Local AI coding assistant for your terminal, GitHub Copilot CLI alternative
Billy is a native terminal-based AI coding assistant that runs entirely on your machine via Ollama. It's a GitHub Copilot CLI alternative, running fully offline. No subscription, no API keys, no data leaving your machine. The core app ships open and is supported through optional setup help, sponsorship, and future convenience bundles. It features an agentic mode where Billy proposes shell commands and runs them with your approval, reads output, self-debugs, and iterates until done. It also has a memory system to save contextual information and a full session history. You can switch Ollama models on the fly and pull new models without leaving the app. The core app stays open-source, with paid paths for convenience and sustainability, not artificial lockouts.
For solopreneurs, Billy.sh enables efficient automation of routine coding tasks directly within the terminal. For example, a freelance developer can use Billy to automatically generate boilerplate code for new projects or refactor existing code based on specific instructions, saving significant development time.
For students learning to code, Billy.sh provides an accessible, offline AI coding assistant to understand complex concepts and debug code without internet dependency. A student can ask Billy to explain a specific algorithm or debug a Python script, receiving immediate, local feedback and code examples.
For remote developers handling sensitive codebases, Billy.sh ensures complete data privacy by running entirely on the local machine via Ollama. A developer working on proprietary software can use Billy to get code explanations or suggestions without ever sending their code to external servers.
For DevOps engineers, Billy.sh facilitates the creation and refinement of complex terminal workflows through its agentic mode. An engineer can instruct Billy to analyze log files, suggest appropriate shell commands for troubleshooting, and even execute them with approval, streamlining incident response.
Billy.sh offers a free core version that provides full local CLI functionality, agent mode, memory, and history. Paid options are available for setup help and future convenience bundles, but the core application remains usable without a subscription.
Installation varies by platform. For macOS and Linux, you can use a curl command for the CLI or Desktop version, or install via Homebrew. Windows users can install via Scoop or download a desktop bundle from GitHub Releases.
Alternatives to Billy.sh include other local AI coding assistants that run via Ollama, as well as cloud-based solutions like GitHub Copilot. The best alternative depends on your specific needs for privacy, offline functionality, and features.
Billy.sh has a free core version. A Pro upgrade is mentioned, starting at $19, with additional support options like setup help and sponsorship available.
Yes, Billy.sh offers a desktop version for macOS and Linux, which can be installed using a provided script or downloaded directly. A Windows desktop bundle is also available.
Billy.sh emphasizes its fully private nature, as all AI processing runs locally via Ollama with zero telemetry or network calls during inference. This local operation inherently enhances data privacy and security.
Billy.sh is a local, offline alternative to GitHub Copilot that runs via Ollama, offering enhanced privacy as your code never leaves your machine. GitHub Copilot is a cloud-based service with a subscription fee. Billy.sh also features an agentic mode for shell command execution with approval.
We're still verifying the official pricing for Billy.sh. In the meantime, the most up-to-date plans and prices are available directly on the publisher's website.
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