Getting started with Darce, the AI coding agent for your terminal
Darce is an open source (MIT) AI coding agent that runs in your terminal. You describe a task; it reads your code, edits files and runs commands in the folder you started it from, using whichever of 250+ models you pick. Every change it makes can be reversed with /undo.
Try it without an account
You need Node.js 22 or later. Then, in any project folder:
npx darce-cliThe first run offers a free trial with no sign-up, so you can see what it does on your own code before deciding anything.
Install it
To keep it around, install it globally and run darce:
npm install -g darce-cli
darceOn first run Darce creates ~/.darcerc with sensible defaults. Everything in it is optional; see Configuration.
Create a free account
When you want more than the trial, run:
darce signupThis turns the trial into a Free account (a daily allowance, no card) and keeps your history. You can also sign in through the browser from inside Darce with /login, check your plan and usage with /account, and sign out with /logout.
Your first task
Start Darce in a project and type what you want in plain language:
> add input validation to the signup form and a test for itWhat happens next:
- Darce reads the files it needs (reading never asks for permission).
- It edits files and shows a syntax-highlighted diff of every edit.
- It runs commands such as your tests. Commands that are risky, like installs, network access or deletes, ask first and show the reason. See Safety.
- It ends with a receipt: files changed, commands run, the highest risk taken, models used, tokens, cost and time.
Don't like the result? Type /undo to step back one change, or press Esc twice to scrub through the whole session. This covers files your shell commands created, changed or deleted too, not just Darce's own edits. See Undo.
Useful keys
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| Esc | Stop the current task without quitting |
| Esc Esc | Rewind: scrub through every change |
| Shift+Tab | Cycle approval mode (auto, ask, plan, full) |
| Shift+↑ / Shift+↓ | Switch to a smarter or cheaper model, even mid-task |
| Ctrl+P | Open the model picker |
| Shift+Enter | New line in your prompt |
| Ctrl+R | Search prompt history |
| Ctrl+O | Show a step's full output |
| Ctrl+V | Paste a screenshot |
Type / to see every command, or @ to fuzzy-find a file and attach it to your message. The full list is on Commands.
Pick a model
Darce starts on a fast open coding model. Switch any time with /model (or Ctrl+P), or start with one:
darce --model anthropic/claude-sonnet-5.5Browse the model directory or read how model selection works.
Scripts and CI
For non-interactive use, darce -p "task" prints the result and exits.
Plans
| Free | Builder | Power | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $15/month | $65/month |
| Usage | A daily allowance | About 7× Free, reset weekly | About 4× Builder, reset weekly |
| Models | Fast, low-cost models (up to $5 per million output tokens) | Adds Claude Sonnet and Opus, GPT and Gemini Pro (up to $20 per million output tokens) | Every model, including the priciest reasoning ones |
Usage is measured by what the work actually costs, so fast models like Claude Haiku and Qwen3 Coder stretch your allowance much further than the biggest ones. /account shows how much you've used and when it resets. Every plan gets every feature. Upgrade with /upgrade or on the pricing page; cancel any time.
Get help
Questions, bugs and ideas are welcome on Discord (or type /community) and on GitHub.
Next: Undo · All docs · Model directory · Claude Code alternative