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Comparison to Other Tools

Because you're probably wondering if this is just another ChatGPT wrapper.

vs. GitHub Copilot CLI

Copilot CLI: Suggests commands. You copy-paste.

wtf: Suggests commands. Executes them. Learns your preferences. Remembers context.

Copilot is a suggestion engine. wtf is an execution engine.

vs. Aider

Aider: Edits code files. Great for refactoring.

wtf: Handles terminal commands. Great for "how do I even...?"

Different tools, different problems. Use both.

vs. ChatGPT/Claude in browser

Browser AI: General knowledge. Context-free.

wtf: Terminal-specific. Has your history, git status, project type. Contextual.

Browser AI: "Here's how authentication generally works." wtf: "You're in a Node project with JWT tokens in auth.js line 23. Want me to add refresh token logic?"

vs. tAI (Terminal AI)

tAI: Inspired this project. Simpler, more experimental.

wtf: Production-ready. Permissions system. Memory. Hooks.

tAI proved the concept. wtf made it usable.

Credit where it's due: https://github.com/AbanteAI/tAI

vs. Shell aliases

Aliases: Static shortcuts. alias gs='git status'

wtf: Dynamic reasoning. Understands intent.

Aliases: You remember the shortcut. wtf: You say what you want.

Example: - Alias: deploy-prod - wtf: "deploy to production but check if tests passed first"

Different complexity levels.

vs. Shell completion

Completion: Completes commands you already know.

wtf: Figures out commands you don't know.

Completion: "Tab to finish this git comm..." wtf: "I have no idea how to do this, figure it out."

The Real Question

"Should I use this instead of X?"

Probably use it with X.

  • Use aliases for common commands
  • Use Aider for code changes
  • Use Copilot for suggestions
  • Use wtf when you're confused

They're complementary, not competitive.

What wtf Actually Solves

  1. Context loss - AI knows your terminal state
  2. Command syntax - Don't memorize flags
  3. Error recovery - Hit error, type wtf
  4. Undo - Reverse mistakes easily
  5. Memory - Learns your preferences

If these aren't your problems, you don't need wtf.

If they are, welcome aboard.

Acknowledgments

Standing on shoulders of:

  • tAI - Original inspiration
  • Aider - Showed AI + version control works
  • llm (Simon Willison) - Model abstraction layer
  • Rich - Terminal UI that doesn't suck