Summary

Zero is a local terminal AI coding agent designed for users who require full control over their AI models, execution environment, and data privacy. It empowers developers and researchers by enabling local repository inspection, file editing, and command execution under user-defined permissions, offering a secure and customizable alternative to cloud-based AI assistants.

How It Works

Zero operates as a local AI agent, processing tasks directly on the user's machine. Its core architecture supports a wide array of AI models via pluggable providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, etc.) and endpoints. A key differentiator is its robust permission and sandboxing system, which meticulously gates file writes, shell commands, and network access, allowing granular control and preventing unauthorized actions. Sessions are persisted locally, ensuring context is maintained and data remains private.

Quick Start & Requirements

Installation is straightforward via npm (npm install -g @gitlawb/zero) or platform-specific install scripts (curl ... | bash or irm ... | iex). Source builds require Go 1.25+. Supported platforms include Linux, macOS, and Windows (x64, arm64). API keys are necessary for cloud-based models. Detailed installation instructions are available in docs/INSTALL.md.

Highlighted Details

• Model Agnosticism: Integrates with numerous LLM providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Groq, Ollama, LM Studio, and compatible endpoints.
• Granular Permissions: Fine-grained control over file writes, shell commands, and network access, with options to grant specific directory write permissions (/add-dir).
• Local & Private Sessions: All session context, history, and state are stored locally on disk, ensuring data privacy and enabling resumable workflows.
• Dual Interface: Supports both an interactive Terminal UI (TUI) with features like model/provider pickers and live plan rendering, and a scriptable headless exec mode for automation and CI integration.
• Extensibility: Features support for MCP servers, custom skills, plugins, hooks, and specialist subagents.

Maintenance & Community

The repository includes contribution guidelines (CONTRIBUTING.md) and security reporting procedures (SECURITY.md). Specific details regarding active maintainers, community channels (e.g., Discord, Slack), or project sponsorships were not explicitly detailed in the provided README text.

Licensing & Compatibility

Zero is released under the permissive MIT License. This license generally allows for broad compatibility, including commercial use and integration within closed-source projects without significant restrictions.

Limitations & Caveats

Users opting for source builds must have Go 1.25+ installed and may need to manually build sandboxing helper binaries on certain platforms (e.g., Linux). Installation via Bun requires specific workarounds due to its handling of postinstall scripts. The README does not specify stability guarantees or versioning information, suggesting potential for ongoing development.