> For the index of every page in Orbital's docs, read https://docs.runorbital.dev/llms.txt.

# Start a run

> Give a project a goal, pick a workflow and start a run

You start a [run](/runs/) from the Start page: you pick a project, write a goal and choose a workflow. The run then carries out that one workflow for that one project, towards that goal.

## Before you start

You need a [project](/projects/create-a-project/) and a [harness](/harnesses/) that is set up. A run whose harness is missing stops and waits on you.

## Start a run from the app

1. **Open the Start page.**

   Choose **New task** in the sidebar.

2. **Check the project.**

   The project shows at the top. Choose it to pick another, or press ⌘K.

3. **Leave the switch on Workflow.**

   The switch sits under the text box. Set to **Chat**, it starts a [chat](/chats/) instead.

4. **Write the goal.**

   In the text box that reads "Describe what the run should achieve", type what the run should achieve.

5. **Choose a workflow and fill in its inputs.**

   The workflow dropdown lists every workflow the project offers, with its description, and starts on the project's default or the one it ran last. If the workflow has inputs, fill them in. For example, `implement-ticket` asks for a "Ticket URL".

6. **Pick a preset, if you want.**

   The preset picker starts on the preset in use, which follows your settings: if you switch the preset in use later, the run moves with it. Choose another style to pin the run to it, so every step uses that style's harness, model and effort until the run ends. A setting the workflow already gives a step, through the step's own keys, its style, its group or the workflow's `style`, wins over the run's preset.

7. **Choose Start run.**

![The Start page asking what to do in a project, with the goal box, the preset picker, the workflow picker and the Chat and Workflow switch.](/screenshots/start-page.webp?v=7454bfb8bf)

*The goal box, with the style and workflow pickers beneath it.*

## If you choose no workflow

The run uses the workflow the project ran last. If the project has never run one, it uses the **Default workflow** in [Settings](/reference/settings/#general).

## What happens next

The new run joins the [queue](/runs/queue/) and starts when a run slot is free. Follow it on the [run page](/runs/watch-a-run/).

## Other ways to start a run

You can also start a run without opening the app.

| From | How |
| --- | --- |
| A terminal | [`orbital run start`](/reference/command/#orbital-run-start) |
| A coding agent | Over [MCP](/mcp/connect/) |
| An event or a schedule | A [trigger](/triggers/) |

## Related

- [Runs](/runs/): what a run is and the standings it moves through.
- [Watch a run](/runs/watch-a-run/): follow the run you started.
- [The run queue](/runs/queue/): when a queued run starts.
- [Permissions](/styles/#permissions): what a run asks you before its agent acts, on each harness.
- [Start your first run](/get-started/first-run/): a guided first run for new users.