---
summary: "CLI reference for `klaw tui` (Gateway-backed or local embedded terminal UI)"
read_when:
  - You want a terminal UI for the Gateway (remote-friendly)
  - You want to pass url/token/session from scripts
  - You want to run the TUI in local embedded mode without a Gateway
  - You want to use klaw chat or klaw tui --local
title: "TUI"
---

# `klaw tui`

Open the terminal UI connected to the Gateway, or run it in local embedded
mode.

Related:

- TUI guide: [TUI](/web/tui)

## Options

| Flag                  | Default                                   | Description                                                                        |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--local`             | `false`                                   | Run against the local embedded agent runtime instead of a Gateway.                 |
| `--url <url>`         | `gateway.remote.url` from config          | Gateway WebSocket URL.                                                             |
| `--token <token>`     | (none)                                    | Gateway token if required.                                                         |
| `--password <pass>`   | (none)                                    | Gateway password if required.                                                      |
| `--session <key>`     | `main` (or `global` when scope is global) | Session key. Inside an agent workspace it auto-selects that agent unless prefixed. |
| `--deliver`           | `false`                                   | Deliver assistant replies through configured channels.                             |
| `--thinking <level>`  | (model default)                           | Thinking level override.                                                           |
| `--message <text>`    | (none)                                    | Send an initial message after connecting.                                          |
| `--timeout-ms <ms>`   | `agents.defaults.timeoutSeconds`          | Agent timeout. Invalid values log a warning and are ignored.                       |
| `--history-limit <n>` | `200`                                     | History entries to load on attach.                                                 |

Aliases: `klaw chat` and `klaw terminal` invoke the same command with `--local` implied.

Notes:

- `chat` and `terminal` are aliases for `klaw tui --local`.
- `--local` cannot be combined with `--url`, `--token`, or `--password`.
- `tui` resolves configured gateway auth SecretRefs for token/password auth when possible (`env`/`file`/`exec` providers).
- When launched from inside a configured agent workspace directory, TUI auto-selects that agent for the session key default (unless `--session` is explicitly `agent:<id>:...`).
- Local mode uses the embedded agent runtime directly. Most local tools work, but Gateway-only features are unavailable.
- Local mode adds `/auth [provider]` inside the TUI command surface.
- Plugin approval gates still apply in local mode. Tools that require approval prompt for a decision in the terminal; nothing is silently auto-approved because the Gateway is not involved.

## Examples

```bash
klaw chat
klaw tui --local
klaw tui
klaw tui --url ws://127.0.0.1:18789 --token <token>
klaw tui --session main --deliver
klaw chat --message "Compare my config to the docs and tell me what to fix"
# when run inside an agent workspace, infers that agent automatically
klaw tui --session bugfix
```

## Config repair loop

Use local mode when the current config already validates and you want the
embedded agent to inspect it, compare it against the docs, and help repair it
from the same terminal:

If `klaw config validate` is already failing, use `klaw configure` or
`klaw doctor --fix` first. `klaw chat` does not bypass the invalid-
config guard.

```bash
klaw chat
```

Then inside the TUI:

```text
!klaw config file
!klaw docs gateway auth token secretref
!klaw config validate
!klaw doctor
```

Apply targeted fixes with `klaw config set` or `klaw configure`, then
rerun `klaw config validate`. See [TUI](/web/tui) and [Config](/cli/config).

## Related

- [CLI reference](/cli)
- [TUI](/web/tui)