grutTerminal File Browser with Git & AI Chat

For command-line aficionados, file managers like ranger or lf are staples. But grut steps into this space with a fresh take: it bakes Git status, GitHub collaboration, and AI chat directly into the file browsing experience. This might sound like a lot to cram into one tool, but in practice, it all revolves around a single core idea – keeping you in context without switching applications while you explore your codebase.

Git Status, Always Visible

One of grut's standout features is its left panel, which provides a live display of file and directory Git status. You'll see clear color-coded indicators for modifications, additions, deletions, and conflicts. As you navigate to a specific file, the right panel automatically populates with its Git log and diffs. This eliminates the need to constantly drop back to the terminal to type git log or git diff. This 'follow-the-cursor' responsive panel design drastically reduces context switching, making for a smoother workflow.

GitHub Integration: Collaborate from the Terminal

Beyond local Git, grut also connects with GitHub. You can create Issues directly on files, check the status of Pull Requests, and even initiate Code Reviews without leaving your terminal. This is a pragmatic move for teams that live and breathe GitHub Flow, allowing them to perform most collaborative actions without ever opening a web browser. Of course, you'll need to configure your GitHub Token first, but that's a one-time setup.

AI Chat: Your File-Aware Assistant

grut includes an integrated AI chat panel that intelligently recognizes the file you currently have selected. You can ask questions like, "What does this function do?" or "Help me write a unit test for this," and the AI will provide suggestions based on the file's content. Currently, it supports OpenAI-compatible APIs, but you also have the flexibility to hook it up to local models. It's worth noting that the quality of the AI's responses will depend on the underlying model you choose; grut simply handles the context delivery.

• Responsive Panels: Directory tree, file preview, Git info, and AI chat panels can be freely combined and arranged.
• Keyboard-Driven: Designed with a full suite of vim-style shortcuts, enabling high efficiency once mastered.
• Cross-Platform: Written in Go, grut supports Linux, macOS, and Windows (though a terminal emulator is required for the latter).
• Simple Configuration: Customize colors, keybindings, and AI endpoints via a straightforward YAML file.

Is grut Worth a Try?

grut is still a relatively young project, and its feature set isn't as extensive as established tools like ranger. However, its integrated approach is remarkably clear: it aims to make Git and AI a natural extension of your file browsing. If you're the kind of developer who prefers to do everything in the terminal, especially if you frequently interact with Git and GitHub, grut is definitely worth spending half an hour to explore. It might not replace your primary file manager, but it will certainly show you a novel way to approach terminal tools.