ButtonsCLI¶
ButtonsCLI is a desktop terminal for people who want real shell sessions with more visible controls: tabs you can name, command buttons you can click, panes you can arrange, themes you can tune, and AI help that stays connected to the terminal you are using.
Start with the workspace¶
The first screen is the product. You get a terminal, a tab bar, preset command buttons, layout controls, and a status bar. You can type commands normally, paste normally, and use the visible controls when they make the work easier to follow.
ButtonsCLI is useful when you want to:
- keep a server, logs, tests, and a spare shell visible at the same time
- run repeated commands from named buttons
- switch between detected shells and custom shell profiles
- make the terminal readable with themes, fonts, gradients, and effects
- ask AI Help to explain output or propose a reviewed terminal action
- let a local coding agent control named tabs through
buttonsclictl
Learn the main flows¶
| Goal | Page |
|---|---|
| Understand the app | What ButtonsCLI is |
| Get oriented after first launch | Get started |
| Use tabs, panes, and web tabs | Work with tabs and layouts |
| Run repeated commands from buttons | Use ButtonsCLI day to day |
| Change colors, fonts, and themes | Customize themes and fonts |
| Use visual effects and Shader Lab | Tune effects and appearance |
| Configure AI Help | Use the AI Help window |
| Connect coding agents to the app | Control ButtonsCLI from a local agent |
| Check privacy behavior | Privacy and feedback |
What ButtonsCLI does not hide¶
ButtonsCLI still runs local pseudo-terminal (PTY) sessions. Your shell, tools, and current working directory behave like they do in other desktop terminals. The app adds controls around that session instead of replacing it with a web command runner.
Some features are gated, experimental, or dependent on runtime configuration. The docs call that out on the relevant page instead of presenting preview features as guaranteed in every build.
Good first setup¶
- Open a second terminal with +.
- Rename the tabs for the job they are doing, such as
serverandtests. - Use the side-by-side or grid controls to keep both visible.
- Try a few preset buttons.
- Open Settings and choose a readable theme and terminal font size.
- Open AI Help only after you have configured a provider.
- Use Agent Inst. when you want an external coding agent to work with the running app.