Getting started

The shortest path from a fresh terminal to a compressed git diff. For every install option, see Installation.

1. Install the binary

curl -fsSL https://tok0.dev/install.sh | sh

Check it landed:

tok0 --version

You’ll see something like tok0 0.x.x.

2. Run tok0 init

tok0 init

This finds every supported AI tool on your machine and installs the right hook, rules file, or AGENTS.md entry:

✓ claude-code     → ~/.claude/settings.json (PreToolUse hook)
✓ cursor          → printed paste-in (Settings → Rules)
✓ gemini-cli      → ~/.gemini/GEMINI.md
- windsurf        not detected

Tools marked ✓ install automatically. GUI-only tools (Cursor, Kimi Code) print a paste-in step instead — usually a few lines into a Settings panel.

3. Run a command through your agent

Open your agent and ask it to run a compressible command — git diff, cargo test, npm install, kubectl get pods. The agent sees the compressed output; you see the raw output in your terminal.

To try it directly:

tok0 git diff

Exit code, stderr, and content are preserved. Only the model-bound representation shrinks.

4. Check the savings

tok0 stats

Per-command compression ratios, total tokens saved, a 30-day rolling chart — all from the local SQLite meter at ~/.config/tok0/meter.db. None of it leaves your machine unless you opt into telemetry.

Common follow-ups

• tok0 doctor — which hooks are wired and which aren’t.
• tok0 status — current bridge state per AI tool.
• tok0 verify — SHA-256-checks every installed hook against tok0’s signed manifest.