> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hex-rays.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hex-rays.com/add-ons/assist.md).

# Assist

An AI agent for reverse engineering, built directly into IDA.

Assist makes every reverse engineer more productive without ever leaving IDA. Included with IDA Home and IDA Pro at no additional cost, it thinks like a reverse engineer rather than a generic chatbot, combines IDA's own analysis engines with a model of your choice, and proposes every change for you to review and approve.

{% hint style="info" icon="desktop-arrow-down" %}

## Quick install with HCLI

Install Assist with [HCLI](https://hcli.docs.hex-rays.com/):

```bash
hcli login
hcli plugin install hexrays/assist
```

Check [Getting Started](/add-ons/assist/getting-started.md) for a complete walkthrough.
{% endhint %}

## Why Assist

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><i class="fa-magnifying-glass">:magnifying-glass:</i></td><td><p><strong>Real AI harness, not a chatbot</strong></p><p>Assist steers general-purpose models with IDA's own deterministic tools.</p></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/overview.md#what-the-agent-can-do">Overview</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-eye">:eye:</i></td><td><p><strong>Transparent, human-in-the-loop</strong></p><p>Every action is visible, and nothing changes your IDB without your approval.</p></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/concepts/permissions-and-privacy.md">Permissions &amp; Privacy</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-robot">:robot:</i></td><td><p><strong>Any model you choose</strong></p><p>Bring your ChatGPT, Grok, Claude Code or Antigravity CLI subscription, or 170+ presets across cloud, gateway and local providers.</p></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/overview.md#agent-backends">Overview</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-microchip">:microchip:</i></td><td><p><strong>Runs what's hidden</strong></p><p>Emulates functions and whole processes in an isolated engine, to recover what static analysis can't see.</p></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/concepts/emulation.md">Emulation</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-anchor">:anchor:</i></td><td><p><strong>Grounded in evidence</strong></p><p>Triage findings are saved only when backed by a concrete anchor in the database.</p></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/concepts/tools-and-actions.md#grounding-evidence-over-guesses">Tools &amp; Actions</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-book">:book:</i></td><td><p><strong>Built-in RE methodology</strong></p><p>The built-in agent follows a system prompt crafted for binary analysis.</p></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/concepts/tools-and-actions.md#the-built-in-re-methodology">Tools &amp; Actions</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Basic Resources

See an overview of Assist features, or check how to get it up and running in minutes.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><h3>Overview</h3></td><td>See how Assist reverse engineers alongside you, and why it's not just a chatbot.</td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/overview.md">Overview</a></td><td><a href="https://492083732-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFP6ibt8r6WPBHTqekG9u%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3786e6c7affb2974ea9462ab80466140b659463a%2Forange-fxlab-801x500%20(3)%201.png?alt=media">orange-fxlab-801x500 (3) 1.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Getting Started</h3></td><td>Check how to quickly install Assist with HCLI and set it up with the installation wizard.</td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/getting-started.md">Getting Started</a></td><td><a href="https://492083732-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFP6ibt8r6WPBHTqekG9u%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3786e6c7affb2974ea9462ab80466140b659463a%2Forange-fxlab-801x500%20(3)%201.png?alt=media">orange-fxlab-801x500 (3) 1.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Reference</h3></td><td>Requirements &#x26; support, settings &#x26; commands, tool catalog, diagnostics &#x26; data storage, and glossary.</td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/reference.md">Reference</a></td><td><a href="https://492083732-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFP6ibt8r6WPBHTqekG9u%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3786e6c7affb2974ea9462ab80466140b659463a%2Forange-fxlab-801x500%20(3)%201.png?alt=media">orange-fxlab-801x500 (3) 1.png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Going deeper

Assist comes with its own set of concepts, but you're not on your own: it also ships with an integrated guide to help you find your way around.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th><select><option value="a79pwlYQRSuA" label="How it captures what you figured out" color="blue"></option><option value="SD1G7DeZ5tZp" label="Remembering what you find out" color="blue"></option><option value="bhrcSKPxJA0j" label="Integrated user guide at hand" color="blue"></option><option value="CB9DtGOWabZd" label="Owning the approval" color="blue"></option><option value="LCnkIzliMgOI" label="Finding options and guidance" color="blue"></option><option value="mEsHlInKdB01" label="Linking your open databases" color="blue"></option><option value="eMuLaTeRuN02" label="Running code safely" color="blue"></option><option value="tOoLsAcTn003" label="Knowing what Assist can do" color="blue"></option></select></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><span data-option="SD1G7DeZ5tZp">Remembering what you find out</span></td><td><h3>Memory</h3></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/concepts/memory.md">Memory</a></td></tr><tr><td><span data-option="mEsHlInKdB01">Linking your open databases</span></td><td><h3>Assist Mesh</h3></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/concepts/mesh.md">Assist Mesh</a></td></tr><tr><td><span data-option="eMuLaTeRuN02">Running code safely</span></td><td><h3>Emulation</h3></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/concepts/emulation.md">Emulation</a></td></tr><tr><td><span data-option="CB9DtGOWabZd">Owning the approval</span></td><td><h3>Permissions &#x26; Privacy</h3></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/concepts/permissions-and-privacy.md">Permissions &amp; Privacy</a></td></tr><tr><td><span data-option="LCnkIzliMgOI">Finding options and guidance</span></td><td><h3>Settings &#x26; Guide</h3></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/concepts/settings.md">Settings</a></td></tr><tr><td><span data-option="tOoLsAcTn003">Knowing what Assist can do</span></td><td><h3>Tools &#x26; Actions</h3></td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/concepts/tools-and-actions.md">Tools &amp; Actions</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Try it yourself

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Solve a crackme with Assist</strong></td><td>Reverse a crackme's custom bytecode VM: Assist decodes the instruction set, recovers the password, and confirms it by emulation</td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/how-tos/solve-crackme-with-assist.md">Solve a crackme with Assist</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Parallel execution across multiple instances with Assist MCP</strong></td><td>Connect Claude Code to Assist and follow one check through an executable and its libraries, querying every linked database in parallel</td><td><a href="/add-ons/assist/how-tos/parallel-execution-with-assist-mcp.md">Parallel execution across multiple instances with Assist MCP</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# Agent Instructions
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