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OpenHands Setup and First Run

1. What a first OpenHands setup should prove​

For OpenHands, a successful first run should prove more than "the interface opened." It should prove:

  1. the agent can read a repo,
  2. the runtime can execute commands,
  3. file edits work,
  4. the sandbox and approval model are understandable.

2. Local vs broader deployment​

OpenHands can be approached in at least two practical ways:

PathBest when
Local setupYou want to evaluate the agent loop directly
Shared or hosted-style environmentYou want repeatable usage for a team

For most developers, local setup is the right first move because it exposes the runtime model clearly.

3. The practical first-run flow​

A good first-run sequence is:

  1. start the official local environment,
  2. connect a supported model provider,
  3. open a small test repository,
  4. assign one narrow task,
  5. watch what the agent reads, runs, and edits.

That tells you much more than a marketing demo ever will.

4. Why small tasks matter first​

OpenHands is capable of multi-step work, so beginners often start too large. Resist that. Use one bug fix, one small test, or one limited refactor first.

5. What you should inspect​

During the first run, pay attention to:

  • command execution behavior,
  • how the agent explains its next step,
  • whether the sandbox feels clear,
  • and whether the result would be safe to commit.