Define a task

To start the agentic workflow, define a task. The quality of the result depends on how clearly you define the goal, what context you provide, and how you configure the agent run.

You define a task on the New Task page. The task's cloud environment doesn't exist yet, so there is no editor: what you set here is the prompt and how the agent runs it. The prompt already works with the selected repository, so you can reference its files and call its commands right away.

The New Task page with the repository and branch selectors above the task input, and the add, agent, model, and permission mode selectors and the send arrow below it

Define a task

Open https://air.jetbrains.cloud and click New Task.
Select what the agent works on: a repository and a branch, or an environment configuration.
A repository runs the task in the default cloud environment. An environment configuration runs it with that configuration's image, variables, secrets, and network access. To work on several repositories at once, click Select Multiple – see Run a task on several repositories.
Describe the goal in the task input.
Explain what you want to achieve and what done means. Mention important constraints, expected behavior, and any known failures or error messages.
Select an agent and model.
Under the task input, choose the agent in the agent selector, and the model and its effort level in the model selector. The agent is fixed once the task starts, so this is the point to get it right.
Learn more in Agents and models.
Select a permission mode.
Open the permission mode selector and choose how freely the agent can act in the task. If you want the agent to propose a plan before changing code, select Plan, if the agent offers it.
Learn more in Permission modes.
Add context.
Point the agent to the code it should use, so it does not have to guess:
- Type @ to reference a file or folder, a Git branch, or a Git commit.
- Type / to call one of the agent's commands or skills.
- Click and select Upload from Computer to attach a file from your machine, such as a log or a screenshot. The file appears in the task input, and the agent gets it with the prompt.
- Paste a minimal snippet that reproduces the issue.
If the menu asks you to connect your account instead of showing suggestions, connect the VCS provider. Learn more in Task context.
To give the agent tools beyond the repository, such as an issue tracker or a database, click and select Connector to add an MCP server as a connector. The item is unavailable if your organization's AI policy doesn't allow third-party connectors.
Check project instructions.
If the repository includes instruction files such as CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md, make sure they reflect how you want the agent to work. The agent reads them from the checkout.
Learn more in Project instructions.
Run the task.
Press Enter or click in the lower-right corner of the task input. The task appears in the task list, and opening it loads the Air Teams editor.
Learn more in Run a task.

06 November 2026