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.