@m4ike1/ion-coding-agent 0.1.0

package/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,738 @@
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://ion.dev">
+    <img alt="ion logo" src="https://ion.dev/logo-auto.svg" width="128">
+  </a>
+</p>
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://discord.com/invite/3cU7Bz4UPx"><img alt="Discord" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/discord-community-5865F2?style=flat-square&logo=discord&logoColor=white" /></a>
+  <a href="https://www.npmjs.com/package/@m4ike1/ion-coding-agent"><img alt="npm" src="https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@m4ike1/ion-coding-agent?style=flat-square" /></a>
+</p>
+
+> New issues and PRs from new contributors are auto-closed by default. Maintainers review auto-closed issues daily. See [CONTRIBUTING.md](../../CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
+---
+
+Ion is a minimal terminal coding harness. Adapt ion to your workflows, not the other way around, without having to fork and modify ion internals. Extend it with TypeScript [Extensions](#extensions), [Skills](#skills), [Prompt Templates](#prompt-templates), and [Themes](#themes). Put your extensions, skills, prompt templates, and themes in [Ion Packages](#ion-packages) and share them with others via npm or git.
+
+Ion ships with powerful defaults but skips features like sub agents and plan mode. Instead, you can ask ion to build what you want or install a third party ion package that matches your workflow.
+
+Ion runs in four modes: interactive, print or JSON, RPC for process integration, and an SDK for embedding in your own apps.
+
+## Share your OSS coding agent sessions
+
+If you use ion for open source work, please share your coding agent sessions.
+
+Public OSS session data helps improve models, prompts, tools, and evaluations using real development workflows.
+
+For the full explanation, see [this post on X](https://x.com/badlogicgames/status/2037811643774652911).
+
+To publish sessions, use [`badlogic/ion-share-hf`](https://github.com/badlogic/ion-share-hf). Read its README.md for setup instructions. All you need is a Hugging Face account, the Hugging Face CLI, and `ion-share-hf`.
+
+You can also watch [this video](https://x.com/badlogicgames/status/2041151967695634619), where I show how I publish my `ion-mono` sessions.
+
+I regularly publish my own `ion-mono` work sessions here:
+
+- [badlogicgames/ion-mono on Hugging Face](https://huggingface.co/datasets/badlogicgames/ion-mono)
+
+## Table of Contents
+
+- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
+- [Providers & Models](#providers--models)
+- [Interactive Mode](#interactive-mode)
+  - [Editor](#editor)
+  - [Commands](#commands)
+  - [Keyboard Shortcuts](#keyboard-shortcuts)
+  - [Message Queue](#message-queue)
+- [Sessions](#sessions)
+  - [Branching](#branching)
+  - [Compaction](#compaction)
+- [Settings](#settings)
+- [Context Files](#context-files)
+- [Customization](#customization)
+  - [Prompt Templates](#prompt-templates)
+  - [Skills](#skills)
+  - [Extensions](#extensions)
+  - [Themes](#themes)
+  - [Ion Packages](#ion-packages)
+- [Programmatic Usage](#programmatic-usage)
+- [Philosophy](#philosophy)
+- [CLI Reference](#cli-reference)
+
+---
+
+## Quick Start
+
+```bash
+npm install -g --ignore-scripts @m4ike1/ion-coding-agent
+```
+
+`--ignore-scripts` disables dependency lifecycle scripts during install. Ion does not require install scripts for normal npm installs.
+
+Installer alternative:
+
+```bash
+curl -fsSL https://ion.dev/install.sh | sh
+```
+
+Authenticate with an API key:
+
+```bash
+export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...
+ion
+```
+
+Or use your existing subscription:
+
+```bash
+ion
+:login  # Then select provider
+```
+
+Then just talk to ion. By default, ion gives the model five tools: `read`, `write`, `edit`, `bash`, and `grep`. The model uses these to fulfill your requests. `find`, `ls` (`powershell` on Windows), and extension tools are opt-in via [tool options](#tool-options). Add capabilities via [skills](#skills), [prompt templates](#prompt-templates), [extensions](#extensions), or [ion packages](#ion-packages).
+
+**Platform notes:** [Windows](docs/windows.md) | [Termux (Android)](docs/termux.md) | [tmux](docs/tmux.md) | [Terminal setup](docs/terminal-setup.md) | [Shell aliases](docs/shell-aliases.md)
+
+---
+
+## Providers & Models
+
+For each built-in provider, ion maintains a list of tool-capable models. Configured provider catalogs refresh automatically; run `ion update --models` to force an immediate refresh. Authenticate via subscription (`:login`) or API key, then select any model from that provider via `:model` (or Ctrl+L). Press Ctrl+S in the model picker to save the highlighted model as the startup default.
+
+**Subscriptions:**
+- Anthropic Claude Pro/Max
+- OpenAI ChatGPT Plus/Pro (Codex)
+- GitHub Copilot
+
+**API keys:**
+- Anthropic
+- Ant Ling
+- OpenAI
+- Azure OpenAI
+- DeepSeek
+- NVIDIA NIM
+- Google Gemini
+- Google Vertex
+- Amazon Bedrock
+- Mistral
+- Groq
+- Cerebras
+- Cloudflare AI Gateway
+- Cloudflare Workers AI
+- xAI
+- OpenRouter
+- Vercel AI Gateway
+- ZAI Coding Plan (Global)
+- ZAI Coding Plan (China)
+- OpenCode Zen
+- OpenCode Go
+- Hugging Face
+- Fireworks
+- Together AI
+- Baseten
+- Kimi For Coding
+- MiniMax
+- Ollama (local server, no API key required)
+- Ollama Cloud (hosted, requires API key)
+- Xiaomi MiMo
+- Xiaomi MiMo Token Plan (China)
+- Xiaomi MiMo Token Plan (Amsterdam)
+- Xiaomi MiMo Token Plan (Singapore)
+
+Ion also supports the llama.cpp router server. Configure it with `:login llama.cpp`, manage downloads and loaded models with `/llama`, then select a loaded model with `:model`. See [docs/llama-cpp.md](docs/llama-cpp.md) for setup and usage.
+
+Ion also supports local [Ollama](https://ollama.com) servers with no API key. Start the server (`ollama serve`), pull a model (`ollama pull gpt-oss:20b`), then select it with `:model`. Set `OLLAMA_HOST` to use a non-default server URL. For hosted models, set `OLLAMA_API_KEY` (from ollama.com/settings/keys) and select an `ollama-cloud` model instead.
+
+See [docs/providers.md](docs/providers.md) for other provider setup instructions.
+
+**Custom providers & models:** Add providers via `~/.ion/agent/models.json` if they speak a supported API (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google). For custom APIs or OAuth, use extensions. See [docs/models.md](docs/models.md) and [docs/custom-provider.md](docs/custom-provider.md).
+
+---
+
+## Interactive Mode
+
+<p align="center"><img src="docs/images/interactive-mode.png" alt="Interactive Mode" width="600"></p>
+
+The interface from top to bottom:
+
+- **Startup header** - Shows shortcuts (`:hotkeys` for all), loaded AGENTS.md files, prompt templates, skills, and extensions
+- **Messages** - Your messages, assistant responses, tool calls and results, notifications, errors, and extension UI
+- **Editor** - Where you type; border color indicates thinking level and the border shows the streaming working indicator
+- **Footer** - Working directory, session name, total token/cache usage (`↑` input, `↓` output, `R` cache read, `W` cache write, `CH` latest cache hit rate), cost, context usage, current model. Totals include assistant responses, usage reported by tools, and summary generation.
+
+The editor can be temporarily replaced by other UI, like built-in `:settings` or custom UI from extensions (e.g., a Q&A tool that lets the user answer model questions in a structured format). [Extensions](#extensions) can also replace the editor, add widgets above/below it, a status line, custom footer, or overlays.
+
+### Editor
+
+| Feature | How |
+|---------|-----|
+| File reference | Type `@` to fuzzy-search project files |
+| Path completion | Tab to complete paths |
+| Multi-line | Shift+Enter (or Ctrl+Enter on Windows Terminal) |
+| External editor | Ctrl+G opens `externalEditor`, `$VISUAL`, `$EDITOR`, Notepad on Windows, or `nano` elsewhere |
+| Clipboard | Ctrl+V to paste an image or text (Alt+V on Windows), or drag images onto terminal |
+| Bash commands | `!command` runs and sends output to LLM, `!!command` runs without sending |
+
+Standard editing keybindings for delete word, undo, etc. See [docs/keybindings.md](docs/keybindings.md).
+
+### Commands
+
+Type `/` in the editor for prompt templates. [Extension](#extensions) commands stay available when typed directly, [skills](#skills) invoke via `$name` or the hidden `/skill:name`, and [prompt templates](#prompt-templates) expand via `/templatename`.
+
+| Command | Description |
+|---------|-------------|
+| `:login`, `:logout` | Manage provider credentials |
+| [`/llama`](docs/llama-cpp.md) | Download, load, and unload llama.cpp router models |
+| `:model` | Switch models; Ctrl+S in the picker saves the startup default |
+| `:thinking` | Switch thinking level; Ctrl+S in the picker saves the startup default |
+| `:scoped-models` | Enable/disable models for Ctrl+P cycling |
+| `:settings` | Theme, message delivery, transport, and other preferences |
+| `:resume` | Pick from previous sessions |
+| `:new` | Start a new session |
+| `:name <name>` | Set session display name |
+| `:session` | Show session info (file, ID, messages, tokens, cost) |
+| `:tree` | Jump to any point in the session and continue from there |
+| `:trust` | Save project trust decision for future sessions (restart required) |
+| `:fork` | Create a new session from a previous user message |
+| `:clone` | Duplicate the current active branch into a new session |
+| `:compact [prompt]` | Manually compact context, optional custom instructions |
+| `:copy` | Copy last assistant message to clipboard |
+| `:export [file]` | Export session to HTML or JSONL file |
+| `:import <file>` | Import and resume a session from a JSONL file |
+| `:share` | Upload as private GitHub gist with shareable HTML link |
+| `:reload` | Reload keybindings, extensions, skills, prompts, themes, and context files |
+| `:hotkeys` | Show all keyboard shortcuts |
+| `:changelog` | Display version history |
+| `:quit` | Quit ion |
+
+### Keyboard Shortcuts
+
+See `:hotkeys` for the full list. Customize via `~/.ion/agent/keybindings.json`. See [docs/keybindings.md](docs/keybindings.md).
+
+**Commonly used:**
+
+| Key | Action |
+|-----|--------|
+| Ctrl+C | Clear editor |
+| Ctrl+C twice | Quit |
+| Escape | Cancel/abort |
+| Escape twice | Open `:tree` |
+| Ctrl+L | Open model selector |
+| Ctrl+P / Shift+Ctrl+P | Cycle scoped models forward/backward |
+| Shift+Tab | Cycle thinking level |
+| Ctrl+O | Collapse/expand tool output |
+| Ctrl+T | Collapse/expand thinking blocks |
+| Ctrl+X | Copy the last assistant message; with fullscreen copy-on-select disabled, copy the active text selection |
+
+### Message Queue
+
+Submit messages while the agent is working:
+
+- **Enter** queues a *steering* message, delivered after the current assistant turn finishes executing its tool calls
+- **Alt+Enter** queues a *follow-up* message, delivered only after the agent finishes all work
+- **Escape** aborts and restores queued messages to editor
+- **Alt+Up** retrieves queued messages back to editor
+
+On Windows Terminal, `Alt+Enter` is fullscreen by default. Remap it in [docs/terminal-setup.md](docs/terminal-setup.md) so ion can receive the follow-up shortcut.
+
+Configure delivery in [settings](docs/settings.md): `steeringMode` and `followUpMode` can be `"one-at-a-time"` (default, waits for response) or `"all"` (delivers all queued at once). `transport` selects provider transport preference (`"sse"`, `"websocket"`, or `"auto"`) for providers that support multiple transports.
+
+---
+
+## Sessions
+
+Sessions are stored as JSONL files with a tree structure. Each entry has an `id` and `parentId`, enabling in-place branching without creating new files. See [docs/session-format.md](docs/session-format.md) for file format.
+
+### Management
+
+Sessions auto-save to `~/.ion/agent/sessions/` organized by working directory.
+
+```bash
+ion -c                  # Continue most recent session
+ion -r                  # Browse and select from past sessions
+ion --no-session        # Ephemeral mode (don't save)
+ion --name "my task"    # Set session display name at startup
+ion --session <path|id> # Use specific session file or ID
+ion --fork <path|id>    # Fork specific session file or ID into a new session
+```
+
+Use `:session` in interactive mode to see the current session ID before reusing it with `--session <id>` or `--fork <id>`.
+
+### Branching
+
+**`:tree`** - Navigate the session tree in-place. Select any previous point, continue from there, and switch between branches. All history preserved in a single file. Selecting a point while the model is responding cancels that response. Navigation cannot proceed while compaction or another tree navigation is still running; wait for it to finish and retry.
+
+<p align="center"><img src="docs/images/tree-view.png" alt="Tree View" width="600"></p>
+
+- Search by typing, fold/unfold and jump between branches with Ctrl+←/Ctrl+→ or Alt+←/Alt+→, page with ←/→
+- Filter modes (Ctrl+O): default → no-tools → user-only → labeled-only → all
+- Press Ctrl+X to copy the selected message
+- Press Shift+L to label entries as bookmarks and Shift+T to toggle label timestamps
+
+**`:fork`** - Create a new session file from a previous user message on the active branch. Opens a selector, copies the active path up to that point, and places the selected prompt in the editor for modification.
+
+**`:clone`** - Duplicate the current active branch into a new session file at the current position. The new session keeps the full active-path history and opens with an empty editor.
+
+**`--fork <path|id>`** - Fork an existing session file or partial session UUID directly from the CLI. This copies the full source session into a new session file in the current project.
+
+### Compaction
+
+Long sessions can exhaust context windows. Compaction summarizes older messages while keeping recent ones.
+
+**Manual:** `:compact` or `:compact <custom instructions>`
+
+**Automatic:** Enabled by default. Triggers on context overflow (recovers and retries) or when approaching the limit (proactive). Configure via `:settings` or `settings.json`.
+
+Compaction is lossy. The full history remains in the JSONL file; use `:tree` to revisit. Customize compaction behavior via [extensions](#extensions). See [docs/compaction.md](docs/compaction.md) for internals.
+
+---
+
+## Settings
+
+Use `:settings` to modify common options, or edit JSON files directly:
+
+| Location | Scope |
+|----------|-------|
+| `~/.ion/agent/settings.json` | Global (all projects) |
+| `.ion/settings.json` | Project (overrides global) |
+
+See [docs/settings.md](docs/settings.md) for all options.
+
+### Project Trust
+
+On interactive startup, ion asks before trusting a project folder that contains project-local settings, resources, or project `.agents/skills` and has no saved decision for the folder or a parent folder in `~/.ion/agent/trust.json`. Trusting a project allows ion to load `.ion/settings.json` and `.ion` resources, install missing project packages, and execute project extensions.
+
+Before the trust decision, ion loads only context files, user/global extensions, and CLI `-e` extensions so they can handle the `project_trust` event. Project-local extensions, project package-managed extensions, and project settings are loaded only after the project is trusted. This split also applies when switching to a session from a different cwd whose trust has not been resolved in the current process.
+
+Non-interactive modes (`-p`, `--mode json`, and `--mode rpc`) do not show a trust prompt. Without an applicable saved trust decision, they use `defaultProjectTrust` from global settings: `ask` (default) and `never` ignore those project resources, while `always` trusts them. Pass `--approve`/`-a` or `--no-approve`/`-na` to override project trust for one run.
+
+If no extension or saved decision applies, `defaultProjectTrust` controls the fallback behavior. Set it to `"ask"`, `"always"`, or `"never"` in `~/.ion/agent/settings.json`, or change it with `:settings`.
+
+`ion config` and package commands use the same project trust flow, except `ion update` never prompts. Pass `--approve` to trust project-local settings for one command or `--no-approve` to ignore them.
+
+Use `:trust` in interactive mode to save a project trust decision for future sessions, including trust for the immediate parent folder. It writes `~/.ion/agent/trust.json` only; the current session is not reloaded, so restart ion for changes to take effect.
+
+### Telemetry and update checks
+
+Ion has two separate startup features:
+
+- **Update check:** fetches `https://ion.dev/api/latest-version` to check whether a newer Ion version exists. Disable it with `ION_SKIP_VERSION_CHECK=1`. Disabling update checks only turns off this check.
+- **Install/update telemetry:** after first install or a changelog-detected update, sends an anonymous version ping to `https://ion.dev/api/report-install`. This setting also controls optional provider attribution headers for OpenRouter, Cloudflare, and direct NVIDIA NIM requests. Opt out by setting `enableInstallTelemetry` to `false` in `settings.json`, or by setting `ION_TELEMETRY=0`. This does not disable update checks; Ion may still contact `ion.dev` for the latest version unless update checks are disabled or offline mode is enabled.
+
+Use `--offline` or `ION_OFFLINE=1` to disable all startup network operations described here, including update checks, package update checks, and install/update telemetry.
+
+---
+
+## Context Files
+
+Ion loads `AGENTS.md` (or `CLAUDE.md`) at startup from:
+- `~/.ion/agent/AGENTS.md` (global)
+- Parent directories (walking up from cwd)
+- Current directory
+
+If a directory contains `AGENTS.override.md`, Ion loads it instead of `AGENTS.md` or `CLAUDE.md` from that directory. Context files from other directories are still concatenated.
+
+Use for project instructions (`AGENTS.md`/`CLAUDE.md`), conventions, common commands. All matching files are concatenated.
+
+Disable context file loading with `--no-context-files` (or `-nc`).
+
+### System Prompt
+
+Replace the default system prompt with `.ion/SYSTEM.md` (project) or `~/.ion/agent/SYSTEM.md` (global). Append without replacing via `APPEND_SYSTEM.md`.
+
+---
+
+## Customization
+
+### Prompt Templates
+
+Reusable prompts as Markdown files. Type `/name` to expand.
+
+```markdown
+<!-- ~/.ion/agent/prompts/review.md -->
+Review this code for bugs, security issues, and performance problems.
+Focus on: {{focus}}
+```
+
+Place in `~/.ion/agent/prompts/`, `.ion/prompts/`, or a [ion package](#ion-packages) to share with others. See [docs/prompt-templates.md](docs/prompt-templates.md).
+
+### Skills
+
+On-demand capability packages following the [Agent Skills standard](https://agentskills.io). Invoke via `$name` in a message or `/skill:name`, or let the agent load them automatically.
+
+```markdown
+<!-- ~/.ion/agent/skills/my-skill/SKILL.md -->
+# My Skill
+Use this skill when the user asks about X.
+
+## Steps
+1. Do this
+2. Then that
+```
+
+Place in `~/.ion/agent/skills/`, `~/.agents/skills/`, `.ion/skills/`, or `.agents/skills/` (from `cwd` up through parent directories) or a [ion package](#ion-packages) to share with others. See [docs/skills.md](docs/skills.md).
+
+### Extensions
+
+<p align="center"><img src="docs/images/doom-extension.png" alt="Doom Extension" width="600"></p>
+
+TypeScript modules that extend ion with custom tools, commands, keyboard shortcuts, event handlers, and UI components.
+
+```typescript
+export default function (ion: ExtensionAPI) {
+  ion.registerTool({ name: "deploy", ... });
+  ion.registerCommand("stats", { ... });
+  ion.on("tool_call", async (event, ctx) => { ... });
+}
+```
+
+The default export can also be `async`. ion waits for async extension factories before startup continues, which is useful for one-time initialization such as fetching remote model lists before calling `ion.registerProvider()`.
+
+**What's possible:**
+- Custom tools (or replace built-in tools entirely)
+- Sub-agents and plan mode
+- Custom compaction and summarization
+- Permission gates and path protection
+- Custom editors and UI components
+- Status lines, headers, footers
+- Git checkpointing and auto-commit
+- SSH and sandbox execution
+- MCP server integration
+- Make ion look like Claude Code
+- Games while waiting (yes, Doom runs)
+- ...anything you can dream up
+
+Place in `~/.ion/agent/extensions/`, `.ion/extensions/`, or a [ion package](#ion-packages) to share with others. See [docs/extensions.md](docs/extensions.md) and [examples/extensions/](examples/extensions/).
+
+### Themes
+
+Built-in: `dark`, `light`. Themes hot-reload: modify the active theme file and ion immediately applies changes.
+
+Place in `~/.ion/agent/themes/`, `.ion/themes/`, or a [ion package](#ion-packages) to share with others. See [docs/themes.md](docs/themes.md).
+
+### Ion Packages
+
+Bundle and share extensions, skills, prompts, and themes via npm or git. Find packages on [npmjs.com](https://www.npmjs.com/search?q=keywords%3Api-package) or [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1456806362351669492/1457744485428629628).
+
+> **Security:** Ion packages run with full system access. Extensions execute arbitrary code, and skills can instruct the model to perform any action including running executables. Review source code before installing third-party packages.
+
+```bash
+ion install npm:@foo/ion-tools
+ion install npm:@foo/ion-tools@1.2.3      # pinned version
+ion install git:github.com/user/repo
+ion install git:github.com/user/repo@v1  # tag or commit
+ion install git:git@github.com:user/repo
+ion install git:git@github.com:user/repo@v1  # tag or commit
+ion install https://github.com/user/repo
+ion install https://github.com/user/repo@v1      # tag or commit
+ion install ssh://git@github.com/user/repo
+ion install ssh://git@github.com/user/repo@v1    # tag or commit
+ion remove npm:@foo/ion-tools
+ion uninstall npm:@foo/ion-tools          # alias for remove
+ion list
+ion update                               # update ion only
+ion update --all                         # update ion and packages
+ion update --extensions                  # update packages only
+ion update --models                      # refresh model catalogs only
+ion update --self                        # update ion only
+ion update --self --force                # reinstall ion even if current
+ion update npm:@foo/ion-tools             # update one package
+ion config                               # enable/disable extensions, skills, prompts, themes
+```
+
+Packages install to `~/.ion/agent/git/` (git) or `~/.ion/agent/npm/` (npm). Use `-l` for project-local installs (`.ion/git/`, `.ion/npm/`). Git `@ref` values are pinned tags or commits; pinned packages are skipped by `ion update --extensions` and `ion update --all`, so use `ion install git:host/user/repo@new-ref` to move an existing package to a new ref. Git packages install dependencies with `npm install --omit=dev` by default, so runtime deps must be listed under `dependencies`; when `npmCommand` is configured, git packages use plain `install` for compatibility with wrappers. If you use a Node version manager and want package installs to reuse a stable npm context, set `npmCommand` in `settings.json`, for example `["mise", "exec", "node@20", "--", "npm"]`.
+
+Create a package by adding a `ion` key to `package.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "name": "my-ion-package",
+  "keywords": ["ion-package"],
+  "ion": {
+    "extensions": ["./extensions"],
+    "skills": ["./skills"],
+    "prompts": ["./prompts"],
+    "themes": ["./themes"]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Without a `ion` manifest, ion auto-discovers from conventional directories (`extensions/`, `skills/`, `prompts/`, `themes/`).
+
+See [docs/packages.md](docs/packages.md).
+
+---
+
+## Programmatic Usage
+
+### SDK
+
+```typescript
+import { createAgentSession, ModelRuntime, SessionManager } from "@m4ike1/ion-coding-agent";
+
+const modelRuntime = await ModelRuntime.create();
+const { session } = await createAgentSession({
+  sessionManager: SessionManager.inMemory(),
+  modelRuntime,
+});
+
+await session.prompt("What files are in the current directory?");
+```
+
+For advanced multi-session runtime replacement, use `createAgentSessionRuntime()` and `AgentSessionRuntime`.
+
+See [docs/sdk.md](docs/sdk.md) and [examples/sdk/](examples/sdk/).
+
+### RPC Mode
+
+For non-Node.js integrations, use RPC mode over stdin/stdout:
+
+```bash
+ion --mode rpc
+```
+
+RPC mode uses strict LF-delimited JSONL framing. Clients must split records on `\n` only. Do not use generic line readers like Node `readline`, which also split on Unicode separators inside JSON payloads.
+
+See [docs/rpc.md](docs/rpc.md) for the protocol.
+
+---
+
+## Philosophy
+
+Ion is aggressively extensible so it doesn't have to dictate your workflow. Features that other tools bake in can be built with [extensions](#extensions), [skills](#skills), or installed from third-party [ion packages](#ion-packages). This keeps the core minimal while letting you shape ion to fit how you work.
+
+**No MCP.** Build CLI tools with READMEs (see [Skills](#skills)), or build an extension that adds MCP support. [Why?](https://mariozechner.at/posts/2025-11-02-what-if-you-dont-need-mcp/)
+
+**No sub-agents.** There's many ways to do this. Spawn ion instances via tmux, or build your own with [extensions](#extensions), or install a package that does it your way.
+
+**No permission popups.** Run in a container, or build your own confirmation flow with [extensions](#extensions) inline with your environment and security requirements.
+
+**No plan mode.** Write plans to files, or build it with [extensions](#extensions), or install a package.
+
+**No built-in to-dos.** They confuse models. Use a TODO.md file, or build your own with [extensions](#extensions).
+
+**No background bash.** Use tmux. Full observability, direct interaction.
+
+Read the [blog post](https://mariozechner.at/posts/2025-11-30-ion-coding-agent/) for the full rationale.
+
+---
+
+## CLI Reference
+
+```bash
+ion [options] [--] [@files...] [messages...]
+```
+
+### Package Commands
+
+```bash
+ion install <source> [-l]     # Install package, -l for project-local
+ion remove <source> [-l]      # Remove package
+ion uninstall <source> [-l]   # Alias for remove
+ion update [source|self|ion]   # Update ion only, or one package source
+ion update --all              # Update ion and packages
+ion update --extensions       # Update packages only
+ion update --models           # Refresh model catalogs only
+ion update --self             # Update ion only
+ion update --self --force     # Reinstall ion even if current
+ion update --extension <src>  # Update one package
+ion list                      # List installed packages
+ion config [-l]               # Enable/disable package resources
+```
+
+### Auth Commands
+
+```bash
+ion auth print-api-key --provider <provider> [--model <model>]
+ion auth print-bearer-token --provider <provider> [--model <model>] [--min-expiry <duration>]
+ion auth check --provider <provider> [--model <model>] [--json] [--credentials] [--no-refresh]
+```
+
+`print-api-key` and `print-bearer-token` emit a credential for an external client (bearer tokens refresh when expired). `check` reports provider readiness (`ready`, `not_ready`, `invalid`) and requires `--provider` or `--model`; `--no-refresh` (check only) prevents credential refresh.
+
+`ion config` and project package commands accept `--approve`/`--no-approve` to trust or ignore project-local settings for one command. `ion update` never prompts for project trust.
+
+### Modes
+
+| Flag | Description |
+|------|-------------|
+| (default) | Interactive mode (`--mode text` without `-p`; piped stdin switches to print) |
+| `-p`, `--print` | Print response and exit |
+| `--mode text` | Explicit default text output (print or interactive, depending on TTY) |
+| `--mode json` | Output all events as JSON lines (see [docs/json.md](docs/json.md)) |
+| `--mode rpc` | RPC mode for process integration (see [docs/rpc.md](docs/rpc.md)) |
+| `--export <in> [out]` | Export session to HTML |
+
+In print mode, ion also reads piped stdin and merges it into the initial prompt:
+
+```bash
+cat README.md | ion -p "Summarize this text"
+```
+
+### Model Options
+
+| Option | Description |
+|--------|-------------|
+| `--provider <name>` | Provider (anthropic, openai, google, etc.) |
+| `--model <pattern>` | Model pattern or ID (supports `provider/id` and optional `:<thinking>`) |
+| `--api-key <key>` | API key (overrides env vars) |
+| `--thinking <level>` | `off`, `minimal`, `low`, `medium`, `high`, `xhigh`, `max` |
+| `--models <patterns>` | Comma-separated patterns for Ctrl+P cycling |
+| `--list-models [search]` | List available models |
+
+### Session Options
+
+| Option | Description |
+|--------|-------------|
+| `-c`, `--continue` | Continue most recent session |
+| `-r`, `--resume` | Browse and select session |
+| `--session <path\|id>` | Use specific session file or partial UUID |
+| `--session-id <id>` | Use exact project session ID, creating it if missing |
+| `--fork <path\|id>` | Fork specific session file or partial UUID into a new session |
+| `--session-dir <dir>` | Custom session storage directory |
+| `--no-session` | Ephemeral mode (don't save) |
+| `--name <name>`, `-n <name>` | Set session display name at startup |
+
+`--fork` cannot be combined with `--session`, `--continue`, `--resume`, or `--no-session`. `--session-id` cannot be combined with `--session`, `--continue`, or `--resume`.
+
+### Tool Options
+
+| Option | Description |
+|--------|-------------|
+| `--tools <list>`, `-t <list>` | Allowlist specific tool names across built-in, extension, and custom tools |
+| `--exclude-tools <list>`, `-xt <list>` | Disable specific tool names across built-in, extension, and custom tools |
+| `--no-builtin-tools`, `-nbt` | Disable built-in tools by default but keep extension/custom tools enabled |
+| `--no-tools`, `-nt` | Disable all tools by default |
+
+Available built-in tools: `read`, `bash`, `powershell` (Windows), `edit`, `write`, `grep`, `find`, `ls`.
+Defaults are `read`, `bash`, `edit`, `write`, `grep` (overridable via the `defaultTools` setting); `find`, `ls`, and `powershell` are opt-in via `--tools`.
+
+### Resource Options
+
+| Option | Description |
+|--------|-------------|
+| `-e`, `--extension <source>` | Load extension from path, npm, or git (repeatable) |
+| `--no-extensions`, `-ne` | Disable extension discovery |
+| `--skill <path>` | Load skill (repeatable) |
+| `--no-skills`, `-ns` | Disable skill discovery |
+| `--prompt-template <path>` | Load prompt template (repeatable) |
+| `--no-prompt-templates`, `-np` | Disable prompt template discovery |
+| `--theme <path>` | Load theme (repeatable) |
+| `--no-themes` | Disable theme discovery |
+| `--no-context-files`, `-nc` | Disable AGENTS.md and CLAUDE.md context file discovery |
+
+Combine `--no-*` with explicit flags to load exactly what you need, ignoring settings.json (e.g., `--no-extensions -e ./my-ext.ts`).
+
+### Other Options
+
+| Option | Description |
+|--------|-------------|
+| `--system-prompt <text>` | Replace default prompt (context files and skills still appended) |
+| `--append-system-prompt <text>` | Append to system prompt (repeatable) |
+| `--offline` | Disable startup network operations (same as `ION_OFFLINE=1`) |
+| `--tui-mode <mode>` | TUI mode: `regular` (default) or experimental `fullscreen` |
+| `--use-theme <name[:name]>` | Set the initial interactive theme for this run without changing settings |
+| `--verbose` | Force verbose startup |
+| `-a`, `--approve` | Trust project-local files for this run |
+| `-na`, `--no-approve` | Ignore project-local files for this run |
+| `--` | Stop option parsing; remaining arguments are prompts or `@file` inputs |
+| `-h`, `--help` | Show help |
+| `-v`, `--version` | Show version |
+
+### File Arguments
+
+Prefix files with `@` to include in the message:
+
+```bash
+ion @prompt.md "Answer this"
+ion -p @screenshot.png "What's in this image?"
+ion @code.ts @test.ts "Review these files"
+```
+
+### Examples
+
+```bash
+# Interactive with initial prompt
+ion "List all .ts files in src/"
+
+# Non-interactive
+ion -p "Summarize this codebase"
+
+# Prompt beginning with a dash
+ion -p -- "- Summarize these points"
+
+# Non-interactive with piped stdin
+cat README.md | ion -p "Summarize this text"
+
+# Named one-shot session
+ion --name "release audit" -p "Audit this repository"
+
+# Different model
+ion --provider openai --model gpt-4o "Help me refactor"
+
+# Model with provider prefix (no --provider needed)
+ion --model openai/gpt-4o "Help me refactor"
+
+# Model with thinking level shorthand
+ion --model sonnet:high "Solve this complex problem"
+
+# Limit model cycling
+ion --models "claude-*,gpt-4o"
+
+# Read-only mode
+ion --tools read,grep,find,ls -p "Review the code"
+
+# Disable one extension or built-in tool while keeping the rest available
+ion --exclude-tools ask_question
+
+# High thinking level
+ion --thinking high "Solve this complex problem"
+```
+
+### Environment Variables
+
+| Variable | Description |
+|----------|-------------|
+| `AI_AGENT` | Set to `ion` by the CLI and RPC entry points so generic tooling can attribute child processes to Ion |
+| `ION_CODING_AGENT` | Set to `true` by the CLI and RPC entry points so child processes can detect that they run inside Ion |
+| `ION_CODING_AGENT_DIR` | Override config directory (default: `~/.ion/agent`) |
+| `ION_CODING_AGENT_SESSION_DIR` | Override session storage directory (overridden by `--session-dir`) |
+| `ION_PACKAGE_DIR` | Override package directory (useful for Nix/Guix where store paths tokenize poorly) |
+| `ION_OFFLINE` | Disable startup network operations, including update checks, package update checks, and install/update telemetry |
+| `ION_SKIP_VERSION_CHECK` | Skip the Ion version update check at startup. This prevents the `ion.dev` latest-version request |
+| `ION_TELEMETRY` | Override install/update telemetry and provider attribution headers. Use `1`/`true`/`yes` to enable or `0`/`false`/`no` to disable. This does not disable update checks |
+| `ION_CACHE_RETENTION` | Set to `long` for extended prompt cache (Anthropic: 1h, OpenAI: 24h) |
+| `VISUAL`, `EDITOR` | Fallback external editor for Ctrl+G when `externalEditor` is unset; defaults to Notepad on Windows and `nano` elsewhere |
+
+Commands run by the LLM-callable `bash` and `powershell` tools also receive current session metadata:
+
+| Variable | Description |
+|----------|-------------|
+| `ION_SESSION_ID` | Current session ID |
+| `ION_SESSION_FILE` | Absolute session JSONL path; unset for ephemeral sessions |
+| `ION_PROVIDER` | Currently selected model provider |
+| `ION_MODEL` | Currently selected model ID |
+| `ION_REASONING_LEVEL` | Current effective reasoning level |
+
+These values are resolved when each command starts. See [Environment Variables](docs/environment-variables.md#shell-tool-session-environment) for semantics, examples, and custom-tool opt-out.
+
+---
+
+## Contributing & Development
+
+See [CONTRIBUTING.md](../../CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines and [docs/development.md](docs/development.md) for setup, forking, and debugging.
+
+## License
+
+MIT
+
+## See Also
+
+- [@m4ike1/ion-ai](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@m4ike1/ion-ai): Core LLM toolkit
+- [@m4ike1/ion-agent-core](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@m4ike1/ion-agent-core): Agent framework
+- [@m4ike1/ion-tui](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@m4ike1/ion-tui): Terminal UI components
+
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://ion.dev">ion.dev</a> domain graciously donated by
+  <br /><br />
+  <a href="https://exe.dev"><img src="docs/images/exy.png" alt="Exy mascot" width="48" /><br />exe.dev</a>
+</p>