Krave CLI

2.1.1 verified Sat May 09 auth: no javascript

A terminal-native AI coding assistant CLI that connects to proprietary AI models (Krave 4.1 and Krave 4.2) for real-time code generation, debugging, file management, and system automation. Currently at version 2.1.1, released on npm with a focus on CLI-based development. It operates directly in the shell, providing real system access through tools like bash, writefile, spawn, webSearch, and webFetch. Key differentiators: dual-model architecture, autonomous subagents, persistent session management with auto-save/resume, and zero runtime dependencies. Requires Node.js >=18.0.0 and a terminal with Unicode/ANSI color support.

Common errors

error ERR_REQUIRE_ESM: require() of ES Module not supported ↓

cause Using CommonJS require() to import krave-cli, which is ESM-only since v2.

fix

Replace require('krave-cli') with dynamic import: const { default: krave } = await import('krave-cli');

error Error: KRAVE_API_KEY is not set ↓

cause Missing API key environment variable.

fix

Set KRAVE_API_KEY in your shell: export KRAVE_API_KEY='your-api-key'

error Error: Node version must be >=18.0.0 ↓

cause Running krave-cli on an older Node.js version.

fix

Upgrade Node.js to version 18 or later using nvm or your package manager.

Warnings

breaking ESM-only package — require() will throw ERR_REQUIRE_ESM ↓

fix Use import statement instead of require(). If using CommonJS, use dynamic import: import('krave-cli').then(m => m.default(...)).

breaking Node.js >=18 required — older versions will fail to start ↓

fix Update Node.js to version 18 or later.

deprecated krave-4.0 model is deprecated and may be removed in a future version ↓

fix Switch to krave-4.1 or krave-4.2.

gotcha API key must be set via environment variable KRAVE_API_KEY or passed in options; otherwise CLI will exit with an authentication error. ↓

fix Set KRAVE_API_KEY environment variable before running krave.

Install

npm install krave-cli

yarn add krave-cli

pnpm add krave-cli

Imports

default
wrong
```
var krave = require('krave-cli')
```
correct
```
import krave from 'krave-cli'
```
ESM-only since v2. CommonJS require throws ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.
krave
wrong
```
new krave()
```
correct
```
krave()
```
Function call, not constructor. No named exports.
type KraveOptions
wrong
```
import { KraveOptions } from 'krave-cli'
```
correct
```
import type { KraveOptions } from 'krave-cli'
```
KraveOptions is a TypeScript type, not a value. Use import type.

Quickstart

Demonstrates ESM import of Krave CLI, configuration with API key, model selection, session path, and tool enabling.

#!/usr/bin/env node
import krave from 'krave-cli';

const options = {
  apiKey: process.env.KRAVE_API_KEY ?? '',
  model: 'krave-4.2',
  sessionPath: './my-session.json',
  tools: ['bash', 'writefile', 'spawn']
};

krave(options).then(() => {
  console.log('Session ended.');
}).catch(err => {
  console.error('Krave error:', err.message);
  process.exit(1);
});