Type | What ZCode Can Do | Typical Prompts | | --- | --- | --- | | New Feature Development | Check project structure according to requirements, create or modify related files. | Help me add a login page to this project and integrate it with existing routes. | | Bug Fix | Locate the cause of errors, modify code, and run verification commands. | Fix the page flashing issue after clicking mobile buttons. | | Code Understanding | Organize module relationships, explain the call chain from entry to implementation of a feature. | Help me explain the payment flow of this project. | | Code Review | Check change risks, propose inline suggestions or improvement directions. | Please review the current changes, focusing on regression risks. | | Release Preparation | Generate changelog, organize release notes, check Git status. | Generate a draft release note based on recent commits. | * * * ## Install ZCode After entering the ZCode Chinese official website, you can click the download entry from the homepage. The official website address is [https://zcode.z.ai/cn](https://zcode.z.ai/cn). The official website page shows the currently downloadable version, supporting Windows, macOS, and Linux. Generally, the official website will show the download button for your current system: !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tutorial_1781526953215.png) After downloading, click to install: [!(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tutorial_1781526758476.png)](https://zcode.z.ai/cn) ### Basic Preparation After Installation When you start for the first time, you will enter the "First Launch Setup" page. After completing it, click Connect to Use in the lower left corner to enter the login page: !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tutorial_1781527107366.png) If you want to use model services, you also need to complete API Key or (https://example.com/claude-code/coding-plan.html) related configuration. You can also configure it in the settings page after logging in: !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tutorial_1781527259750.png) The official free quota is very limited now, basically not enough to use. The following Coding Plan packages are recommended: Next, we use [ByteDance's Coding Plan](https://www.volcengine.com/activity/codingplan?utm_campaign=hw&utm_content=hw&utm_medium=devrel_tool_web&utm_source=OWO&utm_term=tutorial) as an example for configuration. Visit the (https://www.volcengine.com/activity/codingplan?utm_campaign=hw&utm_content=hw&utm_medium=devrel_tool_web&utm_source=OWO&utm_term=tutorial), subscribe to a package as needed. If usage is not large, the Lite version is sufficient. If usage is very large, you can use the Pro version. After successful purchase, click (https://console.volcengine.com/ark/region:ark+cn-beijing/apikey?utm_campaign=hw&utm_content=hw&utm_medium=devrel_tool_web&utm_source=OWO&utm_term=tutorial): !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/tutorial_1779112526266.png) Then click the create button: !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/tutorial_1779112762833.png) Click the small eye icon below, you can see the API key. When you need to use it, just copy it: !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/tutorial_1779112886012.png) The Base URL for different tool configurations varies depending on the compatible protocol: * Tools compatible with Anthropic interface protocol: https://ark.cn-beijing.volces.com/api/coding * Tools compatible with OpenAI interface protocol: https://ark.cn-beijing.volces.com/api/coding/v3 Here we choose https://ark.cn-beijing.volces.com/api/coding. Set the API key to your own. You can add multiple models to the model list. Here enter Kimi-K2.6. You can also add other models like DeepSeek-V4-Pro: !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tutorial_1781527694819.png) After adding, you can test if the model is available: !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tutorial_1781527995357.png) In the lower right corner of the homepage dialog box, you can see the models we added: !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tutorial_1781528306022.png) ZCode provides pages for API Key configuration, usage statistics, user feedback, and support. !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tutorial_1781528059918.png) * * * ## Using ZCode for the First Time We can start with a simple project, let ZCode create a browser-side mini-game, or let it explain the directory structure of an existing project. This can quickly help you understand how ZCode works. ### Open or Create a Workspace The workspace can be understood as the project directory that ZCode is currently processing. You can open an existing project directory, or start a new project in an empty directory. ZCode will read files, execute commands, and manage changes around this directory. ### Create a New Task In ZCode, a task is the basic unit that drives the Agent to work. The official website examples show ways to describe tasks using natural language. The page also shows the shortcut key for creating a new task: ⌘N. New task example: Create an intelligent Gomoku web game, including the board, player moves, win/loss judgment, and a simple computer opponent. !(https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/tutorial_1781528482239.png) ### Observe the Execution Process After the task starts, ZCode will analyze the project according to the goal and advance step by step. You can see task progress, execution logs, file changes, terminal output, and Git status. This is more reliable than just copying a piece of AI-generated code, because it can put the code back into a real project for verification. | Interface Area | Function | What Beginners Should Focus On | | --- | --- | --- | | Task Progress | Shows current task breakdown and completion status. | Confirm whether the Agent is advancing according to the goal. | | Terminal Output | Shows command execution results. | Pay attention to whether there are errors and whether verification commands pass. | | File Changes | Shows newly added, modified, or deleted files. |