ChatGPT CLI: A User-Friendly Guide
Introduction
ChatGPT CLI is a versatile command-line tool designed to facilitate seamless interactions with ChatGPT models. It is compatible with the models developed by OpenAI and Azure, as well as Perplexity AI and Llama. This tool is not only user-friendly but also packed with features that enhance the user experience, making it possible to engage with advanced AI models directly from the command line.
Key Features
Streaming and Interactive Modes: ChatGPT CLI offers both real-time and conversational interaction modes with AI models. Streaming mode provides real-time interaction, while interactive mode allows for back-and-forth conversations similar to chatting on a website.
Thread-Based Context Management and Sliding Window History: Each chat thread maintains its own history, ensuring relevant and coherent responses across different sessions. Moreover, the tool manages token limits by automatically trimming chat history, preserving important context for the conversation.
Custom Context and Models: Users can customize the context by providing additional information from files or other sources to tailor conversations to specific needs. The tool also allows users to list available models and active threads for seamless transitioning between different tasks.
Advanced Configuration Options: ChatGPT CLI supports a sophisticated configuration system. Users can set preferences through a config file, environment variables, or command-line flags, with the ability to quickly adjust settings for various scenarios.
Prompt Support: This feature lets users define a starting context for their chats through a prompt file. Introduced in version 1.7.1, this allows for richer conversations by reusing detailed instructions across multiple chats.
Installation
For macOS Users: ChatGPT CLI can be easily installed using the Homebrew package manager with the command:
brew tap kardolus/chatgpt-cli && brew install chatgpt-cli
Direct Download: For those on other operating systems, the CLI offers pre-built binaries for various systems, such as macOS, Linux, and Windows. These can be directly downloaded and configured to run seamlessly.
Getting Started
To get started, users should set their OpenAI API key as an environment variable, make directories for history tracking, and explore the command-line tool by asking questions like "What is the capital of the Netherlands?" Interactive features can be accessed with flags, and users can easily pipe context from text files to the AI for more nuanced responses.
Configuration
ChatGPT CLI employs a four-tier configuration strategy, prioritizing command-line flags over environment variables, config files, and defaults. This flexibility allows users to customize their experience according to individual needs, from setting different prompt commands to adjusting model-specific configurations such as temperature and token limits.
Custom Directories and Environment Variables
Users can choose custom directories for storing configurations and histories by setting specific environment variables, allowing for a tailored and organized setup that suits personal preferences and keeps ChatGPT CLI operations tidy and efficient.
Azure and Perplexity Configurations
For users utilizing Azure or Perplexity services, configurations are available to integrate these platforms seamlessly, ensuring the CLI can operate within broader AI ecosystems and API environments.
Command-Line Autocompletion
To improve the user experience, ChatGPT CLI provides autocompletion for various command flags across supported shells (Bash, Zsh, Fish, and PowerShell). This feature can be activated for the current session or configured to persist across all shell sessions, streamlining the process of interacting with the CLI.
Conclusion
ChatGPT CLI stands out as a robust and adaptable tool for anyone looking to leverage the power of ChatGPT models directly from the command line. Its array of features - from real-time streaming to interactive modes, support for custom contexts, and detailed configuration options - make it an indispensable asset for developers and tech enthusiasts alike.