Quick Start and Daily Workflows¶
Installation¶
Or use a standalone binary (no Node.js required) -- check the GitHub releases.
Android (Termux) Setup¶
Pi runs on Android via Termux with zero friction:
- Install Termux from F-Droid
- Install Node.js:
pkg install nodejs - Install pi:
npm install -g @mariozechner/pi-coding-agent - Copy just your
~/.pi/agent/models.jsonfrom your desktop - Run
pi
That's it -- models.json is the only file you need to bring over. Extensions, skills, and packages can all be installed via CLI afterwards (pi install npm:shitty-extensions, etc.). This is one of pi's underrated strengths: because everything is npm packages and local files, getting productive on a new device takes under a minute.
Authentication¶
# Option 1: API key
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...
pi
# Option 2: OAuth subscription (Claude Pro/Max, ChatGPT Plus, Copilot, Gemini)
pi
/login
First Session¶
Pi will load any AGENTS.md files from ~/.pi/agent/, parent directories, and the current directory.
Essential Commands¶
| Command | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+L |
Switch model |
Ctrl+P |
Cycle favorite models |
Shift+Tab |
Cycle thinking level |
/tree |
Navigate session tree |
/fork |
Branch to new session |
/compact |
Summarize old context |
/name <label> |
Label current session |
/export |
Export to HTML |
/share |
Upload to GitHub gist |
/reload |
Hot-reload extensions |
Ctrl+C |
Clear editor |
Ctrl+C x2 |
Quit |
Escape |
Cancel/abort |
Escape x2 |
Open /tree |
Ctrl+O |
Collapse/expand tool output |
Editor Features¶
| Feature | How |
|---|---|
| File reference | Type @ to fuzzy-search project files |
| Path completion | Tab |
| Multi-line | Shift+Enter |
| Paste images | Ctrl+V |
| Run bash inline | !command (sends output to LLM) |
| Run bash silent | !!command (runs without sending) |
Message Queuing¶
While the agent is working:
Enter-- Send steering message (interrupts after current tool)Alt+Enter-- Send follow-up (waits until agent finishes)Escape-- Abort and restore queued messages
Recommended Setup¶
1. Global AGENTS.md¶
Create ~/.pi/agent/AGENTS.md with your universal preferences:
# Global Agent Instructions
## Style
- Use TypeScript strict mode
- Prefer functional patterns
- Keep functions under 30 lines
## Tools
- Use pnpm for package management
- Use vitest for testing
2. Project AGENTS.md¶
Create AGENTS.md in your project root:
# Project: My App
## Stack
- Next.js 15, TypeScript, Tailwind
- Deployed on Vercel
## Conventions
- Components in src/components/
- API routes in src/app/api/
- Use server actions for mutations
3. Install Community Extensions¶
# Oracle + handoff + plan mode + more
pi install npm:shitty-extensions
# Model switching with aliases
pi install npm:pi-model-switch
4. Configure Model Aliases¶
Create ~/.pi/agent/extensions/model-switch/aliases.json:
{
"cheap": "google/gemini-2.5-flash",
"coding": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-20250514",
"review": "openai/gpt-5.2"
}
Daily Workflow Patterns¶
Focused Task¶
pi
> "Implement the user authentication flow using NextAuth.js"
# Agent works autonomously until done
Exploration + Branch¶
pi
> "Explore two approaches for the caching layer"
# Agent explores approach A
/tree # Go back to before approach A
> "Now try approach B using Redis instead"
# Compare both branches
Multi-Model Brainstorm¶
> "Design the API schema for the notification service"
# Claude designs it
> "Switch to review model"
> "Review the schema design, find edge cases"
# GPT-5.2 reviews
> "Switch to coding model"
> "Implement the schema based on the review feedback"
Handoff Between Sessions¶
> "Plan the migration from REST to GraphQL"
# Agent creates the plan
/handoff implement phase 1 of the migration plan
# New session starts with focused context