What it does
OVI-CODE is a C++20 terminal application. It connects to OpenRouter, OpenAI, Anthropic, or xAI/Grok. Install it with the Homebrew command brew install --cask Ovicorps/ovi-code/ovi-code. Then run ovi-code from a project directory. The first launch asks for a provider account, API key, model, reasoning effort, and default technique. The agent can inspect the workspace and read and edit files. A full-screen interface shows every model response, tool call, result, and diff. Type a request in Insert mode, press Esc to enter Normal mode, and press Enter to send it. Native C++ plugins can change how the agent approaches a task, runs model and tool passes, and verifies its work. OVI-CODE says it can make broad changes inside the selected workspace and advises using version control and reviewing diffs.
Capabilities
- Technique plugins are native C++ modules loaded at runtime through a dependency-free, versioned C ABI, with no need to fork, recompile, or relink the OVI-CODE binary.
- Plugins can declare typed options that appear under Settings → Plugins and are saved per plugin.
- The bundled Deliberate plugin adds hypothesis-driven verification and is preselected for fresh configurations.
- The read_file, list_files, and edit_file tools resolve paths inside the selected workspace and reject path traversal outside it.
- Project instructions are read from agent.md, tools.md, and skills.md.
When to use it
- You want a coding agent in the terminal to inspect and edit files in a project workspace.
- You want to add your own agentic technique without forking or recompiling the application.
- You want the conversation, tool activity, and file changes visible in one screen.
