Req2CodeExplore Workbench

GETTING STARTED

From download
to first conversation.

Workbench 0.1.2 needs macOS 27 or later on a Mac with Apple Silicon, plus at least one AI command-line tool you’ve signed in to.

01 · INSTALL

Install
Workbench.

Download the disk image
Get the .dmg from the download page. It’s served from downloads.req2code.com, and the page lists its SHA-256 checksum.
Drag Workbench to Applications
Open the disk image and drag Workbench onto the Applications folder shown beside it. Then eject the disk image.
Open it for the first time
Open Workbench from Applications or Spotlight. Workbench is signed by Req2Code and notarized by Apple. macOS may ask you to confirm before opening it for the first time. Choose Open. If macOS won’t open it, see troubleshooting.

02 · AI TOOLS

Connect
an AI tool.

Workbench runs the command-line tools installed on your Mac with your own accounts. It doesn’t resell or proxy AI access, and isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by the providers.

Install at least one CLI
Follow the provider’s own installation instructions:Workbench finds CLIs installed with Homebrew, npm or the provider’s own installer.
Qualified CLI versions

For Workbench 0.1.2 build 714:

ProviderSupported CLI version
Codex0.166.0
Claude Code2.1.308
Grok1.0.70 stable

These versions are qualified for this release. Other versions may work but are unverified; compatibility issues may require reproduction on a qualified version.

Check your installed CLI versions in Settings → Providers.

Sign in with the tool’s own login
When a conversation needs it, Workbench shows Sign in to … and opens a sign-in window that runs the tool’s login for you. A browser may open to finish signing in. You can also sign in yourself in any terminal:
  • Codex: codex login
  • Claude Code with a Claude subscription: claude auth login
  • Claude Code with an Anthropic Console account: claude auth login --console
  • Grok: grok login
Workbench uses the provider tool’s configured authentication.
Claude Code: check your account and billing
Workbench uses the authentication reported by your installed Claude Code, including subscription, API-key, token and cloud-provider configurations. Your shell environment and Claude Code settings can select a different account or billing method from the login you just completed. Check the method shown in Workbench before starting work. If it differs from the one you intended, follow the notice to review your environment or settings, then try again. Usage follows the account or service Claude Code is actually using.

03 · FIRST PROJECT

Start
working.

Create a project from a folder
Choose New Project, give it a name and choose a Workspace folder, usually your repository. That folder is the project root for agent sessions. Commands still run with your normal macOS account permissions.
Start a conversation in Plan or Build
Choose New Conversation, then pick Codex, Claude Code or Grok from the provider menu in the message composer. Plan mode keeps repository files read-only while you explore and agree an approach. Switch to Build mode when you want the agent to edit your workspace.
Send your first message
In Plan mode, try: “Explain how this project is organised, identify how to run it, and suggest one small improvement. Don’t change any files yet.” Review the answer and ask follow-up questions. When you’re ready, switch to Build and ask the agent to implement the change you agreed.
Open a terminal
Choose New Terminal Session to run your own shell in the project folder, alongside your conversations.
Make a milestone plan
In a connected conversation, click Plan milestones in the toolbar. Describe the outcome, optionally add scope, constraints and saved project documents, then start. The agent saves a draft plan for you to review and refine. Saving the plan does not start implementation; tell the agent when you’re ready to build. Saved plans appear in the Project Library under Plans, with a roadmap view.

04 · FREE AND PRO

Upgrade when
you need more.

Free
Every feature, for one project on this Mac. Active and archived projects both count, so archiving doesn’t free the slot.
Pro
$89.99 a year for unlimited projects on up to 3 Macs, starting with a 7-day free trial. See pricing.
Buy and activate
  1. Open Workbench → Settings → Licence and click Buy Pro…. Checkout opens on Polar in your browser.
  2. After checkout (your trial starts straight away), copy your licence key from Polar. You can find it again at any time with Manage Purchases / Find License Key… or in the Polar customer portal ↗.
  3. Back in Settings → Licence, click I have a license key, paste the key and click Activate.
Staying verified
Pro checks your licence online about once a day and keeps working offline for up to 7 days. If Pro access ends, Workbench returns to Free; your projects and documents are kept.

NEED HELP?

Something not
working?

Troubleshooting →Read the FAQ →Email support →