mimeogram 1.6

Exchange of file collections with LLMs.

📨 A command-line tool for exchanging collections of files with Large Language Models - bundle multiple files into a single clipboard-ready document while preserving directory structure and metadata… good for code reviews, project sharing, and LLM interactions.

Key Features ⭐

• 🔄 Interactive Reviews: Review and apply LLM-proposed changes one by one.

• 📋 Clipboard Integration: Seamless copying and pasting by default.

• 🗂️ Directory Structure: Preserves hierarchical file organization.

• 🛡️ Path Protection: Safeguards against dangerous modifications.

Installation 📦

Method: Download Standalone Executable

Download the latest standalone executable for your platform from GitHub Releases. These executables have no dependencies and work out of the box.

Method: Install Executable Script

Install via the uv tool command:

uv tool install mimeogram

or, run directly with uvx:

uvx mimeogram

Or, install via pipx:

pipx install mimeogram

Method: Install Python Package

Install via uv pip command:

uv pip install mimeogram

Or, install via pip:

pip install mimeogram

Examples 💡

Below are some simple examples. Please see the examples documentation for more detailed usage patterns.

usage: mimeogram [-h] [OPTIONS] {create,apply,provide-prompt,version}

Mimeogram: hierarchical data exchange between humans and LLMs.

╭─ options ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
│ -h, --help              show this help message and exit                      │
│ --configfile {None}|STR                                                      │
│                         (default: None)                                      │
╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
╭─ subcommands ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
│ {create,apply,provide-prompt,version}                                        │
│     create              Creates mimeogram from filesystem locations or URLs. │
│     apply               Applies mimeogram to filesystem locations.           │
│     provide-prompt      Provides LLM prompt text for mimeogram format.       │
│     version             Prints version information.                          │
╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯

Working with Simple LLM Interfaces

Use with browser chat interfaces and API workbenches when you want explicit, portable control over exactly which files are shared with a model. This is useful for interfaces with limited repository tooling and for workflows where uploaded files may have favorable pricing (for example, some project-oriented plans in provider-hosted web interfaces).

• Bundle files with mimeogram format instructions into clipboard.

  mimeogram create src/*.py tests/*.py --prepend-prompt

• Paste instructions and mimeogram into prompt text area in browser.

• Interact with LLM until you are ready to apply results.

• Request mimeogram from LLM and copy it from browser to clipboard.

  • Example: Claude Artifact

• Apply mimeogram parts from clipboard. (On a terminal, this will be interactive by default.)

  mimeogram apply

Note that, if you do not want the LLM to return mimeograms to you, most of the current generation of LLMs are smart enough to understand the format without instructions. Thus, you can save tokens by not explicitly providing mimeogram instructions.

Working with LLM Project Interfaces

Many LLM service providers now offer project-style workspaces that persist instructions and uploaded context across chats. When available, this pairs well with mimeogram by reducing prompt overhead while preserving structured file exchange.

In these cases, you can take advantage of the project instructions so that you do not need to include mimeogram instructions with each new chat:

• Copy mimeogram format instructions into clipboard.

  mimeogram provide-prompt

• Paste mimeogram prompt into project instructions and save the update. Any new chats will be able to reuse the project instructions hereafter.

• Simply create mimeograms for new chats without prepending instructions.

  mimeogram create src/*.py tests/*.py

• Same workflow as chats without project support at this point: interact with LLM, request mimeogram (as necessary), apply mimeogram (as necessary).

Remote URLs

You can also create mimeograms from remote URLs:

mimeogram create https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BurntSushi/aho-corasick/refs/heads/master/src/dfa.rs

Both local and remote files may be bundled together in the same mimeogram.

However, there is no ability to apply a mimeogram to remote URLs.

Interactive Review

During application of a mimeogram, you will be, by default, presented with the chance to review each part to apply. For each part, you will see a menu like this:

src/example.py [2.5K]
Action? (a)pply, (d)iff, (e)dit, (i)gnore, (s)elect hunks, (v)iew >

Choosing a to select the apply action will cause the part to be queued for application once the reivew of all parts is complete. All queued parts are applied simultaneously to prevent thrash in IDEs and language servers as interdependent files are reevaluated.

Filesystem Protection

If an LLM proposes the alteration of a sensitive file, such as one which may contain credentials or affect the operating system, then the program makes an attempt to flag this:

~/.config/sensitive.conf [1.2K] [PROTECTED]
Action? (d)iff, (i)gnore, (p)ermit changes, (v)iew >

If, upon review of the proposed changes, you believe that they are safe, then you can choose p to permit them, followed by a to apply them.

We take AI safety seriously. Please review all LLM-generated content, whether it is flagged for a sensitive destination or not.

Configuration 🔧

Default Location

Mimeogram creates a configuration file on first run. You can find it at:

• Linux: ~/.config/mimeogram/general.toml

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/mimeogram/general.toml

• Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\\mimeogram\\general.toml

Default Settings

[apply]
from-clipboard = true    # Read from clipboard by default

[create]
to-clipboard = true      # Copy to clipboard by default

[prompt]
to-clipboard = true      # Copy prompts to clipboard

[acquire-parts]
fail-on-invalid = false  # Skip invalid files
recurse-directories = false

[update-parts]
disable-protections = false

Motivation 🎯

Why Mimeogram in an Agentic World 💡

• Portable, provider-agnostic format for sharing and applying multi-file changes.

• Works in web interfaces and chat surfaces that do not expose local filesystem tools.

• Useful when you want explicit, auditable context selection instead of full-repository agent access.

• Supports batch exchange workflows, including scenarios where uploaded files can be cheaper than repeated API context transmission.

Technical Benefits ✅

• Preserves hierarchical directory structure.

• Version control friendly. (I.e., honors Git ignore files.)

• Supports async/batch workflows.

Platform Neutrality ☁️

• IDE and platform agnostic.

• Works with and without provider-specific agent tooling.

• Useful with both project-enabled and non-project chat interfaces.

Limitations and Alternatives 🔀

• Manual refresh of files needed (no automatic sync).

• Cannot retract stale content from conversation history in provider GUIs.

• For tight edit/test loops inside a local repository, agentic tools and coding IDEs may be faster.

Comparison of General Approaches ⚖️

Feature	Mimeograms	Projects (Web) [1]	Agentic CLIs [2]	Specialized IDEs [3]
Primary Interaction Model	Bundle/ apply	Chat + uploads	Local tools + chat	IDE-native assistant
Directory Structure	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Version Control	Yes	No [4]	Yes	Yes
Platform Support	Cross- platform	Web	Varies	Varies
Local Repo Live Sync	Manual	No	Yes	Yes
Provider Portability	High	Low	Medium	Low/Medium
Setup Required	Low	None	Medium	Medium
Cost Model	Varies	Usually subscr.	Varies	Usually subscr.

[1]

Provider-hosted project workspaces in web interfaces.

[2]

Aider, Claude Code, Codex CLI, etc…

[3]

Cursor, Windsurf, etc…

[4]

Some hosted interfaces provide versioned artifacts or revision history (for example, Claude artifacts), but these are not integrated with traditional VCS workflows such as Git.

Notes:

• No single column is universally best.

• Mimeogram is designed to complement agentic tools, especially when you need explicit scope control or provider portability.

Comparison with Similar Tools ⚖️

• ai-digest

• dump_dir

• Gitingest

• Repomix

Mimeogram is unique among file collection tools for LLMs in offering round-trip support - the ability to not just collect files but also apply changes proposed by LLMs.

Full Comparison of Tools

Features Matrix

Feature	Mimeogram	Gitingest	Repomix	dump_dir
Round Trips	✓
Clipboard Support	✓		✓	✓
Remote URL Support	✓	✓	✓
Security Checks	✓		✓

Content Selection Approaches

Tools in this space generally follow one of two approaches: filesystem-oriented or repository-oriented.

Tools, like mimeogram, dump_dir, and ai-digest, are oriented around files and directories. You start with nothing and select what is needed. This approach offers more precise control over context window usage and is better suited for targeted analysis or specific features.

Tools, like gitingest and repomix, are oriented around code repositories. You start with an entire repository and then filter out unneeded files and directories. This approach is better for full project comprehension but requires careful configuration to avoid exceeding LLM context window limits.

Contribution 🤝

Contribution to this project is welcome! However, it must follow the code of conduct for the project.

Please file bug reports and feature requests in the issue tracker or submit pull requests to improve the source code or documentation.

For development guidance and standards, please see the development guide.

About the Name 📝

The name “mimeogram” draws from multiple sources:

• 📜 From Ancient Greek roots:

  • μῖμος (mîmos, “mimic”) + -γραμμα (-gramma, “written character, that which is drawn”)

  • Like mimeograph but emphasizing textual rather than pictorial content.

• 📨 From MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions):

  • Follows naming patterns from the Golden Age of Branding: Ford Cruise-o-matic, Ronco Veg-O-Matic, etc….

  • Reflects the MIME-inspired bundle format.

• 📬 Echoes telegram:

  • Emphasizes message transmission.

  • Suggests structured communication.

Note: Despite similar etymology, this project is distinct from the PyPI package mimeograph, which serves different purposes.

Pronunciation? The one similar to mimeograph seems to roll off the tongue more smoothly, though it is one more syllable than “mime-o-gram”. Preferred IPA: /ˈmɪm.i.ˌoʊ.ɡræm/.

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