Pi GPUI CLI
Native interface for the pi agent in Rust and GPUI: project sessions, a conversation tree, a changes panel and plugins.
- 117 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- The app runs pi and its commands in your projects and updates itself.
Install
Manual install
brew install --cask bytesbay/tap/pi-gpuiThe first README command for macOS; Linux has an `install.sh` script that should be read before running.
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The app runs pi and its commands in your projects and updates itself.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Pi GPUI wraps an installed pi agent in a native window with no Electron or web view. The app runs your pi over RPC with the same models, extensions, skills and sessions as in the terminal. It weighs 16 MB, the window appears in 0.4 s and idle memory is about 75 MB, against 190 to 430 MB for Electron pi clients the author measured. The sidebar lists projects and their sessions, and each open session runs its own pi so switching never stops work. There is a branching conversation tree, file and git changes panels, a model and thinking level per session and a context ring with subscription limits. Plugins in any language add buttons, tools and live views inside tool calls.
Who it is for. pi agent users on macOS and Linux for whom a terminal is awkward for long sessions and reviewing changes.
Good fit when
- Several projects with pi sessions run in parallel and switching must not stop work.
- The conversation tree is inspected and you return to an earlier point with a branch summary.
- Agent changes are reviewed in a panel colored by git status.
- A session from the terminal moves into the app with `/gpui`.
- A plugin with a button and a tool is written for pi in your own language.
Not a fit when
- Windows is in use, which the app does not support.
- A different agent is needed: the app serves only pi 1.x.
- The computer is an Intel Mac or runs macOS older than 13.
Example request
Open my project in Pi GPUI, start a pi session and show the conversation tree and the changes panel.Limitations
The app targets macOS 13 or newer on Apple silicon and Linux, where support is beta and needs glibc 2.35, a Vulkan driver and X11 or Wayland. Windows is not supported. pi 1.4 or newer within 1.x is required. On Linux installation is offered as `curl -fsSL https://pi-gpui.dev/install.sh | sh`, so read the script before running it. The app updates itself, while updates for pi and extensions apply only on your click.
How to disable. Remove the app: on macOS with `brew uninstall --cask pi-gpui` or by moving it to the trash, on Linux by deleting `~/.local/pi-gpui.app` and the `~/.local/bin/pi-gpui` link. Settings sit in `settings.json` next to app data.
FAQ
How to move a terminal session?
Add the `/gpui` command to pi: it closes the current pi and opens the same session in Pi GPUI. Other tools use a `pi-gpui://open?workspace=...` link.
Where are settings stored?
In `~/Library/Application Support/pi-gpui/settings.json`, on Linux `~/.config/pi-gpui/settings.json`. The app applies the file as soon as it is saved.
Can the theme be changed?
Yes, there are Ayu Dark and Ayu Light following the system mode, custom themes from six colors and Zed themes.
What are the main keys?
⌘N new session, ⌘O add project, ⌘⇧T session tree, ⌘⇧M model choice, ⌘⇧C compact context. On Linux `⌘` is Ctrl.
How was speed measured?
On an M1 Pro with no projects open, counting each app's own processes. The method and script are in `docs/BENCHMARKS.md`.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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README in short
The app leaves pi settings in place and adds an interface and plugins. Docs cover app principles, plugins, the GPUI style, speed tests and running in a Linux VM.