The "llm" tool, introduced in Simon Willison’s talk at North Bay Python 2023, has become a vital aspect of my development process. This command-line interface consolidates various language models, allowing seamless interaction with models like GPT-4 and Claude directly from the terminal. Key features include a universal interface, automatic conversation logging, a plugin ecosystem, and compatibility with Unix pipes.
To get started, you can install "llm" using tools like uv or pipx. Configuration is simple, typically beginning with OpenAI. Different models can be utilized, and conversations are automatically stored in SQLite, making management easy. The plugin system enhances functionality and enables local model execution on Apple Silicon.
Additionally, features like prompts, file management, templates, and embeddings enhance workflow integration, allowing automated tasks and cost optimization. The tool fundamentally transforms AI integration in development, making it indispensable for tasks like code analysis and documentation. For in-depth usage, refer to the official documentation.
