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Pi is a terminal-based AI agent that can work with files and run commands in a folder you choose. It supports local models, but it can also use hosted services through subscriptions, API keys, or compatible endpoints—so using Pi does not automatically mean every part of the setup stays on your computer. Before using it on important or untrusted files, understand both how model access works and what permissions Pi receives.
What Pi does—and what “local” means
Pi is a minimal, extensible agent toolkit for working from a terminal. Give it a goal and a working folder, and it can inspect files, run commands, edit content, and carry out multi-step tasks. The project describes itself as “a minimal, extensible agent harness that you can make your own.” Its documented use cases include software development, research notes, writing, data files, and hobby projects. The software is MIT-licensed. Pi project repository
“Local” can refer to different parts of the setup. Pi runs in your environment and can access files in the folder where you launch it. Separately, you choose where its model runs: the official quickstart lists a local model alongside subscriptions, API keys, and compatible endpoints. If you choose a hosted provider, that provider handles model inference; Pi’s ability to read local files does not establish that inference or connected services remain local. Check the selected provider’s data handling before sharing sensitive material. Pi coding-agent quickstart
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Install Pi and start in the right folder
The official quickstart documents an installer, global npm installation, and Nix on macOS or Linux. The npm route requires Node.js 22.19 or newer. The installer pins dependencies; the npm route does not pin transitive dependencies. Installation options and requirements can change, so consult the current quickstart for the exact commands before installing. Official installation and quickstart instructions
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- Choose the working folder. Start Pi from the directory you want it to work in. That folder helps Pi discover relevant files and instructions and groups saved sessions. Avoid launching it from a broad directory if you do not want it to work across that directory’s contents.
- Choose a model access route. In Pi, use
/loginto select and configure a provider. A local model is an option; a subscription, API key, or compatible endpoint are alternatives. Availability depends on the provider and current Pi support. - Select the model. Use
/modelto change the selected model. Confirm that the chosen provider and model suit the task and the data you plan to share. - Give it a bounded task. Begin with a specific request in a folder containing only the files needed. Review proposed changes and command effects before relying on the result.
Choose a model route that matches your privacy and workflow
| Model access route | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Local model | The model runs through a local-model setup supported by Pi. | Pi’s reviewed documentation does not specify hardware requirements or performance benchmarks. Check the selected model and runtime’s current requirements; do not assume a particular computer or GPU is sufficient. |
| Subscription | Pi connects to a supported service using a subscription-based access route. | Confirm current provider support, account terms, and how the service handles prompts and data. |
| API key | Pi uses credentials for a model provider. | Protect the key and review the provider’s data and billing terms. |
| Compatible endpoint | Pi connects to a model service through a compatible endpoint. | Verify endpoint compatibility, who operates it, and where requests are processed. |
These are documented categories, not a performance or cost ranking. The project materials reviewed do not establish comparative speed, quality, or cost for them. Pi quickstart: providers and model selection
Extend Pi only as much as the task requires
Pi supports several customization mechanisms. The quickstart recommends choosing the smallest one that fits, rather than adding executable code when a simple instruction or prompt would do. Customization guidance in the quickstart
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AGENTS.md: Put persistent folder-specific instructions here.- Prompt templates: Use these for reusable prompts.
- Skills: Package reusable guidance and resources for tasks.
- Extensions: Use these when you need executable tools or event handlers.
- Packages: Bundle resources for distribution.
For automation and integration, the project documents interactive terminal use, print mode for scripted tasks, JSON event streams for structured output, RPC mode for controlling a separate Pi process, and a TypeScript SDK for embedding Pi in Node.js or Bun applications. The SDK exposes access to the agent, sessions, tools, models, and resources used by the CLI. Pi CLI modes and customization Pi TypeScript SDK documentation
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Understand the permission boundary before letting Pi act
Pi can read and change files and execute commands with the permissions of the account that launched it. It does not ask before every tool call. Extensions and child processes also run with those permissions unless an operating-system or virtualization boundary restricts them. Project trust controls which project resources load; it is not a sandbox for tool actions. Pi security documentation
- Launch Pi from a working directory that contains only the files it needs to access.
- Limit access to services and credentials, and avoid exposing secrets in the working environment.
- Use an operating-system or virtualization isolation boundary when you need stronger restrictions. For untrusted or unattended tasks, the quickstart recommends a container or another sandbox.
- Review transcripts and generated diffs, but do not treat monitoring or review as a security boundary.
These precautions matter most when a task involves untrusted input, commands, sensitive files, or unattended execution. The relevant question is not only whether you trust the prompt, but what the launched process and its extensions are permitted to do. Security guidance Quickstart safety guidance
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Is Pi a fit for your setup?
Pi is a practical option if you want a terminal-based agent that can work in a selected folder and adapt to your workflow through instructions, templates, skills, extensions, or code integration. It is not, by itself, a guarantee of fully local inference or a sandbox around file and command access. Decide separately where the model runs, what data may leave your environment, what the process can access, and whether you need an external isolation boundary.
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