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Getting Started with Kai

Get your first security scan running in under 5 minutes. No configuration required - just install, authenticate, and scan.

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Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:
  • VS Code 1.80.0 or higher
  • Internet connection (selected files are uploaded to Kai’s cloud for analysis)
  • Git repository with at least one commit (Kai uses the commit hash for scan identification)

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Step 1: Install the VS Code Extension

  1. Open VS Code
  2. Go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X)
  3. Search for “Kai Agent” by Dria
  4. Click Install
Alternatively, install directly from the VS Code Marketplace.

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Step 2: Open Your Project

  1. Open a folder containing code you want to scan
  2. Make sure it’s a git repository with at least one commit
  3. Look for the Kai icon in the Activity Bar (left sidebar)
Not a git repository? Run git init && git add . && git commit -m "Initial commit" in your project folder.

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Step 3: Sign In

  1. Click the Kai icon in the Activity Bar
  2. In the Kai panel, click Sign In
  3. Your browser will open to GitHub OAuth
  4. Authorize Kai to access your GitHub account
  5. Return to VS Code - you should now see your account information
Kai uses GitHub OAuth for authentication but never accesses your private repositories unless you explicitly upload code for scanning.

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Step 4: Select Files to Scan

  1. In the Files to Review panel, browse your project files
  2. Check the boxes next to files you want to include in the scan
  3. Focus on your main application code - Kai automatically excludes:
    • Configuration files (.env, .gitignore)
    • Node modules and dependencies
    • Binary files and assets
Start small: For your first scan, select key files. You can always run additional scans with more files later. Maximum upload size is 50MB per scan.

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Step 5: Choose Your Scan Mode

When you’re ready to scan, you’ll choose from three scan modes:
  • Baseline ⚡ - Quick scan with basic analysis (~2 hours)
  • Enhanced 🎯 - Balanced scan with comprehensive analysis (~4 hours, recommended)
  • Full 🔍 - Deep scan with maximum thoroughness (~8 hours)
New to Kai? Start with Enhanced mode. It provides thorough analysis without the time commitment of Full mode.

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Step 6: Run Your First Scan

  1. With files selected, click the Scan button
  2. Choose your scan mode (Enhanced recommended)
  3. Kai will bundle your files and start the analysis in the cloud
  4. You’ll see progress updates in the Executions panel
What happens next:
  • Files are securely uploaded to Kai’s cloud runtime
  • AI agents begin analyzing your code in parallel
  • You can close VS Code - the scan continues in the cloud
  • You’ll get progress updates as vulnerabilities are found and verified

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Step 7: Review Your Results

Once the scan completes (you’ll see a notification), you can review findings:
  1. Go to the Scan Results view in the Kai panel
  2. Browse vulnerabilities organized by severity (Critical, High, Medium, Low)
  3. Click on any finding to see:
    • Detailed explanation of the vulnerability
    • Working exploit code that proves it’s real
    • Suggested fix with code changes
    • Impact assessment and severity reasoning

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Step 8: Manage Vulnerabilities

Kai includes a Kanban-style workflow for tracking fixes:
  • Awaiting Verification: Potential issues being analyzed
  • Awaiting Approval: Confirmed vulnerabilities ready for review
  • To Be Fixed: Approved issues ready for remediation
  • Fixed: Resolved vulnerabilities
  • Won’t Do: Issues you’ve decided to skip
Drag and drop findings between columns to track your progress.

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Next Steps

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Customize Your Setup

  • Add your OpenRouter API key (Coming Soon): Reduce costs by using your own LLM credits
  • Set default scan mode: (Coming Soon) Choose your preferred default in Kai Settings
  • Explore the web dashboard: View team analytics and collaborate on findings

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Learn More

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Get Help

  • Check the FAQ for common questions and solutions
  • Review Security & Privacy for data handling details
  • Contact support through the web dashboard if you’re stuck

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What to Expect from Your First Scan

Timeline: Enhanced scans typically complete in 2-4 hours, depending on code complexity. Results: Most projects have 3-15 verified vulnerabilities. Don’t worry if this seems high - many are minor issues with clear fixes. Learning: Each finding includes educational content explaining why it’s a problem and how to fix it. False Positives: Extremely rare. If Kai reports a vulnerability, it comes with working exploit code proving it’s real. Ready to secure your code? Install the extension and run your first scan today! Install Kai Extension →