APL 1 · Zero Setup
Zero Setup
Browser-based chat. No installation, no configuration, no file access.
Overview
APL1 is the starting point. You talk to an AI assistant through a browser. It cannot touch your files, your code, or your system. The risk is low - but so is the leverage.
What This Level Is
Zero Setup means exactly that - no software to install, no terminal to open, no API keys to manage. You open a browser tab, type a message, and get a response. This is how most people first interact with an AI assistant.
Tools at This Level
- ChatGPT - OpenAI's chat interface
- Claude.ai - Anthropic's conversational assistant
- Gemini Chat - Google's AI assistant (chat interface)
- Grok - xAI's AI assistant
- DeepSeek Chat - DeepSeek's chat interface (same model via Cline = APL3)
- Minimax Chat - Minimax AI chat interface
- z.ai - Zhipu AI's chat interface (GLM models)
- Perplexity - AI-powered search with citations
- Lovable / Bolt.new - Browser-based app builders (no local setup)
What You Can Do
- Ask questions and get explanations
- Generate text, emails, outlines
- Brainstorm ideas and get feedback
- Copy-paste code snippets for review
- Learn concepts through conversation
What You Cannot Do
- Edit files directly - you copy/paste manually
- Access your codebase - the assistant has no context about your project
- Run commands - there is no terminal connection
- Automate anything - every interaction requires manual effort
APL1 is the safest level because the assistant has no access to anything outside the chat. But there are still considerations:
Risks at APL1
- Data leakage: What you paste into the chat may be used for training (check provider policies)
- Over-reliance: Trusting output without verification
- Stagnation: Staying at APL1 when your needs have outgrown it
When to Move Up
If you are spending more time copy-pasting between your editor and a chat window than actually building, it is time to look at APL2: Light Setup.