Bito CLI provides a command-line interface for interacting with Bito AI chat functionality, aiming to support complex automation and workflows. It is targeted at developers and power users who want to integrate AI assistance directly into their terminal-based tasks. The primary benefit is enabling AI-powered code explanation, generation, and other development-related queries without leaving the command line.

How It Works

The CLI acts as a client to Bito's AI backend, allowing users to send prompts and receive responses directly in their terminal. It supports interactive chat sessions, non-interactive mode with file input/output, and context management for multi-turn conversations. A key feature is the integration of "slash commands" which allow direct interaction with code indexes created by Bito's IDE extensions, enabling AI queries on local codebases.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install (Recommended):
  • macOS/Linux: sudo curl https://alpha.bito.ai/downloads/cli/install.sh -fsSL | bash
  • Arch Linux: yay -S bito-cli or paru -S bito-cli
  • Homebrew: brew tap gitbito/bitocli then brew install bito-cli
  • Windows: Download MSI installer from https://alpha.bito.ai/downloads/cli/windows/BitoSetup.msi
• Prerequisites: Bash (macOS/Linux), CMD (Windows).
• Setup: Installation is typically quick.
• Docs: https://github.com/gitbito/CLI#readme

Highlighted Details

• Supports multi-line prompts and context persistence for non-interactive sessions.
• Slash commands enable querying local code indexes generated by Bito IDE extensions.
• Offers configuration for AI model selection (BASIC/ADVANCED) impacting prompt length and response quality.
• Supports output language customization.

Maintenance & Community

• The project is in "very early Alpha."
• Feedback is requested via email: founders@bito.ai or support@bito.ai.

Licensing & Compatibility

• Copyright (C) 2021, Bito Inc - All Rights Reserved. No specific open-source license is mentioned in the README, implying proprietary or restrictive licensing.

Limitations & Caveats

• This is an "early Alpha version," indicating potential instability and ongoing development.
• Users on Windows 10 or below may need to manually enable Unicode support (chcp 936).
• Mac users might encounter verification issues requiring manual steps. Windows users may see publisher verification warnings.
• The lack of a clear open-source license suggests potential restrictions on commercial use or redistribution.