Clay Studio gives you a browser workspace for working with AI agents. Use a project for work in a folder or repository, or create a Mate for a continuing role such as research or review. Clay is your built-in lead Mate. Projects and Mates explains how they work together.
#Choose a manual version
Use Stable for the released product or Beta for changes being prepared for release. The documentation sidebar shows the current channel and, when supplied, its version. On mobile, open the navigation menu to find the switcher. Choosing another channel opens its overview; an unavailable destination is disabled. Preview identifies a build without a stable or beta channel designation.
#Join an existing server
If someone has given you a Clay Studio address, open it in your browser and complete the sign-in or invitation flow. You do not need to install coding agents on the device you use to view it. Ask the server operator for project access and provider setup if those are unavailable.
The same address can work from your phone when the server is reachable. An address beginning with localhost refers to the device opening it, so use the server's actual hostname when connecting remotely.
#Set up your own server
The server machine holds your project files and runs the coding agents. It can be the computer you are using now.
- Install a supported Node.js LTS release (Clay Studio requires version 20 or newer) using the official Node.js download instructions.
- Open a terminal on that machine and run
node --versionto check the installation. - Install and sign in to a coding-agent CLI under the account that will run Clay Studio. Provider sign-in includes a complete Claude Code example and links for alternatives.
- Start Clay Studio:
npx clay-server
Follow the startup prompts, then open the printed URL. Complete the administrator setup or sign-in shown. HTTPS is enabled by default; follow the printed certificate instructions. The default port is 2633. To choose another port, use npx clay-server -p 8080.
A second invocation can connect to an already running server. Use the CLI reference when you need unattended startup or an independent installation.
#Try a first task
Follow Your first project to open a folder and create a session. Send a small request such as “Explain how to run this project's checks. Do not change files yet.” You should see the response in the conversation, with tool activity and any permission requests alongside it.
If you want a continuing collaborator instead, follow Create and shape a Mate.
To visit the Clay Studio website, select the wordmark at the top left of the app. It opens clay.studio in a new tab, leaving your workspace open.
#Understand where information goes
Your request travels through the Clay Studio server and the selected coding-agent application to its provider; it does not require a Clay Studio-hosted relay. Connected services, email, websites, and agent network commands can also receive data when used for your task.
Private conversations limit who can see them in Clay Studio. They do not prevent the agent from using a connected service you authorize. For remote access and server maintenance, see Server administration.