---
title: "Start"
canonical: "https://helm.docs.mindburn.org/start/overview"
source: "app-docs-platform/content/docs/start/index.md"
edit: "https://github.com/Mindburn-Labs/app-docs-platform/edit/main/content/docs/start/index.md"
section: "start"
access: "public"
sensitivity: "public"
last_reviewed: "2026-06-11"
checksum_sha256: "sha256:07cdd1be5b3d1816b6e4d1cbcba8ad811d6a3ee7fad797eb85d91bab6aad9377"
build_timestamp: "2026-06-10T22:15:26.620Z"
---
# Start

Install HELM, run a protected AI framework, inspect receipts, and verify the decision path.

```mermaid
flowchart LR
  install["Install CLI"] --> pair["Pair Console"]
  pair --> launch["Run protected framework"]
  launch --> receipts["Inspect signed receipts"]
  receipts --> verify["Verify EvidencePack"]
```

## Paths

| Path | Time | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Launchpad Quick Start](/start/launchpad) | ~5 min | Run a real framework through HELM's execution boundary, get signed receipts and an EvidencePack |
| [Kernel Boundary Demo](/helm-ai-kernel/quickstart) | ~10 min | Start the local HELM server, exercise the PEP boundary, inspect and verify individual receipts |

## Which Path Should You Choose

**Choose Launchpad** if you want to protect a real AI agent framework (OpenClaw, Hermes, OpenCode, Kilo Code) and see end-to-end governed execution with Console integration.

**Choose the Kernel Boundary Demo** if you want to understand HELM's execution boundary at the API level — intercepting tool calls, issuing verdicts, and verifying receipts directly.

Both paths produce signed receipts and offline-verifiable EvidencePacks. Launchpad wraps the Kernel boundary in a higher-level launch lifecycle with sandbox isolation, policy packs, and Console dashboards.

## Beyond the Kernel

The same boundary semantics scale up through the commercial surfaces:

- [HELM AI Individual](/helm-ai-enterprise/individual) — the solo-operator control plane around the Kernel.
- [HELM AI Enterprise](/helm-ai-enterprise/enterprise) — workspaces, approvals, retention, and certified connectors.
- [Company AI OS overview](/company-ai-os/overview) — the loop from company context to governed execution and closure evidence.

## Prerequisites

- macOS with Homebrew
- Docker Desktop (for Launchpad container substrates)
- A Mindburn Console account at `https://console.helm.mindburn.org`

## Source Truth

- Launchpad reference: `helm-ai-kernel/docs/LAUNCHPAD.md`
- Kernel quickstart: `helm-ai-kernel/docs/QUICKSTART.md`
- CLI binary: `helm-ai-kernel` / `helm`
- Install: `brew install mindburnlabs/tap/helm-ai-kernel`