Hunter Bown
abc8751d81
- CHANGELOG: add YOLO sandbox, scroll lock, and capacity controller fixes - README: replace v0.8.10 highlights with v0.8.11 cache-maxing + fixes - Date corrected to 2026-05-04
337 lines
17 KiB
Markdown
337 lines
17 KiB
Markdown
# 🐳 DeepSeek TUI
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> **This terminal-native coding agent is built around DeepSeek V4's 1M-token context window and prefix cache capability. It is distributed as a single binary and requires no Node.js or Python runtime. It also includes an MCP client, a sandbox, and a durable task queue out of the box.**
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[简体中文 README](README.zh-CN.md)
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Before proceeding, ensure that `Node.js` and `npm` are installed.
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```bash
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node --version
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npm --version
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```
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If `Node.js` and `npm` are not installed in your environment, refer to the installation guides provided below:
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* English version: [https://nodejs.org/en/download](https://nodejs.org/en/download)
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* Chinese version: [https://nodejs.org/zh-cn/download](https://nodejs.org/zh-cn/download)
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Select the version that best matches your device specifications and operating system.
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Install the `deepseek-tui` now:
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```bash
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npm install -g deepseek-tui
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# When installing deepseek-tui in China's internet environment, you can use an npm mirror to speed up the installation process.
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# npm install -g deepseek-tui@latest --registry=https://registry.npmmirror.com
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```
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[](https://github.com/Hmbown/DeepSeek-TUI/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
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[](https://www.npmjs.com/package/deepseek-tui)
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[](https://crates.io/crates/deepseek-tui-cli)
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[](https://deepwiki.com/Hmbown/DeepSeek-TUI)
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<a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hmbown" target="_blank"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Buy%20me%20a%20coffee-5F7FFF?style=for-the-badge&logo=buymeacoffee&logoColor=white" alt="Buy me a coffee" /></a>
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---
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## What Is It?
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DeepSeek TUI is a coding agent that runs entirely in your terminal. It gives DeepSeek's frontier models direct access to your workspace — reading and editing files, running shell commands, searching the web, managing git, and orchestrating sub-agents — all through a fast, keyboard-driven TUI.
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**Built for DeepSeek V4** (`deepseek-v4-pro` / `deepseek-v4-flash`) with 1M-token context window and native thinking-mode (chain-of-thought) streaming.
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### Key Features
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- **Native RLM** (`rlm_query`) — fans out 1–16 cheap `deepseek-v4-flash` children in parallel for batched analysis and parallel reasoning, all against the existing API client
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- **Thinking-mode streaming** — watch the model's chain-of-thought unfold in real time as it works through your tasks
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- **Full tool suite** — file ops, shell execution, git, web search/browse, apply-patch, sub-agents, MCP servers
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- **1M-token context** — automatic intelligent compaction when context fills up; prefix-cache aware for cost efficiency
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- **Three modes** — Plan (read-only explore), Agent (interactive with approval), YOLO (auto-approved)
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- **Reasoning-effort tiers** — cycle through `off → high → max` with `Shift + Tab`
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- **Session save/resume** — checkpoint and resume long-running sessions
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- **Workspace rollback** — side-git pre/post-turn snapshots with `/restore` and `revert_turn`, without touching your repo's `.git`
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- **Durable task queue** — background tasks survive restarts; think scheduled automation, long-running reviews
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- **HTTP/SSE runtime API** — `deepseek serve --http` for headless agent workflows
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- **MCP protocol** — connect to Model Context Protocol servers for extended tooling; please see [docs/MCP.md](docs/MCP.md)
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- **LSP diagnostics** — inline error/warning surfacing after every edit via rust-analyzer, pyright, typescript-language-server, gopls, clangd
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- **User memory** — optional persistent note file injected into the system prompt for cross-session preferences
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- **Localized UI** — `en`, `ja`, `zh-Hans`, `pt-BR` with auto-detection
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- **Live cost tracking** — per-turn and session-level token usage and cost estimates; cache hit/miss breakdown
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- **Skills system** — composable, installable instruction packs from GitHub with no backend service required
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---
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## How It's Wired
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`deepseek` (dispatcher CLI) → `deepseek-tui` (companion binary) → ratatui interface ↔ async engine ↔ OpenAI-compatible streaming client. Tool calls route through a typed registry (shell, file ops, git, web, sub-agents, MCP, RLM) and results stream back into the transcript. The engine manages session state, turn tracking, the durable task queue, and an LSP subsystem that feeds post-edit diagnostics into the model's context before the next reasoning step.
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See [docs/ARCHITECTURE.md](docs/ARCHITECTURE.md) for the full walkthrough.
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---
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## Quickstart
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```bash
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npm install -g deepseek-tui
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deepseek --version
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deepseek
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```
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Prebuilt binaries are published for **Linux x64**, **Linux ARM64** (v0.8.8+), **macOS x64**, **macOS ARM64**, and **Windows x64**. For other targets (musl, riscv64, FreeBSD, etc.), see [Install from source](#install-from-source) or [docs/INSTALL.md](docs/INSTALL.md).
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On first launch you'll be prompted for your [DeepSeek API key](https://platform.deepseek.com/api_keys). The key is saved to `~/.deepseek/config.toml` so it works from any directory without OS credential prompts.
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You can also set it ahead of time:
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```bash
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deepseek auth set --provider deepseek # saves to ~/.deepseek/config.toml
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export DEEPSEEK_API_KEY="YOUR_KEY" # env var alternative; use ~/.zshenv for non-interactive shells
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deepseek
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deepseek doctor # verify setup
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```
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> To rotate or remove a saved key: `deepseek auth clear --provider deepseek`.
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### Linux ARM64 (Raspberry Pi, Asahi, Graviton, HarmonyOS PC)
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`npm i -g deepseek-tui` works on glibc-based ARM64 Linux from v0.8.8 onward. You can also download prebuilt binaries from the [Releases page](https://github.com/Hmbown/DeepSeek-TUI/releases) and place them side by side on your `PATH`.
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### China / Mirror-friendly Installation
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If GitHub or npm downloads are slow from mainland China, use a Cargo registry mirror:
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```toml
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# ~/.cargo/config.toml
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[source.crates-io]
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replace-with = "tuna"
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[source.tuna]
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registry = "sparse+https://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/crates.io-index/"
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```
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Then install both binaries (the dispatcher delegates to the TUI at runtime):
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```bash
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cargo install deepseek-tui-cli --locked # provides `deepseek`
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cargo install deepseek-tui --locked # provides `deepseek-tui`
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deepseek --version
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```
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Prebuilt binaries can also be downloaded from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/Hmbown/DeepSeek-TUI/releases). Use `DEEPSEEK_TUI_RELEASE_BASE_URL` for mirrored release assets.
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<details id="install-from-source">
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<summary>Install from source</summary>
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Works on any Tier-1 Rust target — including musl, riscv64, FreeBSD, and older ARM64 distros.
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```bash
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# Linux build deps (Debian/Ubuntu/RHEL):
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# sudo apt-get install -y build-essential pkg-config libdbus-1-dev
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# sudo dnf install -y gcc make pkgconf-pkg-config dbus-devel
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git clone https://github.com/Hmbown/DeepSeek-TUI.git
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cd DeepSeek-TUI
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cargo install --path crates/cli --locked # requires Rust 1.85+; provides `deepseek`
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cargo install --path crates/tui --locked # provides `deepseek-tui`
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```
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Both binaries are required. Cross-compilation and platform-specific notes: [docs/INSTALL.md](docs/INSTALL.md).
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</details>
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### Other API Providers
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```bash
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# NVIDIA NIM
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deepseek auth set --provider nvidia-nim --api-key "YOUR_NVIDIA_API_KEY"
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deepseek --provider nvidia-nim
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# Fireworks
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deepseek auth set --provider fireworks --api-key "YOUR_FIREWORKS_API_KEY"
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deepseek --provider fireworks --model deepseek-v4-pro
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# Self-hosted SGLang
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SGLANG_BASE_URL="http://localhost:30000/v1" deepseek --provider sglang --model deepseek-v4-flash
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```
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---
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## What's New In v0.8.11
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A targeted patch for the V4 cache-maxing overhaul plus three runtime fixes discovered in YOLO long-session dogfooding. [Full changelog](CHANGELOG.md).
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- **Cache-maxing prompt path for DeepSeek V4** — the engine skips system-prompt reassembly when the stable prefix is unchanged, moves the working-set summary out of the system prompt into per-turn metadata, and anchors the tool array with `cache_control: ephemeral`. Net effect: fewer prefix rewrites, higher cache-hit rates, lower cost per turn.
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- **500K token compaction floor** — automatic compaction refuses below 500K tokens; manual `/compact` still bypasses. The message-count trigger (a 128K-era heuristic) is removed — token budget is the sole auto-trigger.
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- **`npm install` resilience** — retry with exponential backoff, per-attempt timeout + stall detector, `HTTPS_PROXY`/`HTTP_PROXY`/`NO_PROXY` support (pure Node, no new deps), and download progress to stderr. Driven by a community report from China where `npm install` took 18 minutes through a CN mirror.
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- **YOLO sandbox dropped** — YOLO now uses DangerFullAccess (no sandbox), consistent with its auto-approval + trust mode posture. Previously, the WorkspaceWrite sandbox was intercepting legitimate outside-workspace writes.
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- **Scroll lock preserved during live streaming** — scrolling up mid-stream no longer gets yanked back to the tail on the next chunk. The `user_scrolled_during_stream` lock now survives render-time clamping.
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- **Capacity controller off by default** — the controller was silently clearing transcripts independent of token usage or `auto_compact` settings. Now defaults to disabled; opt-in via `capacity.enabled = true`.
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- **README clarity pass** (#685) — title-cased headings, explicit prerequisites, China-friendly install variant. *Thanks to [@Agent-Skill-007](https://github.com/Agent-Skill-007) for this PR.*
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---
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## Usage
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```bash
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deepseek # interactive TUI
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deepseek "explain this function" # one-shot prompt
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deepseek --model deepseek-v4-flash "summarize" # model override
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deepseek --yolo # auto-approve tools
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deepseek auth set --provider deepseek # save API key
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deepseek doctor # check setup & connectivity
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deepseek doctor --json # machine-readable diagnostics
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deepseek setup --status # read-only setup status
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deepseek setup --tools --plugins # scaffold tool/plugin dirs
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deepseek models # list live API models
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deepseek sessions # list saved sessions
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deepseek resume --last # resume latest session
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deepseek serve --http # HTTP/SSE API server
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deepseek pr <N> # fetch PR and pre-seed review prompt
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deepseek mcp list # list configured MCP servers
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deepseek mcp validate # validate MCP config/connectivity
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deepseek mcp-server # run dispatcher MCP stdio server
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```
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### Keyboard Shortcuts
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| Key | Action |
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| `Tab` | Complete `/` or `@` entries; while running, queue draft as follow-up; otherwise cycle mode |
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| `Shift+Tab` | Cycle reasoning-effort: off → high → max |
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| `F1` | Searchable help overlay |
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| `Esc` | Back / dismiss |
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| `Ctrl+K` | Command palette |
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| `Ctrl+R` | Resume an earlier session |
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| `Alt+R` | Search prompt history and recover cleared drafts |
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| `Ctrl+S` | Stash current draft (`/stash list`, `/stash pop` to recover) |
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| `@path` | Attach file/directory context in composer |
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| `↑` (at composer start) | Select attachment row for removal |
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| `Alt+↑` | Edit last queued message |
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Full shortcut catalog: [docs/KEYBINDINGS.md](docs/KEYBINDINGS.md).
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---
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## Modes
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| Mode | Behavior |
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| --- | --- |
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| **Plan** 🔍 | Read-only investigation — model explores and proposes a plan (`update_plan` + `checklist_write`) before making changes |
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| **Agent** 🤖 | Default interactive mode — multi-step tool use with approval gates; model outlines work via `checklist_write` |
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| **YOLO** ⚡ | Auto-approve all tools in a trusted workspace; still maintains plan and checklist for visibility |
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---
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## Configuration
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User config: `~/.deepseek/config.toml`. Project overlay: `<workspace>/.deepseek/config.toml` (denied: `api_key`, `base_url`, `provider`, `mcp_config_path`). [config.example.toml](config.example.toml) has every option.
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Key environment variables:
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| Variable | Purpose |
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| `DEEPSEEK_API_KEY` | API key |
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| `DEEPSEEK_BASE_URL` | API base URL |
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| `DEEPSEEK_MODEL` | Default model |
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| `DEEPSEEK_PROVIDER` | `deepseek` (default), `nvidia-nim`, `fireworks`, `sglang` |
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| `DEEPSEEK_PROFILE` | Config profile name |
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| `DEEPSEEK_MEMORY` | Set to `on` to enable user memory |
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| `NVIDIA_API_KEY` / `FIREWORKS_API_KEY` / `SGLANG_API_KEY` | Provider auth |
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| `SGLANG_BASE_URL` | Self-hosted SGLang endpoint |
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| `NO_ANIMATIONS=1` | Force accessibility mode at startup |
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| `SSL_CERT_FILE` | Custom CA bundle for corporate proxies |
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UI locale is separate from model language — set `locale` in `settings.toml`, use `/config locale zh-Hans`, or rely on `LC_ALL`/`LANG`. See [docs/CONFIGURATION.md](docs/CONFIGURATION.md) and [docs/MCP.md](docs/MCP.md).
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---
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## Models & Pricing
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| Model | Context | Input (cache hit) | Input (cache miss) | Output |
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| `deepseek-v4-pro` | 1M | $0.003625 / 1M* | $0.435 / 1M* | $0.87 / 1M* |
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| `deepseek-v4-flash` | 1M | $0.0028 / 1M | $0.14 / 1M | $0.28 / 1M |
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Legacy aliases `deepseek-chat` / `deepseek-reasoner` map to `deepseek-v4-flash`. NVIDIA NIM variants use your NVIDIA account terms.
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*DeepSeek Pro rates currently reflect a limited-time 75% discount, which remains valid until 15:59 UTC on 5 May 2026. After that time, the TUI cost estimator will revert to the base Pro rates.*
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---
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## Publishing Your Own Skill
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DeepSeek TUI discovers skills from workspace directories (`.agents/skills` → `skills` → `.opencode/skills` → `.claude/skills`) and the global `~/.deepseek/skills`. Each skill is a directory with a `SKILL.md` file:
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```text
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~/.deepseek/skills/my-skill/
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└── SKILL.md
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```
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Frontmatter required:
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```markdown
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---
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name: my-skill
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description: Use this when DeepSeek should follow my custom workflow.
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---
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# My Skill
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Instructions for the agent go here.
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```
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Commands: `/skills` (list), `/skill <name>` (activate), `/skill new` (scaffold), `/skill install github:<owner>/<repo>` (community), `/skill update` / `uninstall` / `trust`. Community installs from GitHub require no backend service. Installed skills appear in the model-visible session context; the agent can auto-select relevant skills via the `load_skill` tool when your task matches their descriptions.
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---
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## Documentation
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| Doc | Topic |
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| [ARCHITECTURE.md](docs/ARCHITECTURE.md) | Codebase internals |
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| [CONFIGURATION.md](docs/CONFIGURATION.md) | Full config reference |
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| [MODES.md](docs/MODES.md) | Plan / Agent / YOLO modes |
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| [MCP.md](docs/MCP.md) | Model Context Protocol integration |
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| [RUNTIME_API.md](docs/RUNTIME_API.md) | HTTP/SSE API server |
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| [INSTALL.md](docs/INSTALL.md) | Platform-specific install guide |
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| [MEMORY.md](docs/MEMORY.md) | User memory feature guide |
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| [SUBAGENTS.md](docs/SUBAGENTS.md) | Sub-agent role taxonomy and lifecycle |
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| [KEYBINDINGS.md](docs/KEYBINDINGS.md) | Full shortcut catalog |
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| [RELEASE_RUNBOOK.md](docs/RELEASE_RUNBOOK.md) | Release process |
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| [OPERATIONS_RUNBOOK.md](docs/OPERATIONS_RUNBOOK.md) | Ops & recovery |
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Full Changelog: [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md).
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---
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## Thanks
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Earlier releases shipped with help from these contributors:
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- **Hafeez Pizofreude** — SSRF protection in `fetch_url` and Star History chart
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- **Unic (YuniqueUnic)** — Schema-driven config UI (TUI + web)
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- **Jason** — SSRF security hardening
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---
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## Contributing
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See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md). Pull requests welcome — check the [open issues](https://github.com/Hmbown/DeepSeek-TUI/issues) for good first contributions.
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> [!Note]
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> *Not affiliated with DeepSeek Inc.*
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## License
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[MIT](LICENSE)
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## Star History
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[](https://www.star-history.com/?repos=Hmbown%2FDeepSeek-TUI&type=date&logscale=&legend=top-left)
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