zero: Run a Local Terminal Coding Agent

Overview

Zero is a coding agent for working with code from a local terminal. It can inspect a repository, edit files, and run commands, while letting the user select a model and set permissions for actions such as file writes and shell commands.

It offers both an interactive terminal interface and a headless command for scripts and CI. Sessions stay on disk, and the project supports hosted providers, local model services, and compatible endpoints.

Key Features

• Interactive TUI for prompts, model selection, plans, tool activity, and session management.
• Headless zero exec with text, JSON, and stream-JSON input and output options.
• Provider support for hosted models, local services such as Ollama and LM Studio, and compatible endpoints.
• Permission controls and sandbox policies for file writes, shell commands, network access, and additional directories.
• Local sessions that can be searched, resumed, forked, or rewound.
• Extensibility through MCP servers, skills, plugins, hooks, and specialist subagents.
• Utilities for repository maps, verification checks, worktrees, and usage reporting.

Use Cases

• Developers can ask for help understanding or changing a repository from the terminal, with tool actions subject to configured permissions.
• Teams can run one-shot coding tasks in scripts or CI using zero exec and its structured I/O options.
• Users who want to choose between hosted and local models can configure a provider for each workflow.
• Developers working across code and documentation directories can grant specific extra write roots rather than broad filesystem access.

Project Facts

• Language: Go
• License: MIT
• Stars: 1.7k
• Forks: 194
• Topics: ai, ai-agent, anthropic, cli, code-assistant, coding-agent, developer-tools, gemini, llm, mcp, ollama, openai, terminal
• Archived: No

Getting Started

Install the npm package and launch Zero:

npm install -g @gitlawb/zero
zero

See the repository README for provider setup, other installation methods, and usage details.

Alternatives

• DeepSeek-Reasonix: DeepSeek-Reasonix emphasizes a persistent terminal agent and prefix-cache stability, while Zero focuses on scriptable sessions and explicit controls over side effects.
• Tau: Tau is a Python port of Pi's minimalist agent; Zero is Go-based and supports a range of hosted and local models.
• Grok Build: Grok Build is a full-screen terminal coding agent from SpaceXAI, while Zero emphasizes scriptability and explicit side-effect controls.
• OpenCode: OpenCode is a TypeScript coding agent with specialized agents and multi-platform support; Zero is a Go CLI with local sessions and broad model support.

Considerations

• Building from source requires Go 1.26.6 or later.
• Using hosted providers requires configuring the relevant credentials. Local model use depends on having a compatible local service available.
• Actions that can change files or affect the environment are governed by permission and sandbox settings. Review those settings before enabling autonomous or unsafe modes.
• The npm package relies on optional platform packages for its binaries. If optional dependencies are skipped, the wrapper fetches a matching binary from a GitHub Release when needed.