Getting Started
Kitten is a fast, local-first API client. This guide covers the essential shortcuts, bringing your collections over, and where to go next.
1. Install Kitten
Download a build from the download page, then follow the notes for your platform:
2. Open or Import a Collection
Kitten stores collections as plain files on your machine. Open a folder that already holds one with Ctrl+O, or import from another client with Ctrl+Shift+I.
Already using Postman, Bruno, Insomnia or Yaak? Import Data brings everything over in one click.
Imports read Postman collections and environments, Bruno folders and exports, Insomnia v4 and v5 exports, and Yaak workspace exports. The import report lists anything that needed attention.
3. Learn the Essential Shortcuts
Kitten's shortcuts use the Control key on every platform, including macOS. On a Mac, press Control (not Command), and use Option wherever a shortcut says Alt.
| Action | Windows and Linux | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| New request | Ctrl+N | Control+N |
| Send request | F5 | F5 |
| Focus the URL bar | Ctrl+L | Control+L |
| Save | Ctrl+S | Control+S |
| Search the sidebar | Ctrl+Shift+F | Control+Shift+F |
| Search everywhere | Ctrl+Alt+W | Control+Option+W |
| Edit environment | Ctrl+Alt+E | Control+Option+E |
| Toggle sidebar | Ctrl+B | Control+B |
| Reopen closed tab | Ctrl+Shift+T | Control+Shift+T |
| Open preferences | Ctrl+, | Control+, |
4. Configure Kitten
Open preferences with Ctrl+,. Common first changes:
- Theme: press Ctrl+T to open the theme picker, or install more from Zed's extensions. See Themes.
- Layout: press Ctrl+J to change the request layout.
5. Sync With Git
Collections sync through your own git remote; there is no Kitten account. Open the Git panel with Ctrl+Shift+G to stage, commit and push changes to a collection. See Collection Git.
6. Port Your Scripts
Pre-request scripts and tests are translated to Rhai on import. If you are coming from Postman or Bruno, start with the side-by-side tables: