From dafc6a68c79e3c76868102a73261ea827de72a6b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: =?UTF-8?q?Mar=C3=ADa=20Craig?= Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2026 16:09:52 -0300 Subject: [PATCH] Add Parallel Agents docs and update AI overview and agent panel --- docs/src/SUMMARY.md | 1 + docs/src/ai/agent-panel.md | 12 +----- docs/src/ai/overview.md | 5 ++- docs/src/ai/parallel-agents.md | 68 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 4 files changed, 75 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-) create mode 100644 docs/src/ai/parallel-agents.md diff --git a/docs/src/SUMMARY.md b/docs/src/SUMMARY.md index 2dca46d99a4a274300e82f67b6f0eac96bb55ee9..59b0a5b1cefb3582189671212cba21837717556e 100644 --- a/docs/src/SUMMARY.md +++ b/docs/src/SUMMARY.md @@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ - [Tools](./ai/tools.md) - [Tool Permissions](./ai/tool-permissions.md) - [External Agents](./ai/external-agents.md) +- [Parallel Agents](./ai/parallel-agents.md) - [Inline Assistant](./ai/inline-assistant.md) - [Edit Prediction](./ai/edit-prediction.md) - [Rules](./ai/rules.md) diff --git a/docs/src/ai/agent-panel.md b/docs/src/ai/agent-panel.md index 89b0126c55a12b08d4f21a01fea38758c4d509b7..df3ca6c87fb1ae6c9ea88d41acc417fc5b43e7fe 100644 --- a/docs/src/ai/agent-panel.md +++ b/docs/src/ai/agent-panel.md @@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ By default, the Agent Panel uses Zed's first-party agent. To choose another agent, go to the plus button in the top-right of the Agent Panel and pick one of the [external agents](./external-agents.md) installed out of the box. +To start and manage multiple threads at once, use the [Threads Sidebar](./parallel-agents.md#threads-sidebar). + ### Editing Messages {#editing-messages} Any message that you send to the model is editable. @@ -71,16 +73,6 @@ In long conversations, use the scroll arrow buttons at the bottom of the panel t When focus is in the message editor, you can also use {#kb agent::ScrollOutputPageUp}, {#kb agent::ScrollOutputPageDown}, {#kb agent::ScrollOutputToTop}, {#kb agent::ScrollOutputToBottom}, {#kb agent::ScrollOutputLineUp}, and {#kb agent::ScrollOutputLineDown} to navigate the thread, or {#kb agent::ScrollOutputToPreviousMessage} and {#kb agent::ScrollOutputToNextMessage} to jump between your prompts. -### Navigating History {#navigating-history} - -To quickly navigate through recently updated threads, use the {#kb agent::ToggleNavigationMenu} binding when focused on the panel's editor, or click the menu icon button at the top right of the panel. -Doing that will open a dropdown that shows you your six most recently updated threads. - -To view all historical conversations, reach for the `View All` option from within the same menu or via the {#kb agent::OpenHistory} binding. - -Thread titles are auto-generated based on the content of the conversation. -But you can also edit them manually by clicking the title and typing, or regenerate them by clicking the "Regenerate Thread Title" button in the ellipsis menu in the top right of the panel. - ### Following the Agent {#following-the-agent} Follow the agent as it reads and edits files by clicking the crosshair icon at the bottom left of the panel. diff --git a/docs/src/ai/overview.md b/docs/src/ai/overview.md index 7ea435975ec5ba12f68a7a3ad19007fd65ba65e8..66665830021e289b0df7eb3733fddcad67e934c6 100644 --- a/docs/src/ai/overview.md +++ b/docs/src/ai/overview.md @@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ Zed's AI features run inside a native, GPU-accelerated application built in Rust ## Agentic editing -The [Agent Panel](./agent-panel.md) is where you work with AI agents. Agents can read files, edit code, run terminal commands, search the web, and access diagnostics through [built-in tools](./tools.md). +The [Threads Sidebar](./parallel-agents.md) is where you organize agent work. Start a thread, give it a task, and the agent reads, edits, and runs code through [built-in tools](./tools.md). You can run multiple threads at once, each using a different agent and working against different projects. + +The [Agent Panel](./agent-panel.md) is the conversation view for the active thread. Use it to send prompts, review changes, add context, and interact with the agent as it works. You can extend agents with additional tools through [MCP servers](./mcp.md), control what they can access with [tool permissions](./tool-permissions.md), and shape their behavior with [rules](./rules.md). @@ -33,6 +35,7 @@ The default provider is Zeta, Zed's open-source model trained on open data. You ## Getting started - [Configuration](./configuration.md): Connect to Anthropic, OpenAI, Ollama, Google AI, or other LLM providers. +- [Parallel Agents](./parallel-agents.md): Run multiple threads at once with the Threads Sidebar. - [External Agents](./external-agents.md): Run Claude Agent, Codex, Aider, or other external agents inside Zed. - [Subscription](./subscription.md): Zed's hosted models and billing. - [Privacy and Security](./privacy-and-security.md): How Zed handles data when using AI features. diff --git a/docs/src/ai/parallel-agents.md b/docs/src/ai/parallel-agents.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..4b79acf27956a35be2826668c6ec8e2bb585209a --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/src/ai/parallel-agents.md @@ -0,0 +1,68 @@ +--- +title: Parallel Agents - Zed +description: Run multiple agent threads concurrently using the Threads Sidebar, manage them across projects, and isolate work using git worktrees. +--- + +# Parallel Agents + +Parallel Agents lets you run multiple agent threads at once, each working independently with its own agent, context window, and conversation history. The Threads Sidebar is the component where you start, manage, and switch between them. + +Open the Threads Sidebar with {#kb multi_workspace::ToggleWorkspaceSidebar}. + +## The Threads Sidebar {#threads-sidebar} + +The sidebar shows your threads grouped by project. Each project gets its own section with a header. Threads appear below with their title, status indicator, and which agent is running them. + +To focus the sidebar without toggling it, use {#kb multi_workspace::FocusWorkspaceSidebar}. To search your threads, press {#kb agents_sidebar::FocusSidebarFilter} while the sidebar is focused. + +### Switching Threads {#switching-threads} + +Click any thread in the sidebar to switch to it. The Agent Panel updates to show that thread's conversation. + +For quick switching without opening the sidebar, use the thread switcher: press {#kb agents_sidebar::ToggleThreadSwitcher} to cycle forward through recent threads, or hold `Shift` while pressing that binding to go backward. This works from both the Agent Panel and the Threads Sidebar. + +### The Archive {#archive} + +The archive holds threads you've hidden or are no longer actively working in. Toggle the archive with {#kb agents_sidebar::ToggleArchive} or by clicking the archive icon in the sidebar bottom bar. + +The archive has a search bar at the top. Type to search thread titles by fuzzy match. + +### Importing ACP Threads {#importing-threads} + +When the archive is open, an **Import ACP Threads** button appears in the sidebar bottom bar. Click it to open the import modal, which lists your installed external agents. Select the agents whose threads you want to import and confirm. Zed finds threads from those agents, whether they were started in Zed or in another client, and adds them to your thread history. + +## Running Multiple Threads {#running-multiple-threads} + +Start a new thread with {#action agent::NewThread}. Each thread runs independently, so you can send a prompt, open a second thread, and give it a different task while the first continues working. + +To start a new thread scoped to the currently selected project in the sidebar, use {#action agents_sidebar::NewThreadInGroup}. + +Each thread can use a different agent. Select the agent from the model selector in that thread's Agent Panel. You might run Zed's built-in agent in one thread and an [external agent](./external-agents.md) like Claude Code in another. + +## Multiple Projects {#multiple-projects} + +The Threads Sidebar can hold multiple projects at once. Each project gets its own group with its own threads and conversation history. + +Within a project, you can add multiple folders. Use {#action workspace::AddFolderToProject} from the command palette, or select **Add Folder to Project** from the project header menu in the sidebar. Agents can then read and write across all of those folders in a single thread. + +Agents have access to every project and folder in the sidebar, not just the one a thread was started in. + +## Worktree Isolation {#worktree-isolation} + +By default, all threads in a window share the same working copy. If two threads might edit the same files, start one in a new git worktree to give it an isolated checkout. + +In the Agent Panel toolbar, click the worktree selector and choose **New Git Worktree**. You can also cycle between options with {#kb agent::CycleStartThreadIn}. When you send the first message, Zed creates a new worktree from the current branch and opens it in a new window. + +After the agent finishes, review the diff, merge the changes through your normal git workflow, and delete the worktree when done. + +> **Note:** Starting a thread in a new worktree requires the project to be in a git repository. + +## Default Layout {#layout} + +New installs place the Agent Panel and Threads Sidebar on the left. The Project Panel, Git Panel, and other panels move to the right, keeping the thread list and conversation next to each other. To rearrange panels, right-click any panel icon in the status bar. + +## See Also {#see-also} + +- [Agent Panel](./agent-panel.md): Manage individual threads and configure the agent +- [External Agents](./external-agents.md): Use Claude Code, Gemini CLI, and other agents +- [Tools](./tools.md): Built-in tools available in each thread