Installation
Release assets, first-run setup, project trust, and the first thread.
pi-kit is an Electron desktop application for the pi coding agent. It uses pi's sessions, models, tools, and extensions. The desktop interface adds project navigation, code review, Settings, and an embedded browser.
Install a release#
The current public download is pi-kit 0.7.0 for macOS on Apple Silicon (123.1 MiB). It is hosted separately from the website and does not require GitHub access.
| Platform | Download | Installation |
|---|---|---|
| macOS, Apple Silicon | pi-kit-0.7.0-mac-arm64.dmg | Open the image and drag pi-kit to Applications. |
The application also has packaging targets for macOS ZIP archives and Windows x64/ARM64 installers and portable executables. Those are not linked here until corresponding public assets are available. Files such as
latest.yml and .blockmap are updater metadata, not installers.Verify the download
The SHA-256 for
pi-kit-0.7.0-mac-arm64.dmg is:66d0171bf14827f5f253b2c8d3593d22f5124728849bf8ce19f46fcc9d0e42a8
Run this in Terminal and compare the output with the hash above:
shasum -a 256 ~/Downloads/pi-kit-0.7.0-mac-arm64.dmg
Alternatively, download the checksum file into the same folder as the DMG, then verify both with:
cd ~/Downloads
shasum -a 256 -c pi-kit-0.7.0-mac-arm64.dmg.sha256
The result should report
pi-kit-0.7.0-mac-arm64.dmg: OK. A matching checksum checks file integrity; it does not establish code-signing or notarization status.macOS signature and notarization
The published 0.7.0 macOS ARM64 DMG is Developer ID signed and Apple notarized. Its SHA-256 matches the locally verified release artifact.
| Check | Verified result |
|---|---|
| Signing identity | Developer ID Application: CodeRabbit GmbH (RNK7YZ53MM) |
| Publisher | CodeRabbit GmbH |
| Apple Developer Team ID | RNK7YZ53MM |
| DMG signature | Valid under strict verification |
| App inside the DMG | Valid under deep, strict verification, including nested components |
| Notarization tickets | Stapled and valid for both the DMG and contained app |
| Gatekeeper assessment | Both accepted as Notarized Developer ID |
To check the downloaded DMG's signature and Gatekeeper assessment yourself:
codesign --verify --strict --verbose=2 ~/Downloads/pi-kit-0.7.0-mac-arm64.dmg
spctl --assess --type open --context context:primary-signature --verbose=2 ~/Downloads/pi-kit-0.7.0-mac-arm64.dmg
Gatekeeper should report
accepted and source=Notarized Developer ID. With Apple's command-line tools installed, you can also validate the stapled ticket:xcrun stapler validate ~/Downloads/pi-kit-0.7.0-mac-arm64.dmg
These checks apply to this versioned artifact, not to every local development build.
For a source installation, see Development.
Configure a model#
First-run setup includes:
- Welcome: detected configuration and prerequisites.
- Get a model: a provider sign-in, API key, or local connection.
- Defaults: the model and other defaults for new threads.
- Open a folder: the project directory.
- First prompt: the initial conversation.
Existing pi configuration can be reused.
/setup reopens onboarding. Additional connections can be added in Settings → Providers.See Connect a model for authentication options and Local models for Hugging Face downloads and llama-swap configuration.
Open a project#
Choose a folder during setup or use Add a project… in the sidebar. A project may contain extensions, skills, MCP servers, and setup scripts. The trust dialog lists project resources before loading them.
Review or change a saved trust decision in Settings → Projects. See Trust and storage for the distinction between project trust and tool access.
Start a thread#
Choose +, check the project and model, and enter a request. In a Git repository, the placement row offers Local or Worktree. Local uses the existing checkout; Worktree creates a separate checkout when the first message is sent.
For example:
Read the README and package scripts. List the commands used to run the application and its tests. Do not edit files.
Tool calls and their results appear in the transcript. After requesting an edit, open Changes to review the diff. See Threads and Worktrees and review for those controls.
Open a web preview#
Start the project's development server, open Artifacts, and enter the HTTP address printed by the server. The desktop app and agent share that browser page. Browser documentation covers navigation; Screenshots and inspection covers attaching page context to a message.