How to install tlm on Linux?

Use the provided curl command with the install.sh script, which automatically detects your platform and architecture. After installation, verify by running 'tlm' in the terminal.

Can tlm explain complex shell commands with pipes?

Yes, use the 'explain' command with any shell command, and tlm will break down its components and functionality. You can override the model or style for better explanations.

What's the difference between tlm and GitHub Copilot CLI?

tlm runs locally with open-source models via Ollama, offering privacy and no costs, while GitHub Copilot CLI relies on cloud services and subscriptions, providing more integrated but less private assistance.

How to change the default model in tlm?

Use the 'config' command to set a preferred model globally, or override it per command with the --model flag, as shown in the usage examples for suggest and explain.

Does tlm work with PowerShell on Windows?

Yes, tlm supports PowerShell 5.5 or higher on Windows with automatic shell detection. Installation is done via a PowerShell script provided in the README.

How to use tlm's RAG feature with my codebase?

Use the 'ask' command with --context pointing to your project directory and --include patterns for file types like *.md or *.go, enabling questions based on local document context.

tlm

Apache-2.0Go1.2

A local CLI copilot that suggests and explains shell commands using open-source models via Ollama, with no API keys or internet required.

GitHub

1.5k stars52 forks0 contributors

What is tlm?

tlm is a local command-line interface copilot that uses open-source AI models via Ollama to assist developers with shell commands. It suggests commands based on natural language prompts, explains existing commands, and answers questions with optional file context—all running entirely on the user's machine without requiring internet or API keys.

Target Audience

Developers and system administrators who work extensively in the terminal and want AI-powered command assistance without relying on cloud services or compromising privacy.

Value Proposition

tlm offers a private, offline-first alternative to cloud-based CLI copilots by leveraging locally run open-source models, eliminating subscription costs and data privacy concerns while providing customizable model choices and shell integration.

Overview

Local CLI Copilot, powered by Ollama. 💻🦙

Use Cases

Best For

Generating complex shell commands from simple descriptions
Understanding unfamiliar or legacy command-line syntax

Related Projects

Community-curated · Updated weekly · 100% open source

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Working in restricted environments without internet access

Maintaining privacy while using AI coding assistants

Experimenting with different open-source LLMs for CLI tasks

Quickly querying project documentation via local file context

Not Ideal For

Users requiring real-time web data or API integrations, as tlm operates entirely offline with no internet access.
Teams needing shared AI configurations or collaborative features, since tlm is designed for individual use without built-in collaboration tools.
Environments with limited RAM or GPU resources, where running large local models could degrade system performance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Privacy-First Design

Runs entirely offline with no API keys or internet connection, ensuring user data never leaves the local machine, as emphasized in the README's no-subscription philosophy.

Model Flexibility

Supports various open-source models like Llama 3.3 and Qwen via Ollama, allowing users to experiment and choose based on performance needs, detailed in the features section.

Contextual Q&A with RAG

Includes a beta ask command that uses Retrieval-Augmented Generation with local file context, enabling project-specific questions without cloud dependencies.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Works on macOS, Linux, and Windows with automatic shell detection for Bash, Zsh, and PowerShell, making it accessible across diverse development setups.

Cons

Complex Initial Setup

Requires separate installation of Ollama and model downloads, adding multiple steps beyond tlm itself, which can be cumbersome for users wanting plug-and-play solutions.

Resource Intensive

Running large language models locally consumes significant CPU/GPU and memory, potentially slowing down other applications on the machine.

Beta Feature Limitations

The RAG-based ask command is marked as beta, indicating it may be less stable or feature-complete compared to core functions like suggest and explain.

Open Source Alternative To

tlm is an open-source alternative to the following products:

C

Claude CLI tools

Claude CLI tools are command-line utilities for interacting with Anthropic's Claude AI models, enabling text generation and processing via terminal commands.

C

ChatGPT CLI tools

ChatGPT CLI tools are command-line interface applications that allow users to interact with OpenAI's ChatGPT models directly from their terminal or shell environment.

GitHub Copilot CLI

GitHub Copilot CLI is a command-line interface version of GitHub Copilot that provides AI-assisted code suggestions and completions directly in the terminal.

Frequently Asked Questions

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