Getting Started with Lattice Engine

# Getting Started with Lattice Engine

Welcome to Lattice Engine, the revolutionary platform that brings agentic coding to your development workflow. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started with your first project.

## What is Lattice Engine?

Lattice Engine is an AI-powered development platform that enables agentic coding – where AI agents can understand requirements, write code, and even refactor existing codebases. It combines the power of large language models with sophisticated code analysis and generation capabilities.

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

- Node.js 18 or higher installed
- A code editor (we recommend VS Code with our extension)
- Basic understanding of JavaScript/TypeScript
- A Lattice Engine account (sign up at [lattice.ai](https://lattice.ai))

## Installation

### 1. Install the CLI

```bash
npm install -g @lattice/cli
```

### 2. Initialize Your Project

```bash
mkdir my-lattice-project
cd my-lattice-project
lattice init
```

### 3. Install the VS Code Extension

Search for "Lattice Engine" in the VS Code marketplace and install the official extension.

## Your First Project

Let's create a simple web application to understand how Lattice Engine works.

### Step 1: Create a Specification

Lattice Engine works with specifications that describe what you want to build. Create a file called `spec.md`:

```markdown
# Todo App Specification

## Overview
A simple todo application with the following features:
- Add new todos
- Mark todos as complete
- Delete todos
- Filter by status (all, active, completed)

## Technical Requirements
- Use React with TypeScript
- Use Tailwind CSS for styling
- Store data in localStorage
- Include proper TypeScript types
- Add unit tests

## UI Requirements
- Clean, modern interface
- Responsive design
- Smooth animations
- Accessibility features
```

### Step 2: Generate the Application

Run the lattice generate command:

```bash
lattice generate spec.md
```

Lattice Engine will analyze your specification and generate a complete React application with all the requested features.

### Step 3: Review and Refine

The generated code will include:

- Component structure
- TypeScript types
- Styling with Tailwind
- Local storage integration
- Unit tests
- Documentation

Review the generated code and make any adjustments needed.

## Core Concepts

### Specifications

Specifications are the heart of Lattice Engine. They describe what you want to build in natural language, and the AI translates them into functional code.

### Agents

Lattice Engine uses specialized AI agents for different tasks:

- **Code Generation Agent**: Creates new code based on specifications
- **Refactoring Agent**: Improves existing code
- **Testing Agent**: Writes and maintains tests
- **Documentation Agent**: Generates and updates documentation

### Mutations

Mutations are changes to your codebase. Lattice Engine can:

- Add new features
- Fix bugs
- Refactor code
- Update dependencies
- Improve performance

## Best Practices

### Writing Effective Specifications

1. **Be Specific**: Clearly describe what you want
2. **Include Constraints**: Mention technical requirements
3. **Provide Context**: Explain the purpose and users
4. **Iterate**: Start simple and add complexity gradually

### Working with Generated Code

1. **Review Carefully**: Always review generated code
2. **Test Thoroughly**: Run tests and manual testing
3. **Customize as Needed**: Modify generated code to fit your needs
4. **Provide Feedback**: Help improve the AI with feedback

### Collaboration

1. **Version Control**: Use Git to track changes
2. **Code Reviews**: Review AI-generated code like human code
3. **Documentation**: Keep specifications updated
4. **Team Communication**: Share insights and learnings

## Advanced Features

### Custom Agents

You can create custom agents for specific tasks:

```typescript
import { Agent } from '@lattice/sdk'

const customAgent = new Agent({
name: 'Database Schema Agent',
expertise: ['database design', 'SQL', 'migration'],
instructions: 'Focus on creating efficient and scalable database schemas'
})
```

### Integration with CI/CD

Lattice Engine integrates with popular CI/CD platforms:

```yaml
# .github/workflows/lattice.yml
name: Lattice CI
on: [push, pull_request]
jobs:
test:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v2
- name: Run Lattice Tests
run: lattice test
- name: Lattice Code Review
run: lattice review
```

### Monitoring and Analytics

Track your AI-assisted development:

```bash
lattice analytics
lattice metrics
```

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

1. **Generation Fails**: Check your specification for clarity
2. **Code Quality**: Review and refine generated code
3. **Performance**: Monitor and optimize as needed
4. **Integration**: Ensure proper setup with your tools

### Getting Help

- Check our [documentation](https://docs.lattice.ai)
- Join our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/lattice)
- Review [example projects](https://github.com/lattice-ai/examples)

## Next Steps

Now that you've got the basics, explore:

- Advanced specification techniques
- Custom agent development
- Integration with your existing workflow
- Team collaboration features
- Enterprise deployment options

## Conclusion

Lattice Engine represents a new paradigm in software development, where AI agents work alongside developers to create better software faster. By mastering the concepts and practices outlined in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to leverage the power of agentic coding in your projects.

Remember that Lattice Engine is a tool that enhances rather than replaces human developers. The most successful implementations combine AI efficiency with human creativity and judgment.

Happy coding with Lattice Engine!