# Pi Guide

A minimal terminal coding agent with configurable providers, sessions and extension packages.

Canonical URL: https://aiidelist.com/blog/traeide-pi

Language: en

Published: 2026-10-03

Updated: 2026-10-03

> Editorial snapshot from September 2026. Prices, models and interface labels may change; this is a practical guide, not a live product feed.

A minimal terminal coding agent with configurable providers, sessions and extension packages.

Coding agent · Earendil & contributors · macOS · Windows · Linux

 

## Suitable workflows

Developers building a small, customizable agent workflow around their own tools.

## Limitations and billing

Extensions can expand its permissions and behavior; the default tools can already edit files and run Bash.

## Capabilities we verified

Agent workflow · CLI surface · Rules / instructions · Skills · Bring your own key

This is an evidence-based shortlist, not an exhaustive feature inventory. Omitted capabilities have not been checked for this record.

## Pricing & usage

**See official pricing**

Free CLI; model-provider or optional service charges. The cost of metered usage or an external agent can be separate from the subscription.

## Models & access

Supported provider API keys or account logins; check provider terms and current compatibility.

Verified families: Claude, GPT.

<span id="cli-setup"></span>

## Install and start the CLI

npm and a supported model provider; the current package is published under @earendil-works.

```
npm install -g --ignore-scripts @earendil-works/pi-coding-agent
```

Open your project folder in a terminal, then run:

```
pi
```

## Account and authentication

Use /login to choose credentials, or provide the selected provider’s API key through its environment variable.

## Project configuration and tools

AGENTS.md supplies context. /model chooses the model; /resume and /tree navigate saved sessions.

## First task to try

Request an explanation of the repository and its checks before allowing a scoped edit.

## Script usage

This example asks for a project summary. Tool permissions still apply; a prompt is not a sandbox.

```
pi -p "Summarize the project structure without modifying files."
```

## Related CLI tools

[All AI CLI tools →](/blog/traeide-coding-agents)

[Aider](/blog/traeide-aider) — Terminal pair programming with repository maps, editable file context and Git integration.

[OpenCode](/blog/traeide-opencode) — An open-source coding agent with a terminal UI and configurable model providers.

[goose](/blog/traeide-goose) — An open-source agent that connects model providers, MCP tools and repeatable recipes.

## Project evaluation checklist

1. Open a small, familiar project and confirm that your essential language tooling works.
2. Give the agent one bounded change with an observable acceptance criterion.
3. Review the diff, run the project’s checks and compare the result with your current workflow.
4. Inspect usage after the task. Estimate a month of similar work, including any separate model or agent bill.

## Related TRAE guides

- [TRAE product overview](/ide/trae)
- [Trae IDE / TraeCode Download](/blog/traeide-download)
- [TraeCode Guide](/blog/traeide-traecode)
- [TraeWork Guide](/blog/traeide-traework)
- [TRAE Pricing: TraeCode & TraeWork](/blog/traeide-pricing)
- [TRAE Models & Model Access](/blog/traeide-models)
- [TraeWork vs TraeCode (Trae IDE)](/blog/traeide-traework-vs-traecode)
- [Trae MCP Setup & Troubleshooting](/blog/traeide-mcp)