chatrepl 0.1.0a2

A Python 2.7+ REPL for interacting with LLMs with an OpenAI Chat Completions-compatible API.

A Python 2.7+ REPL for interacting with LLMs with an OpenAI Chat Completions-compatible API.

Features

• Zero Dependencies: Works with stock Python 2.7+ and 3.x
• Interactive Chat: Natural REPL interface with conversation tracking
• Streaming Responses: See responses as they're generated
• Multiline Input: Support for complex prompts with :multiline
• File Integration: Load prompts from text files with :send <textfile>
• Conversation Persistence: Save/load complete conversations in JSON format
• Enhanced Input: Optional readline support for history and line editing
• Dual Modes: Both interactive REPL and pipe-friendly CLI
• API Ready: Can be imported as a module for programmatic use

Installation

pip install chatrepl

Interactive Mode (CLI)

$ python -m chatrepl \
  --api-key "your-api-key" \
  --base-url "https://api.openai.com/v1" \
  --model "gpt-4o"

Basic Conversation

User [1]: Explain recursion to a 5-year-old

Assistant [1]: Imagine you're holding a doll that has...

Using Files

User [2]: :send code.py
Assistant [2]: I notice this Python code could be improved...

User [3]: :save review_chat.json

Multiline Input

User [4]: :multiline
Enter EOF on a blank line to finish input:
> Compare these programming languages:
> 1. Python
> 2. Rust
> 3. Go
> [Ctrl-D]

Assistant [4]: Here's a comparison:
1. Python - High-level, interpreted...
2. Rust - Systems programming...
3. Go - Compiled, concurrent...

Non-interactive Mode (Piped Input)

$ uname -a | python -m chatrepl --api-key <your_api_key> --base-url <your_base_url> --model <model_name>
The output you've provided appears to be system information from ... [output streamed to STDOUT]

Print Saved Conversations

$ python -m chatrepl --print conversation.json
User [1]: ...

Assistant [1]: ...

Interactive Commands

• :multiline - Enter multiline input mode (end with blank line + Ctrl-D)
• :send TEXTFILE - Send contents of TEXTFILE
• :load JSONFILE - Load conversation from JSONFILE
• :save JSONFILE - Save conversation to JSONFILE
• :help - Show help
• :quit or Ctrl-D - Exit the program

Best Practices

1. For long sessions, periodically save with :save
2. Use :multiline for structured prompts (lists, code, etc.)
3. JSON files can be edited manually for prompt engineering

Programmatic Usage (API)

from chatrepl import Conversation

# Initialize conversation
conv = Conversation(
    api_key="your-api-key",
    base_url="https://api.openai.com/v1",
    model="gpt-4o"
)

# Load conversation
conv.load_messages_from_file("conversation.json")

# Access message history
for msg in conv.messages:
    print(f"{msg['role']}: {msg['content']}")

# Send message and stream response
print("Assistant: ", end="")
for chunk in conv.send_message_to_model_and_stream_response("Hello!"):
    print(chunk, end="")
print()

# Save conversation
conv.save_messages_to_file("conversation.json")

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please submit pull requests or open issues on the GitHub repository.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.