> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mutual-dissent.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Install Mutual Dissent and run your first multi-model debate in under 5 minutes

## Install

```bash theme={null}
pip install mutual-dissent
```

Or from source:

```bash theme={null}
git clone https://github.com/richardspicer/mutual-dissent.git
cd mutual-dissent
uv sync
```

## Configure an API Key

Mutual Dissent routes all models through [OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai) by default. Set your key:

```bash theme={null}
export OPENROUTER_API_KEY=sk-or-...
```

Or add it to `~/.mutual-dissent/config.toml`:

```toml theme={null}
[providers]
openrouter_api_key = "sk-or-..."
```

Verify your setup:

```bash theme={null}
dissent config test
```

## Run Your First Debate

```bash theme={null}
dissent ask "What are the security implications of MCP tool poisoning?"
```

Mutual Dissent fans out to Claude Opus, GPT, Gemini, Grok, and Nemotron, runs one reflection round, and prints the synthesized answer.

## Customize the Panel

```bash theme={null}
# Two-model debate with extra reflection
dissent ask "Is Rust safer than C?" --panel claude,gpt --rounds 2

# Different synthesizer
dissent ask "Explain zero-knowledge proofs" --synthesizer gemini

# Show all rounds, not just synthesis
dissent ask "Compare REST vs GraphQL" --verbose
```

## Browse Saved Transcripts

Every debate is saved to `~/.mutual-dissent/transcripts/` automatically.

```bash theme={null}
dissent list              # Show recent transcripts
dissent show abcd1234     # View a specific transcript by ID prefix
dissent replay abcd1234   # Re-synthesize with a different model
```

## Next Steps

* [Core Concepts](/concepts) — understand panels, rounds, and synthesis
* [CLI Reference](/cli/ask) — full flag documentation
* [Configuration](/config/providers) — direct vendor APIs, routing, and defaults