Show HN: Kana – A terminal agent where the human stays in the loop Developer longyijdos released Kana, an open-source, single-binary terminal AI agent that runs with zero telemetry and keeps all configs, sessions, memory, artifacts and logs on the user's machine with 0600/0700 permissions. Kana ships prebuilt for macOS and Linux on arm64 and x64 with no Node.js or Python runtime dependency, requires no account registration, and limits normal execution network access to the user's configured model providers and MCP servers. The agent adds a two-tier local memory architecture (workspace and global), streamed reasoning traces with syntax-highlighted diffs, and reusable :prompt templates plus Markdown Subagent role cards. A lightweight, untracked, and deeply personal terminal AI companion. Instant single binary, zero telemetry. Transparent pairing ends black-box waiting, durable memory stops the amnesia loop, and reusable templates and subagents evolve alongside your workflow. English · 简体中文 https://github.com/longyijdos/kana/blob/main/README.zh-CN.md Kana is an open-source, single-binary, terminal-native AI agent built for coding, system workflows, and tool-driven productivity. From a focused interactive TUI that keeps reasoning, diffs, and execution in flow, to headless kana exec powering scripts and CI pipelines, it delivers a razor-sharp runtime with instant cold starts. Unlike rigid black-box runners, Kana is a companion that evolves alongside you : - Transparent pairing & shared growth : Break away from opaque spinners and passive waiting. With streamed reasoning, syntax-highlighted diffs, and visible traces, Kana doesn't just divide parallel work with you—it demystifies complex problems, helping you master system nuances and grow as you build together; - Durable memory, built-in intuition : Put an end to the frustrating amnesia loop where every new session starts from scratch. Powered by a two-tier local memory architecture, Kana distills your architectural rules, habits, and past edge cases—turning every past correction into lasting intuition; - Self-evolving capability : It doesn't just execute instructions—Kana can turn recurring workflows into reusable :prompt templates and author dedicated Subagent role cards as your needs evolve. The more you use it, the more it shapes itself into your personal toolkit. Sovereign, private, and untracked. Kana sends no telemetry. During normal agent execution, network access is strictly limited to your configured model providers and MCP servers; explicit features such as updates, authentication, or installs access only their respective services. Your configs, sessions, memory, artifacts, and logs stay strictly on your machine. Single binary with zero runtime dependencies—no Node.js or Python required. Prebuilt for macOS and Linux on arm64 and x64: curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/longyijdos/kana/main/scripts/install.sh | bash No account registration needed. Just export your API key and launch Kana inside any project directory: export DEEPSEEK API KEY="sk-..." cd your-project kana Authenticate seamlessly through your browser: kana auth login openai-codex Set it in ~/.kana/config.toml , or switch directly inside the TUI anytime using /model : agent.model provider = "openai-codex" name = "gpt-5.6-sol" Once inside, switch providers, models, or reasoning efforts on the fly with /model . For local endpoints Ollama, vLLM or hosted gateways, connect via the Custom OpenAI-compatible provider https://github.com/longyijdos/kana/blob/main/docs/custom-provider.md . | | Capability | What Makes It Different | |---|---|---| | 🧠 | Durable Memory & Intuition | End the amnesia loop . Two-tier persistent memory workspace & global automatically consolidates your architectural habits, conventions, and past edge cases—turning corrections into lasting intuition across sessions. | | 🤝 | Transparent Synergy & Delegation | No more black-box waiting . Streamed reasoning traces and syntax-highlighted diffs keep execution transparent. Bidirectional delegation lets agent and human tackle complex tasks in parallel. | | 🧬 | Self-Evolving Capability | Grows around your workflow . Turns recurring workflows into reusable :prompt templates and authors specialized Markdown Subagent role cards as your needs evolve—shaping itself around your craft. | | 🛡️ | Zero Telemetry & Local Sovereignty | Pure single binary, instant launch . Zero telemetry, with normal execution strictly limited to your chosen models and MCP servers; sessions, memory, and artifacts are strictly isolated on your disk with 0600 / 0700 permissions. | | ⌨️ | Terminal-Native Craftsmanship | Tailored for terminal purists . Native streaming rendering for Mermaid charts and LaTeX formulas, full syntax diffs, background activity preview strips, input queueing, and pure Readline keyboard flow. | | 🔌 | Open Ecosystem & Model Freedom | No platform lock-in . Out-of-the-box support for DeepSeek, OpenAI Codex browser OAuth, and local Ollama/vLLM endpoints; extensible via AGENTS.md , reusable Skills, and MCP servers. | | ⚙️ | Deterministic Automation & Issue Solving | From interactive terminal to headless workflows . kana exec delivers versioned JSONL event streams and Goal-driven autonomous execution—powering custom automation and resolving repository issues end-to-end. | Once your model is ready, launch Kana inside any project directory: kana Start an empty pairing session kana "diagnose failing tests" Launch directly with an initial task kana resume Interactively resume or prune saved sessions kana --clean Launch an ephemeral, unsaved session Inside the TUI, everything flows naturally through pure keyboard shortcuts and visible cues: - Type / to open the command palette /model to switch models, /memory to inspect memory, /tools for call history, /goal for bounded objectives ; - Type : to open the reusable prompt template palette to expand distilled workflows instantly; - Type @ to open the Skill palette and inject specialized guidance on demand; - Type