Documentation

Everything you need to know about TensorPM

Getting Started

TensorPM is an offline-first desktop app for context-driven project management.

The product combines three layers:

  • structured project context (goals, scope, risks, milestones, requirements)
  • execution (Action Items, dependencies, recurring work, time tracking)
  • AI support (Guidance, chat, Quick Actions, distillation into context updates)

Choose your working mode

You can run TensorPM in four practical modes:

  • No AI: fully local usage without model providers
  • BYOK: connect your own keys for OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or Mistral
  • Cloud: cloud workspaces + sync + team collaboration
  • Pro: everything in Cloud plus included TensorPM AI requests

You can switch this later in Settings.

Install and first launch

Platform support and runtime basics

  • Desktop builds target Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Internet is required for cloud sync and online AI providers.
  • Local workspaces remain usable offline.

First launch sequence

  1. Install and open TensorPM.
  2. Click the welcome CTA.
  3. Answer the short name step or skip it.
  4. Choose the assistant activity level.
  5. Describe your first project in one prompt.
  6. Review the generated project.
  7. Open Settings to configure AI and account options if needed.

Create your first project

There are two different first-project paths:

  • Onboarding: one plain-language project prompt, then TensorPM generates the starter project.
  • Project Explorer: explicit creation modes for normal project creation after onboarding.

In the Project Explorer, TensorPM asks how you want to start:

  • Empty Wizard
  • From Prompt
  • From Document
  • Skip Wizard

Important behavior from the app flow:

  • Project name is required before continue.
  • Prompt input is limited to 800 characters.
  • Document import enforces a token budget (about 80,000 tokens total).

Optional AI readiness check

After first setup, open the AI panel once and verify:

  • model selector shows an actual model (not only AI)
  • send button is active when text is entered

If not, finish provider setup in Settings -> AI.

Orient yourself in the UI

The left sidebar is your primary navigation:

  • Context
  • Guidance
  • Actions
  • Timeline
  • People
  • Budget
  • Files
  • Trail

In Context, the profile area is split into:

  • Info
  • Profile
  • Resources
  • Content
  • Planning
  • Risks

Recommended first-day routine

  1. Review the project generated from onboarding or create a project from Project Explorer.
  2. Correct goal, scope, timeframe, budget, risks, and requirements before relying on AI guidance.
  3. Add initial Action Items and organize categories.
  4. Open Guidance and run at least one Context analysis.
  5. Use the AI panel Quick Actions for create, re-evaluate, split, and plan.
  6. Decide whether your workspace should stay local or be converted to cloud.

Offline-first behavior

Local workspaces always stay local. Cloud workspaces still work offline, then sync when connection returns.

Next steps

Next
Onboarding
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