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FAQ

Common questions about Maestro and how it works.

What Is Maestro?

What exactly is Maestro?

Maestro is a conversational AI Engineer that delivers from deep research to validated, production-ready code. It goes beyond code generation to handle planning, implementation, testing, documentation, and delivery of complete features and systems. Think of Maestro as an engineering teammate, not a coding tool.

How is Maestro different from GitHub Copilot or Cursor?

Summary: Copilot/Cursor are coding assistants. Maestro is an engineering partner.

Is Maestro a chatbot that writes code?

No. Maestro is a system that orchestrates multiple specialized models, execution environments, and validation tools to deliver complete solutions. Architecture:
  • Multiple LLMs, each optimized for specific tasks (research, coding, verification, optimization)
  • Secure sandboxes for testing and validation
  • Rich toolbox for file management, web research, visualization
  • Quality oversight and validation layers
You interact through conversation, but Maestro is executing complex orchestration underneath.

Can non-developers use Maestro?

Maestro is designed for technical professionals who understand:
  • Software requirements and architecture
  • Testing and validation concepts
  • Code quality and performance
Minimum technical literacy:
  • Understand what good code looks like
  • Recognize test failures
  • Evaluate performance metrics
  • Make technical trade-off decisions
If you’re not technical: Maestro may be overwhelming. It’s optimized for engineering professionals who know what they want but need help executing.

How Maestro Works

How does Maestro actually work?

Orchestration layer coordinates:
  1. Research models: Gather information, analyze approaches
  2. Planning models: Design systems, create specifications
  3. Implementation models: Write code, refactor, optimize
  4. Validation models: Review code, flag issues, ensure quality
Execution environment:
  • Isolated Ubuntu Linux sandboxes
  • Real code execution and testing
  • Performance benchmarking
  • Validation of claims
Toolbox:
  • File management and analysis
  • Terminal access and execution
  • Web research and browsing
  • Visualization and diagramming
  • External service integration
You collaborate by setting goals, reviewing proposals, validating outcomes, and maintaining quality standards.

Do I need to write any code?

No. Your role shifts from writing syntax to:
  • Defining goals and constraints
  • Making architectural decisions
  • Reviewing and validating implementations
  • Ensuring quality standards
  • Providing domain expertise
You guide, Maestro implements. However, you should understand code well enough to:
  • Review Maestro’s implementations
  • Spot logical errors
  • Validate test coverage
  • Make informed technical decisions

Does Maestro make mistakes?

Yes. Maestro is powerful but not infallible:
  • Can misunderstand requirements
  • May choose suboptimal approaches
  • Sometimes needs multiple attempts
  • Occasionally makes logical errors
Your job: Catch mistakes, provide correction, demand higher quality. Built-in safeguards:
  • Systematic testing
  • Multi-model validation
  • Quality oversight
  • Your review
Best practice: Treat Maestro’s output skeptically until proven with tests and validation.

Can Maestro learn from my feedback?

Within a session: Yes
  • Maestro incorporates feedback immediately
  • Adjusts approach based on corrections
  • Learns your preferences and patterns
  • Improves throughout the session
Across sessions: Limited
  • General knowledge doesn’t transfer between sessions
  • Each session starts fresh
  • But you can provide context via custom instructions
Your project patterns: Can be encoded as custom instructions that apply across sessions.

Use Cases and Capabilities

What kinds of projects can Maestro complete?

Software development:
  • REST APIs and web services
  • Full-stack applications
  • Database schemas and migrations
  • Authentication and authorization systems
  • Caching layers and performance optimization
  • Integration with third-party APIs
Data engineering:
  • ETL pipelines
  • Data transformation logic
  • Quality validation systems
  • Data analysis workflows
Machine learning:
  • Model training pipelines
  • Feature engineering
  • Inference services
  • ML model optimization
DevOps and infrastructure:
  • CI/CD pipeline configuration
  • Deployment automation
  • Infrastructure as Code
  • Monitoring and alerting
Analysis and research:
  • Competitive technical analysis
  • Performance benchmarking
  • Root cause investigation
  • Technology evaluation
Limitations: Maestro works best on projects that can be validated in sandboxes. Projects requiring specialized hardware, proprietary systems, or external dependencies may be challenging.

Can I use Maestro with my existing codebase?

Yes. Maestro supports:
  • GitHub integration: Clone any repository (public or private)
  • Direct upload: Zip or tar your codebase, Maestro extracts it
  • Gradual integration: Start with analysis, then implement changes
Best results with:
  • Well-tested codebases (Maestro preserves test behavior)
  • Clear documentation (helps Maestro understand)
  • Consistent patterns (easier to follow and extend)
Challenges with:
  • Poorly documented legacy code
  • No tests (hard to validate changes)
  • Highly coupled architecture
  • Unusual or proprietary frameworks
Recommendation: Even challenging codebases benefit, but expect more iteration and validation.

What if my codebase is too large for Maestro?

Current limit: Repositories up to ~10GB For larger codebases:
  • Clone subsets: Work on specific modules/services
  • Parallel sessions: Different parts in different sessions
  • Strategic cloning: Clone only what’s needed for current work
Future: Support for larger repositories is planned.

Can Maestro work with multiple repositories?

Yes. Common patterns: Microservices:
Monorepo subsystems:
Frontend + Backend:

Integration and Tooling

What tools and integrations are supported?

Source control:
  • GitHub (native integration)
  • GitLab (API access)
  • Bitbucket (git operations)
Cloud providers:
  • AWS (S3, EC2, Lambda, etc.)
  • Azure (Blob Storage, VMs, etc.)
  • GCP (Cloud Storage, Compute Engine, etc.)
Databases:
  • PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite
  • MongoDB, Redis, Memcached
  • Any database accessible via connection string
APIs and services:
  • OpenAI, Anthropic (AI APIs)
  • Stripe (payments)
  • SendGrid, Mailgun (email)
  • Custom REST/GraphQL APIs
Development tools:
  • Package managers (pip, npm, cargo, go get)
  • Test frameworks (pytest, jest, go test, etc.)
  • Build tools (webpack, vite, cargo, maven)
  • CI/CD (GitHub Actions compatible)
Browsers and web:
  • Automated browser control
  • Screenshot capture
  • Web scraping
  • Public URL access

Can I integrate Maestro with Slack/Discord/Teams?

Notifications: Yes, push notifications can integrate with messaging platforms. Chat integration: Multi-channel support is possible, but direct Slack/Discord bots require configuration beyond standard Maestro. Workaround: Use Maestro via web interface, share results in chat.

Can Maestro access private resources?

Yes, with proper credential setup:
  • Private GitHub repos: OAuth authentication
  • Private APIs: API keys via credential manager
  • Internal databases: Connection strings (ensure network access)
  • VPNs: SSH sandboxes can connect through jump hosts
Security: All credentials user-controlled, session-scoped, never logged.

Security and Privacy

Is Maestro secure?

Yes. Enterprise-grade security model: Isolation:
  • Dedicated sandbox per session
  • Process isolation between users
  • Credential isolation per session
Credentials:
  • Encrypted at rest
  • User-controlled activation
  • Never logged or shared
  • Automatic cleanup
Code execution:
  • Sandboxed Firecracker microVMs
  • No access to host system
  • Limited resource quotas
  • Network isolation options
Data handling:
  • Your code never used for training
  • Sessions completely isolated
  • Optional data persistence (you control)

Does Maestro learn from my code?

No. Maestro does not train on user data. What persists:
  • Your session state (if you choose to save it)
  • Files you create (in your session only)
  • Clone records (for your sessions only)
What doesn’t persist across sessions/users:
  • Code patterns you use
  • Architectural choices
  • Domain knowledge
  • Anything from your work
Privacy guarantee: Your data is private. Each session is isolated.

Can other users see my code?

No. Complete isolation:
  • Sessions are private to your account
  • Other users cannot access your sessions
  • Other users cannot see your files
  • Other users cannot view your history
Collaboration: Explicitly share session access if needed (enterprise features).

What happens to my data if I cancel my subscription?

Depends on data persistence settings:
  • Checkpointed sessions: Preserved per retention policy (typically 30-90 days)
  • Deleted sessions: Immediate removal on request
  • Exported files: You keep what you downloaded
Best practice: Use /download-all before cancelling to preserve your work.

Billing and Plans

How much does Maestro cost?

Pricing model: Monthly subscription with credit-based usage Plan tiers (example structure):
  • Basic: $X/month + Y credits
  • Pro: $X/month + Y credits
  • Ultimate: $X/month + Y credits
Credits cover:
  • Model API calls (passed through at cost, no markup)
  • Sandbox compute time
  • Storage (files and checkpoints)
Visit: https://igent.ai/ for current pricing

How do credits work?

Credit consumption:
  • Different models cost different amounts
  • Longer responses cost more (more tokens)
  • Sandbox execution time counted
  • Storage and bandwidth included up to limits
Credit management:
  • Track balance in UI
  • Low balance warnings
  • /topup command for quick refill
  • Optional auto-reload (configure in settings)
No surprises:
  • Real-time credit usage shown
  • Warnings before large operations
  • Control credit consumption via session management

Do I need my own OpenAI/Anthropic accounts?

No. Maestro handles all model calls:
  • We manage API accounts
  • We orchestrate model calls
  • We pass through costs to your credits
  • No markup: You pay model cost + platform fee
Advantage: No need to manage multiple API accounts, rate limits, or billing.

Can I control costs?

Yes, several ways: Session management:
  • Shorter sessions cost less
  • /compact and /forget reduce ongoing costs
  • /refresh reduces token usage per turn
Tool selection:
  • Disable expensive tools if not needed
  • Use faster tools when appropriate (Google vs Perplexity)
  • Limit sandbox usage for non-execution tasks
Model selection (if configurable):
  • Use cheaper models for simple tasks
  • Use premium models for complex reasoning
Auto-reload threshold:
  • Set maximum auto-reload amount
  • Prevent runaway costs
  • Manual approval for large expenses

Session and State

How long can sessions run?

Technically: Days to weeks
  • Sessions checkpoint automatically
  • Resumable across long periods
  • Context preserved
Practically: Most sessions complete in hours
  • Complex projects: Multiple focused sessions better than one massive session
  • Capacity management: Easier with bounded sessions
  • Checkpointing: Natural session boundaries
Record: Some users have single sessions spanning 100+ turns over multiple days.

Can I have multiple sessions?

Yes. Parallel sessions are common: Use cases:
  • Different features in parallel
  • Separate concerns (frontend vs backend)
  • Experimental vs production work
  • Personal vs work projects
Isolation: Sessions are completely independent.

What happens if my browser crashes?

Session state preserved:
  • Automatic checkpointing saves state
  • Refresh browser to reload session
  • Complete history restored
  • Work continues from where you left off
Sandbox state:
  • Running processes continue
  • Files preserved
  • Terminal state maintained
Interruption-safe: Maestro designed for this.

Can I access my session from different devices?

Yes. Multi-device support:
  • Same session on desktop, laptop, tablet, phone
  • Synchronized state across all devices
  • Answer asks from any device
  • Real-time updates
Use case: Start on desktop, check progress on phone, resume on laptop.

Performance and Scale

How fast is Maestro?

Varies by task:
  • Simple code generation: Seconds
  • Complex feature implementation: Minutes to hours
  • Research and analysis: Seconds to minutes
  • Test execution: Depends on your tests
Factors:
  • Model latency (inherent to LLMs)
  • Sandbox execution time (real code takes real time)
  • Validation thoroughness (quality over speed)
Optimization: Maestro prioritizes correctness over speed. Fast but wrong is useless.

Can Maestro handle large codebases?

Current capabilities:
  • Repositories up to ~10GB
  • Thousands of files
  • Complex architectures
Context management:
  • View files selectively
  • Use file search and analysis
  • Pattern-based operations
Best results:
  • Well-structured codebases
  • Clear module boundaries
  • Good documentation
If very large: Consider subsystem-focused sessions.

What are Maestro’s limits?

Technical limits:
  • Repository size: ~10GB
  • Session capacity: Token-based (manage via commands)
  • Sandbox resources: 2 vCPU, 7 GB RAM default
  • Public ports: Port 8080 only
  • GPU: Not yet available
Practical limits:
  • Works best on validatable projects
  • Requires testable implementations
  • Benefits from clear requirements
  • Best with existing test infrastructure
Not limits:
  • Number of sessions
  • Session duration
  • Complexity of problems
  • Number of tools used

Working with Maestro

When should I use Maestro vs writing code myself?

Use Maestro when:
  • Implementing complete features (not tiny changes)
  • Need systematic validation (comprehensive testing)
  • Working across many files
  • Tackling unfamiliar domains
  • Want evidence-driven development
  • Speed matters (weeks → days compression)
Use your IDE when:
  • Trivial changes (button color, typo fix)
  • You already know exact implementation
  • Rapid experimentation (trying something quickly)
  • Preference for hands-on coding
Hybrid approach: Many users use both—Maestro for heavy lifting, IDE for final polish.

How much should I guide vs let Maestro decide?

Depends on:
  • Your experience with Maestro
  • Complexity of problem
  • Familiarity with domain
  • Risk tolerance
General guideline:
  • Set goals clearly (what success looks like)
  • Define constraints (what must/must not happen)
  • Let Maestro propose approaches (leverage its knowledge)
  • Validate thoroughly (evidence required)
Over time: You’ll develop intuition for when to intervene vs delegate.

What if Maestro goes off track?

Immediate correction:
Maestro will:
  • Acknowledge the correction
  • Adjust approach
  • Continue with new understanding
Prevention:
  • Correct misunderstandings early
  • Provide clear constraints upfront
  • Validate at milestones, not just end

Can Maestro work without internet?

No. Maestro requires internet for:
  • Model API calls (core functionality)
  • Sandbox connectivity
  • Web research tools
  • External service integration
Offline work: Not supported currently.

Data and Privacy

Where is my code stored?

During session:
  • In your session state (cloud-hosted)
  • In sandbox (temporary, isolated)
  • Checkpoints (if persistence enabled)
After session:
  • Checkpoints preserved per retention policy
  • Or immediately deleted (your choice)
  • Downloaded files on your machine
Security:
  • Encrypted in transit and at rest
  • Access controlled
  • Isolated per user

Can I delete my data?

Yes. Data deletion:
  • Delete individual sessions
  • Clear all session data
  • Remove checkpoints
  • Request complete account data deletion
Immediate effect: Data removed from active systems. Backups: May persist in backups for limited time per retention policy.

Is my session visible to iGent AI staff?

Normal operation: No
  • Automated systems only
  • No human access to session content
Support requests: Only with your permission
  • If you request support
  • With explicit consent
  • Limited to debugging specific issue
Monitoring: Aggregate metrics only (no content)

Billing and Costs

How are credits charged?

Usage-based charges:
  • Model API calls (varies by model)
  • Sandbox compute time
  • Storage and bandwidth
Factors affecting cost:
  • Session length (more turns = more cost)
  • Model choice (some models more expensive)
  • Sandbox usage (execution time)
  • File storage size
Optimization:
  • Manage capacity to reduce token usage
  • Use appropriate models for tasks
  • Minimize unnecessary sandbox operations

What if I run out of credits mid-session?

Low balance warning: Notification before credits exhausted Options:
  1. /topup command for quick credit purchase
  2. Auto-reload (if configured) purchases credits automatically
  3. Pause session until credits added
Session preservation: Session state saved even if credits depleted

Can I get refunds for unused credits?

Policies vary: Check current terms at https://igent.ai/ Typical policies:
  • Subscription fees: Subject to cancellation policy
  • Unused credits: May or may not roll over (plan-dependent)
  • Refunds: Per terms of service
Recommendation: Review billing policies before subscribing.

Technical Questions

What programming languages does Maestro support?

Fully supported (with syntax highlighting, tools, validation):
  • Python
  • JavaScript/TypeScript
  • Go
  • Rust
  • Java/Kotlin
  • C/C++
  • Ruby
  • PHP
  • Shell scripting
Also works with:
  • Virtually any text-based language
  • Configuration formats (YAML, JSON, TOML, XML)
  • Markdown, HTML, CSS
  • SQL, query languages
Limitation: Language-specific IDE features (linting, autocomplete) are in sandbox, not UI.

Does Maestro support frameworks like React, Django, FastAPI?

Yes. Maestro has deep knowledge of major frameworks:
  • Frontend: React, Vue, Angular, Next.js, Svelte
  • Backend: Django, FastAPI, Express, Gin, Actix
  • Full-stack: Next.js, Nuxt, SvelteKit
  • Mobile: React Native, Flutter (code generation)
  • Data: Pandas, NumPy, PyTorch, TensorFlow
Framework-specific knowledge:
  • Idioms and best practices
  • Common patterns
  • Testing approaches
  • Performance optimization
  • Security considerations

Can Maestro help with mobile development?

Yes, for code generation and logic:
  • React Native (JavaScript/TypeScript)
  • Flutter (Dart)
  • SwiftUI/UIKit (Swift)
  • Jetpack Compose (Kotlin)
Limitations:
  • No mobile device emulator in sandbox
  • Cannot test iOS apps (requires macOS)
  • Android testing possible but limited
Best use cases:
  • Business logic implementation
  • API client code
  • State management
  • Unit tests
UI testing: Use external emulators or devices.

Does Maestro work with databases?

Yes. Database operations:
  • Schema design
  • Migration scripts
  • Query optimization
  • ORM integration (SQLAlchemy, Prisma, etc.)
Testing:
  • Local PostgreSQL/MySQL in sandbox
  • SQLite for testing
  • Can connect to external databases with credentials
Example:

Comparison to Other Tools

Maestro vs Cursor

Cursor:
  • IDE extension
  • Real-time autocomplete
  • Fast inline suggestions
  • Works with your editor
Maestro:
  • Complete implementation partner
  • Autonomous execution and validation
  • Handles entire features
  • Includes testing and benchmarking
Use together: Cursor for inline editing, Maestro for feature implementation.

Maestro vs ChatGPT/Claude

ChatGPT/Claude:
  • General-purpose chatbots
  • Code generation via conversation
  • No execution environment
  • No validation
  • You copy/paste code
Maestro:
  • Specialized engineering system
  • Orchestrates multiple models
  • Executes and tests code
  • Validates all claims
  • Delivers tested, working code
Difference: Maestro proves code works, not just generates it.

Maestro vs Replit/Glitch

Replit/Glitch:
  • Browser-based IDEs
  • Good for prototyping
  • You write the code
  • Instant deployment
Maestro:
  • AI writes the code
  • Comprehensive testing
  • Production-ready output
  • Validation-first approach
Overlap: Both provide execution environments. Difference is who writes the code and to what standard.

Getting Help

I’m stuck. What should I do?

In order:
  1. Ask Maestro: “I’m stuck with [X]. How should I proceed?”
  2. Check documentation: Search for relevant topic
  3. Try different approach: “Let’s try a different way”
  4. Use commands: /reset-sandbox, /forget, /refresh
  5. Start fresh: New session with lesson learned
  6. Contact support: support@igent.ai
Usually: Maestro can help you get unstuck by reformulating the problem.

Something isn’t working as documented

First: Verify you’re following documentation correctly Then: Report the issue:
  • What documentation says
  • What actually happened
  • Steps to reproduce
  • Session ID if relevant
Where: Support email or appropriate feedback channel

I have a feature request

We want to hear it:
  • Email: support@igent.ai
  • Include use case and benefit
  • Explain why current features don’t solve it
Priorities driven by:
  • User demand
  • Strategic value
  • Technical feasibility
  • Resource availability

Is there a community?

Current channels: Check https://igent.ai/ for:
  • Community forums
  • Discord server
  • Office hours
  • User groups
Contribute:
  • Share workflows and patterns
  • Provide feedback
  • Request features
  • Help other users

Next Steps

Questions answered? Explore: