jebi

What it does

jebi is a supercharged terminal for Mac (Apple Silicon, macOS 14+) that integrates local AI directly into the terminal experience. After every command, it suggests what to run next based on context. When an error occurs, jebi explains it in plain English and suggests a fix. Users can type /ask to open a chat with AI that is grounded in the current session — including command history, output, and working directory. All AI runs on-device using models like Qwen, Phi-3, and Gemma, with no API key, subscription, or cloud dependency.

Beyond AI, jebi offers a modern terminal UI with WebGL rendering for smooth scrollback, split panes, tabs with per-tab accent colors, custom themes (20 handcrafted dark palettes), and slash commands such as /ls (file explorer with inline preview), /ports (live network port inspector), and /run (Makefile & npm script picker). Users can define their own custom slash commands backed by shell scripts. Smart prompt segments show Git branch, Node version, and Python env, clickable to copy. Scrollback search (⌘F) highlights results inline. The terminal also detects TUI apps like vim and htop, switching input mode seamlessly.

Who it is for

jebi is built for developers who live in the terminal — from casual users to power users. It targets Mac users on Apple Silicon who want a beautiful, modern terminal with AI assistance that respects privacy. It is particularly suited for developers who are wary of cloud-based AI terminals (like Warp) and prefer a fully local, session-aware AI that never sends data off the machine. The slash commands and custom command system also appeal to developers who want to streamline repetitive workflows.

Why it matters

Most AI-powered terminals rely on cloud APIs, requiring accounts, subscriptions, and sending terminal data to external servers. jebi differentiates by running all AI locally, ensuring commands and output never leave the user's Mac. Its session-aware /ask feature provides context-rich AI assistance without copy-pasting, which is a significant workflow improvement over generic chat interfaces. The combination of local AI, beautiful UI, and developer-friendly features like split panes, custom commands, and smart prompt segments makes jebi a compelling alternative to both traditional terminals (iTerm2, Terminal.app) and newer AI terminals (Warp).

Launch signal

jebi is currently in beta and free to download. It is distributed via Homebrew (brew tap jebi-sh/tap && brew install --cask jebi). The website includes a download button and a sponsor link, suggesting the project is open to community support. The FAQ addresses common concerns like macOS Gatekeeper blocking the app, and confirms that Intel Macs are not supported. The project appears to be a solo effort by Jawahar Selvaraj, with no disclosed funding or team size.

Brand and naming

The name "jebi" is short, memorable, and easy to type — important for a terminal tool. It does not immediately convey "terminal" or "AI," which may require marketing to establish brand recognition. The tagline "The terminal that thinks with you" positions jebi as a collaborative AI assistant rather than just a terminal emulator. The branding emphasizes privacy ("100% local") and aesthetics ("beautiful interface"), targeting developers who value both functionality and design.