Granular Granular

The Granular interface: chat, terminal, preview, and docs

In short

Granular has four core surfaces, chat, terminal, preview, and docs. Here is what each one does and when to use it.

Updated 2026-06-29

Chat, where you talk to the agent

Chat is the primary surface. You describe goals, the agent replies and works, and you steer with follow-ups. Drag in any file (image, PDF, doc) to give the agent context.

Terminal, the work, made visible

The terminal is the real shell where the agent runs commands. You see every command and its output as it happens. This transparency is the point: nothing is hidden, and you can watch the work the way you'd watch over a teammate's shoulder.

Preview, see what you built

When work produces something viewable, a web page, a local site, a built file, the preview pane shows it instantly and refreshes as the agent changes it.

Docs, your brain and notes

The docs pane reads the markdown in your workspace, including your digital brain as a linked map. It is where standing context, plans, and notes live.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use the terminal directly?
No, you can work entirely through chat. The terminal is there so you can see what the agent does, not because you have to type in it.
Can I rearrange the panes?
Yes. Preview and docs open beside the chat, and the chat/terminal can be focused or expanded to suit the task.

Related

Your first session in Granular
Start a session, chat your goal in plain English, and watch an AI agent do the work in a real terminal. Here is exactly what to expect the first time.
The digital brain and roadmap
A digital brain is a folder of linked markdown notes that gives your agents standing context, your mission, projects, and decisions, plus a roadmap board they can read and update.
Sessions and projects in Granular
A session is one chat-plus-terminal workspace; a project groups related sessions and files. Here is how they fit together.