Migration Guide

Move from existing coding agents to Picasso without losing workflow shape. Signing in with a Claude or ChatGPT subscription is not available in this release; use an API key, a route you add, or Picasso's free model (picasso provider use picasso-free).

From Claude Code

Keep:

• Terminal-first workflow.
• Streaming tool blocks.
• Your past sessions: picasso import claude brings them in (see history-import.md).

Change:

• Use /goal for long-horizon work.
• Use /memory for project facts and durable decisions.
• Use named subagents for focused parallel reviews.

First command:

picasso import claude --dry-run
picasso provider set anthropic --key-stdin

From Codex CLI

Keep:

• Command-line agent loop.
• Git-aware project workflows.
• Your past sessions: picasso import codex brings them in.

Change:

• Use provider routing for non-OpenAI models.
• Use plan mode for explicit approval.
• Use sponsor-supported managed mode when you do not want API billing.

First command:

picasso import codex --dry-run
picasso provider set openai --key-stdin

From Cursor

Keep:

• Project-aware code editing.
• Model selection.
• Diff review.

Change:

• Work in the terminal TUI.
• Use explicit tool permissions instead of editor trust.
• Use memory namespaces instead of relying only on workspace context.

First command:

picasso run "review the current branch and propose a plan"

From Tabnine

Keep:

• Team-safe coding assistance.
• Enterprise policy expectations.

Change:

• Use autonomous goal contracts for bounded work.
• Use audit logs and sandbox modes for destructive operations.
• Use subagents for review, migration, and test writing.

First command:

picasso goal templates

From Aider

Keep:

• Git-centered workflow.
• Terminal operation.
• Explicit file changes.

Change:

• Use plan mode before broad edits.
• Use session replay to inspect decisions.
• Use provider fallback and budget caps.

First command:

picasso run "make a plan for the current git diff"

Cross-tool checklist

• Add provider credentials (picasso provider set <route> --key-stdin, or Settings › Providers in the Mac app).
• Bring in past sessions with picasso import (Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode).
• Check each model's context window, output limit and reasoning levels with picasso models.
• Run one small prompt.
• Open /memory and inspect project facts.
• Run /goal monitor during a bounded goal.
• Confirm sandbox mode before destructive commands.
• Review session replay after the first substantial run.