# k0ntext CLI Commands Reference Complete reference for all k0ntext v3.1.0 CLI commands. ## Quick Reference | Command | Purpose | Use Case | |---------|---------|----------| | `k0ntext init` | Initialize project | First-time setup | | `k0ntext generate` | Generate contexts | Add AI tools | | `k0ntext mcp` | Start MCP server | For AI tools with MCP support | | `k0ntext sync` | Sync contexts | After manual changes | | `k0ntext cleanup` | Remove unused tools | When switching tools | | `k0ntext validate` | Validate contexts | Before committing | | `k0ntext export` | Export database | Backup or transfer | | `k0ntext import` | Import context | Restore from backup | | `k0ntext performance` | Show metrics | When system is slow | | `k0ntext watch` | Auto-index files | During active development | | `k0ntext drift-detect` | Detect drift | When code changes | | `k0ntext cross-sync` | Cross-tool sync | After drift detected | | `k0ntext hooks` | Git hooks | For automation | | `k0ntext fact-check` | Validate docs | Quality assurance | | `k0ntext index` | Index codebase | After adding files | | `k0ntext search ` | Search content | Finding code/workflows | | `k0ntext stats` | View statistics | Check indexing status | --- ## Detailed Commands ### Initialization Commands #### `k0ntext init` Initialize project with intelligent analysis. ```bash k0ntext init [project-name] k0ntext init --no-intelligent # Skip OpenRouter analysis ``` **What it does:** - Analyzes project structure and tech stack - Discovers existing documentation and workflows - Detects configured AI tools - Initializes SQLite database - Configures MCP server for supported AI tools **When to use:** - First-time setup for a new project - When starting to use k0ntext on an existing project **Output:** - Database initialized at `.k0ntext.db` - MCP server configured in `.claude/settings.json` - Analysis results displayed --- #### `k0ntext generate` Generate context files for AI tools. ```bash k0ntext generate k0ntext generate --tools claude,cursor,continue k0ntext generate --all ``` **What it does:** - Generates context files for specified AI tools - Populates templates with discovered information - Creates tool-specific configurations **When to use:** - After running `k0ntext init` - When adding support for new AI tools - After making significant architectural changes **Output:** - Context files generated in tool-specific directories --- #### `k0ntext mcp` Start the MCP server for AI tools. ```bash k0ntext mcp k0ntext mcp --db .k0ntext.db ``` **What it does:** - Starts the Model Context Protocol server - Enables AI tools to query indexed content - Provides semantic search capabilities **When to use:** - When using AI tools with MCP support (Claude Code, Cursor, Continue) - For real-time context access during development **Output:** - MCP server running on stdio --- ### Synchronization Commands #### `k0ntext sync` Synchronize context across AI tools. ```bash k0ntext sync k0ntext sync --tools claude,cursor k0ntext sync --force ``` **What it does:** - Propagates context changes to all configured AI tools - Ensures consistency across tool-specific directories - Updates tool-specific configurations **When to use:** - After manually modifying context files - After running `k0ntext generate` - To ensure all tools have the latest context **Output:** - Sync status for each tool --- #### `k0ntext cross-sync` Intelligent cross-tool synchronization. ```bash k0ntext cross-sync k0ntext cross-sync --detect-drift k0ntext cross-sync --fix ``` **What it does:** - Detects differences between tool contexts - Intelligently merges changes - Resolves conflicts using AI **When to use:** - After `k0ntext drift-detect` identifies issues - When manual edits have created inconsistencies - Before major commits to ensure alignment **Output:** - Cross-sync report with conflicts resolved --- ### Validation Commands #### `k0ntext validate` Validate context files. ```bash k0ntext validate k0ntext validate --strict k0ntext validate --fix ``` **What it does:** - Checks context file structure - Validates required fields - Ensures link integrity **When to use:** - Before committing changes - After modifying context files - As part of CI/CD pipeline **Output:** - Validation report with errors and warnings --- #### `k0ntext drift-detect` AI-powered drift detection. ```bash k0ntext drift-detect k0ntext drift-detect --workflow authentication k0ntext drift-detect --fix ``` **What it does:** - Uses AI to compare documentation with code - Detects outdated line references - Identifies missing or incorrect documentation **When to use:** - After code changes - Before documentation updates - For regular maintenance checks **Output:** - Drift detection report with recommendations --- #### `k0ntext fact-check` Validate documentation accuracy. ```bash k0ntext fact-check k0ntext fact-check --file docs/api.md k0ntext fact-check --strict ``` **What it does:** - Validates documentation against current code - Checks accuracy of statements - Identifies potential errors or omissions **When to use:** - Quality assurance before releases - After documentation updates - For critical documentation verification **Output:** - Fact-check report with accuracy scores --- ### Database Commands #### `k0ntext index` Index codebase into database. ```bash k0ntext index k0ntext index --all k0ntext index --docs k0ntext index --code k0ntext index --tools k0ntext index --verbose ``` **What it does:** - Discovers and indexes project files - Generates embeddings for semantic search (with API key) - Stores file metadata and content **When to use:** - After adding new files - Before using semantic search - For initial database population **Output:** - Indexing statistics (files discovered, indexed, embeddings generated) --- #### `k0ntext search ` Search indexed content. ```bash k0ntext search "authentication flow" k0ntext search "API endpoint" --type code k0ntext search "database" --limit 20 k0ntext search "user" --mode semantic k0ntext search "payment" --mode text k0ntext search "webhook" --mode hybrid ``` **What it does:** - Searches indexed codebase content - Supports text, semantic, and hybrid search modes - Returns ranked results with file paths **When to use:** - Finding related code or documentation - Discovering patterns and implementations - Locating workflow references **Search Modes:** - `text` - Pure keyword search - `semantic` - Vector similarity search (requires API key) - `hybrid` - Combined text and semantic (default) **Output:** - Ranked search results with file paths and relevance scores --- #### `k0ntext stats` View database statistics. ```bash k0ntext stats k0ntext stats --verbose ``` **What it does:** - Displays database item counts - Shows indexing statistics - Lists database file location **When to use:** - Checking indexing status - Verifying database health - Understanding database size and contents **Output:** - Statistics table showing items, relations, commits, embeddings, tool configs --- ### Utility Commands #### `k0ntext export` Export database to file. ```bash k0ntext export k0ntext export --file backup.json k0ntext export --format json ``` **What it does:** - Exports entire database to JSON file - Includes all indexed items, embeddings, and metadata - Creates portable backup **When to use:** - Creating backups before major changes - Transferring context between projects - Sharing context with team members **Output:** - JSON file with complete database export --- #### `k0ntext import` Import context from file. ```bash k0ntext import k0ntext import --file backup.json k0ntext import --merge ``` **What it does:** - Imports database from JSON file - Restores indexed content and embeddings - Optionally merges with existing data **When to use:** - Restoring from backup - Loading context shared by team - Migrating between projects **Output:** - Import statistics with items added --- #### `k0ntext cleanup` Remove unused AI tool folders. ```bash k0ntext cleanup k0ntext cleanup --dry-run k0ntext cleanup --keep claude,cursor ``` **What it does:** - Identifies unused AI tool directories - Removes stale configuration files - Cleans up orphaned context files **When to use:** - When switching between AI tools - Removing tools no longer in use - General cleanup and maintenance **Output:** - Cleanup report with folders removed --- #### `k0ntext performance` Show performance metrics. ```bash k0ntext performance k0ntext performance --detailed ``` **What it does:** - Displays system performance metrics - Shows database query times - Identifies bottlenecks **When to use:** - When system is slow - Optimizing performance - Debugging issues **Output:** - Performance metrics report --- #### `k0ntext watch` Auto-index on file changes. ```bash k0ntext watch k0ntext watch --debounce 1000 k0ntext watch --include "src/**/*" ``` **What it does:** - Watches for file changes - Automatically reindexes modified files - Runs in background during development **When to use:** - During active development - For continuous index updates - When frequently modifying files **Output:** - Watch status with file changes detected --- #### `k0ntext hooks` Git hooks management. ```bash k0ntext hooks install k0ntext hooks uninstall k0ntext hooks list ``` **What it does:** - Installs git hooks for automation - Configures pre-commit validation - Enables automatic context updates **When to use:** - Setting up automation - Enforcing validation on commits - For team-wide consistency **Output:** - Hook installation status --- ## Command Categories ### Setup Commands - `k0ntext init` - Initialize project - `k0ntext generate` - Generate contexts - `k0ntext mcp` - Start MCP server ### Sync Commands - `k0ntext sync` - Sync contexts - `k0ntext cross-sync` - Cross-tool sync - `k0ntext cleanup` - Remove unused tools ### Validation Commands - `k0ntext validate` - Validate contexts - `k0ntext drift-detect` - Detect drift - `k0ntext fact-check` - Validate accuracy ### Database Commands - `k0ntext index` - Index codebase - `k0ntext search` - Search content - `k0ntext stats` - View statistics ### Utility Commands - `k0ntext export` - Export database - `k0ntext import` - Import database - `k0ntext performance` - Show metrics - `k0ntext watch` - Auto-index - `k0ntext hooks` - Git hooks --- ## Integration with AI Tools ### Claude Code - MCP server: `k0ntext mcp` - Config file: `.claude/settings.json` - Auto-configured by: `k0ntext init` ### Cursor - MCP server: `k0ntext mcp` - Config file: `.cursor/mcp.json` - Manual setup required ### Continue - MCP server: `k0ntext mcp` - Config file: `.continue/config.json` - Manual setup required ### Other Tools - Windsurf, Cline, Gemini, Aider, Antigravity, Copilot - Context file generation only - No MCP support --- ## Common Workflows ### First-Time Setup ```bash k0ntext init # Initialize project k0ntext index --all # Index all files k0ntext stats # Verify indexing k0ntext mcp # Start MCP server ``` ### Daily Development ```bash k0ntext watch # Start auto-indexing # ... make changes ... k0ntext drift-detect # Check for drift k0ntext validate # Validate before commit ``` ### Adding AI Tool ```bash k0ntext generate --tools claude,cursor # Generate contexts k0ntext sync # Sync across tools k0ntext validate # Validate setup ``` ### Team Collaboration ```bash k0ntext export --file team-context.json # Export for team k0ntext import --file team-context.json # Import from team k0ntext cross-sync # Sync changes ``` --- ## Environment Variables | Variable | Description | Default | |----------|-------------|---------| | `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` | OpenRouter API key for intelligent analysis | - | | `K0NTEXT_PROJECT_ROOT` | Project root path (auto-set) | `cwd` | | `K0NTEXT_DB_PATH` | Database file path | `.k0ntext.db` | --- ## Configuration Files | File | Purpose | |------|---------| | `.k0ntext.db` | SQLite database | | `.claude/settings.json` | Claude Code settings (includes MCP config) | | `.k0ntext/sync-state.json` | Sync state tracking | | `.git/hooks/pre-commit` | Git hooks (if installed) | --- ## Version **k0ntext:** v3.1.0 **Documentation Last Updated:** 2026-02-08