First Steps with Augment
Now that you have Augment installed, let's walk through the essential first steps to get you comfortable with file versioning. This guide will build your confidence step by step.
Before You Begin
Make sure you have Augment installed and running. If you need help with installation, check out our installation guide. This tutorial will take about 20 minutes and uses a hands-on approach.
Essential First Steps
Follow these steps in order to build a solid foundation with Augment.
Create Your First Space
Start with a small, important folder to get familiar with how Augment works.
Action Steps:
- 1Choose a folder with files you edit regularly (like Documents/Projects)
- 2Click "Create New Space" in Augment
- 3Give it a descriptive name like "My Documents"
- 4Watch as Augment begins protecting your files
Tip: Start small! Choose a folder with 10-50 files rather than your entire Documents folder.
Make Your First Edit
Edit a file in your protected space to see versioning in action.
Action Steps:
- 1Open any text file or document in your space
- 2Make a small change (add a sentence or modify text)
- 3Save the file normally (Cmd+S)
- 4Return to Augment to see the new version appear
Tip: Try this with a simple text file first - it's easier to see the changes.
Explore Version History
Learn how to view and navigate through your file versions.
Action Steps:
- 1Find the file you just edited in Augment
- 2Click on the file to see its version history
- 3Notice the timestamps and version numbers
- 4Try clicking on different versions to preview them
Tip: Each version is a complete snapshot - you can always go back to any previous state.
Preview and Compare
Use Augment's preview features to understand what changed.
Action Steps:
- 1Select two different versions of your file
- 2Use the "Compare" feature to see differences
- 3Try the preview mode to view file contents
- 4Notice how changes are highlighted
Tip: Comparison works best with text files, but preview works with most file types.
Practice File Recovery
Try restoring a previous version to build confidence.
Action Steps:
- 1Make another edit to your test file and save it
- 2In Augment, select an older version
- 3Click "Restore" to replace the current version
- 4Verify that the file has been restored successfully
Tip: Don't worry - Augment creates a backup before restoring, so you can always undo.
Adjust Your Settings
Customize Augment to match your workflow and preferences.
Action Steps:
- 1Open space settings for your test space
- 2Review storage limits and cleanup policies
- 3Adjust notification preferences
- 4Consider excluding file types you don't need versioned
Tip: The default settings work well for most users, but customization helps optimize performance.
Key Concepts to Remember
These fundamental concepts will help you use Augment effectively.
Understanding Spaces
Spaces are isolated protection zones. Each space has its own settings, storage limits, and version history.
Automatic vs Manual
Augment creates versions automatically when you save, but you can also create manual snapshots for important milestones.
Non-Destructive
Viewing and previewing versions never changes your files. Only "Restore" actually modifies your current file.
Ready for More?
Great job! You now understand the basics of Augment. Here are the logical next steps to expand your knowledge.
You're Off to a Great Start!
You now have the foundation to use Augment confidently. Remember, every file save creates a version, and you can always go back to any previous state. Your files are safer than ever!