Getting started

To install API Agent, download and install the Visual Studio Code plug-in. Then, you can log in to API Agent in Visual Studio Code using the URL for API Connect.

Before you begin

Ensure that the following tools are installed on your system:
  • Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
  • Homebrew
  • Python
  • PostgresSQL

Installing API Agent

To download the Visual Studio Code plug-in for API Agent, complete the following steps:
  1. Log in to API Manager.
  2. On the API Manager home page, click Tools for download in the More section.
  3. In the Tools for download window, click the API Agent tab.
  4. Click Download next to the Step 1: Download Visual Studio Code plug-in for API Agent.
    Note: Downloading the .vsix file might take a few minutes.
  5. Open Visual Studio Code.
  6. In the left panel, open Extensions.
  7. Click the Views and More Actions icon (...), and select Install from VSIX.
  8. Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the plug-in, and select the api-assistant-vscode-plugin-0.0.1-<build_number>.vsix file, and then click Install. You can view the API Agent icon on the left panel.

  9. To upgrade the API Agent plug-in, repeat steps 1-8 and install the latest .vsix file.
    Note: Ensure that the .vsix file is the latest version.

Logging in to API Agent

To log in to API Agent, complete the following steps:
  1. Open Visual Studio Code.
  2. Click the API Agent icon.
  3. In the HOST URL field, enter the following URL and then click Log in: 
    https://api-manager.us-east-a.apiconnect.automation.ibm.com
  4. Click Allow to sign in and then select Open when prompted.
  5. On the browser, if you are not automatically redirected, select use this link and then in the Visual Studio Code, click Open.
  6. Select a Provider organization, and click Continue.

  7. Create a new folder in your system such as api-assistant-workspace. From the menu in Visual Studio Code, click File > Open Folder to open the folder. It automatically creates a workspace within that folder.

  8. To start a new chat session or to logout, click the IBM API Agent menu and select one of the following options:
    New chat
    Starts a new chat session. In this public preview, previous chat sessions are not accessible. For more details, see Limitations.
    Logout
    Logout from API Agent.
  9. To view the host URL and organization information, in the upper-right corner of the screen, select your organization, for example, provider org. In this public preview, you can only view the host URL and organization information in the Settings section. You cannot edit.