by umbertocicciaa | 2026-02-01 13:20:47+00:00
## chatgpt-cli: A Simple ChatGPT CLI That Stays Out of Your Way

I recently built *chatgpt-cli*, a minimal command-line interface for interacting with ChatGPT.

*Project link:* [github.com/umbertocicciaa/chatgpt-cli](https://github.com/umbertocicciaa/chatgpt-cli)

The motivation is straightforward: *most existing ChatGPT CLI tools are far more complex than they need to be*.

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## The Problem with Most ChatGPT CLIs

Search for a ChatGPT CLI today, and you'll typically find tools that:

- Require multiple files, folders, and configuration steps
- Depend on several external libraries
- Try to do everything instead of doing one thing well
- Demand more setup time than actual usage time

They're powerful, sure — but often overkill. When all you want is to quickly ask ChatGPT something from the terminal, that complexity becomes friction.

I wanted something closer to the *Unix philosophy*: small, simple, transparent, and easy to modify.

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## What chatgpt-cli Is

*chatgpt-cli* is:

- A *single file* — that's it
- *Zero external dependencies* — just standard library
- Easy to read, understand, and tweak in minutes
- Focused on one job: chatting with ChatGPT from the terminal

You can open the file, understand exactly how it works, and customize it without digging through a framework or chasing a dependency tree.

*No magic. No bloat. Just a straightforward tool that does what it says.*

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## Why Simplicity Matters

Simplicity isn't just about fewer lines of code — it's about:

- *Lower cognitive load*: You don't need to learn a framework to use or modify it
- *Faster setup*: Clone, configure your API key, run — that's it
- *Easier debugging*: When something breaks, you know exactly where to look
- *Longer project lifespan*: Simple tools survive because they're easier to maintain

In a world where tooling keeps getting heavier, there's real value in *boring, obvious solutions that just work*.

Simple tools tend to outlive complex ones. They're easier to fork, adapt, and understand — even years later.

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## Who This Is For

*chatgpt-cli* isn't trying to replace feature-rich clients. It's built for developers who:

- Live in the terminal and prefer staying there
- Want fast feedback loops without context switching
- Prefer tools they can *fully understand* in one sitting
- Value control and transparency over convenience features

For these users, a lightweight CLI becomes part of daily workflows — scripting, brainstorming, debugging, writing documentation — all without leaving the terminal or fighting a complex setup.

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## How This Could Change Your Workflow

Imagine being able to:

- *Ask quick questions* without opening a browser or switching apps
- *Pipe outputs* directly into other command-line tools
- *Script interactions* with ChatGPT as part of your automation
- *Modify the behavior* by editing a single, readable file

When your tools stay out of the way, you focus on the work — not the tooling.

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## Final Thoughts

This project exists because I needed it. If you've felt the same frustration with over-engineered tools, you might find *chatgpt-cli* refreshing.

Sometimes, the best innovation isn't adding more features — it's *removing everything that doesn't need to be there*.

If that resonates with you, check it out, fork it, and make it yours.

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#CLI #ChatGPT #OpenSource #DeveloperTools #Minimalism #Terminal #Productivity