AI Gist CLI
A CLI for the AI Gist prompt manager: an agent creates, reads and fills variable templates in the local database from the terminal
- 915 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- AGPL-3.0
Minimal access
Why this level
- The CLI reads and changes only your prompts and categories in the local app and sends no data outside.
Install
- Works in
Manual install
Clone `https://github.com/yarin-zhang/AI-Gist`, install dependencies with `yarn install` and check the link with `node bin/ai-gist.js status`. If there is no link, ask me to turn on local CLI in the app settings.
Access and checks
How we reviewMinimal accessThe tool runs nothing and makes no network calls.
- The CLI reads and changes only your prompts and categories in the local app and sends no data outside.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
AI Gist is an app for storing prompts with variables and Jinja templates that runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Its data lives only inside the running app, so the repository ships an `ai-gist` command for agents (the `bin/ai-gist.js` file). Through it an agent or script creates, reads, edits and fills prompts and categories without touching the IndexedDB database directly. The command talks to a running copy of the app over a local token-authenticated connection. It is off by default and is turned on once in the settings under local CLI. `ai-gist status` checks the link, and `ai-gist --help` with subcommand help covers the rest. There are `prompt`, `category` and `stats` groups, and a `--json` flag is added for machine parsing. The main workflow is called "挖空", turning plain text into a template. You write `{{name}}` in a prompt, `ai-gist prompt variable sync <id>` creates a variable for each marker, and `ai-gist prompt fill <id> --var name=value` renders the final text. The app itself can generate and improve prompts through Ollama, LM Studio, OpenAI and other models, keeps version history and backs up to WebDAV and iCloud.
Who it is for. People who keep working prompts in AI Gist and want Claude Code or scripts to take templates from there and substitute variables.
Good fit when
- A template library lives in AI Gist and an agent has to fill values into it and hand back the finished text
- A plain prompt has to become a template: place `{{...}}` markers and create variables for them
- A script has to add new prompts and categories to the app in bulk
- You want prompt statistics in machine-readable form to process in a script
Not a fit when
- The AI Gist app is not running: the CLI talks only to a running copy and does nothing without it
- You need a shared catalog of ready prompts from the community: AI Gist stores your own
- You want a one-command npm install: the command runs from a repository clone, as AGENTS.md describes
- Data has to sync between machines without your involvement: the CLI works only with the local copy
Example request
Take the "Bug report" prompt from AI Gist, substitute the topic "sign-in through Yandex fails" and show the finished text.Limitations
The `ai-gist` command is described only in AGENTS.md and in the program's own help, and the README says nothing about it. It runs from a repository clone after installing dependencies, for example `node bin/ai-gist.js status`.
The local connection is off by default: turn it on in the app settings under local CLI. It works over loopback with a token and no data leaves the machine. The app must be running on the same machine.
AI Gist itself ships as a desktop and mobile app under AGPL-3.0 and installs from releases, the App Store, the Microsoft Store or Snap. The author treats the `--help` output as the single source of truth for the command list.
How to disable. Turn off local CLI access in the AI Gist settings, which is enough to stop the command from working. The repository clone can be deleted like any folder.
FAQ
How does an agent reach the AI Gist database?
Through the `ai-gist` command: the data lives inside the app and the CLI connects to it over a local token-authenticated channel. Direct IndexedDB access is not supported.
How do I enable CLI access?
In the AI Gist settings, the local CLI section, the access toggle. Then `node bin/ai-gist.js status` shows the link works.
How do I fill a template with variables?
With `ai-gist prompt fill <id> --var name=value`. The `{{name}}` markers in the text are first turned into variables through `ai-gist prompt variable sync <id>`.
Can I get output in JSON?
Yes, the global `--json` flag switches to a machine format instead of human-readable text.
Where are my prompts stored?
Only on your device. For moving between machines the app offers backups to WebDAV and iCloud.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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README in short
The README presents AI Gist as a local-first app: templates with variables, three views, tags and ratings, version history, model connections and backups. It says nothing about the CLI, which is described in AGENTS.md. The interface comes in Chinese, English and Japanese.