# DSH Mini TUI — Minimal Terminal Plugin for DeepSeek Harness

English | [中文](README.md)

A minimalist terminal UI plugin for [DeepSeek Harness (DSH)](https://github.com/deepseek-ai/deepseek-harness). It keeps the complete agent and tool workflow while moving routine execution activity out of the way, leaving the terminal focused on your input and the model's final answer.

The interface, npm package, and GitHub repository share the name **DSH Mini TUI** / [`dsh-mini-tui`](https://github.com/boxeryao/dsh-mini-tui): `Mini` describes less interface noise, not fewer Harness capabilities. Its playful Chinese nickname can continue as **“单身汉 Mini TUI”**, based on the sound of the DSH initials.

![DSH Mini TUI — Welcome to DeepSeek](assets/dsh-mini-tui-welcome.png)

![New DeepSeek Harness TUI startup screen](assets/tui-startup-dashboard.png)

## How DSH and Mini TUI fit together

**DSH Mini TUI is the terminal presentation plugin for DeepSeek Harness, not a standalone agent framework.** It controls how users enter messages, follow activity, and read answers in the terminal. DSH still owns how models and agents run.

DSH Mini TUI and [dsh-TUI](https://github.com/ccch1mneyyy/dsh-TUI) are independent plugin implementations in the community terminal-interface ecosystem for DeepSeek Harness.

```text
dsh --profile tui
       │
       ▼
DeepSeek Harness (runtime and plugin system)
       │
       ├── model routing and credentials
       ├── standard Agent preset
       ├── tool execution and approvals
       ├── Sessions, logs, and persistence
       └── dsh-mini-tui (terminal presentation)
              ├── input and streamed answers
              ├── answer-first tool output
              ├── activity and failure states
              └── redraws, titles, and terminal interaction
```

| DeepSeek Harness owns | DSH Mini TUI owns |
| --- | --- |
| Model selection, routing, and calls | Startup screen, input, and answer rendering |
| Agent lifecycle and the `standard` preset | Answer-first conversation layout and activity states |
| Scoped tools, approvals, and cancellation | Terminal commands such as `/verbose` and `/tool N` |
| Session logs and the complete execution record | Resize redraws, window titles, and the Windows terminal experience |
| The DSH plugin ecosystem and capability composition | A restrained TUI surface for those capabilities |

Installing or removing Mini TUI therefore changes **the interface to DSH**. It does not replace DSH with another agent or reduce DSH's model, tool, or Session capabilities.

## What Mini means: less process, more answer

The design principle is simple: **tools should keep working without taking over the screen.** Less routine status output means clearer context, less scrolling, and a conversation that is easier to read from beginning to end.

- **Gradient identity** — the `DEEPSEEK` wordmark uses a true-color cyan-to-deep-blue gradient for a distinct, consistent terminal identity.
- **Compact runtime context** — only the active model, working directory, and `/help` hint remain below the wordmark; Session ID, platform version, permission mode, and the shortcut panel no longer crowd the dashboard.
- **Deep-sea palette** — input borders, status labels, paths, and the thinking indicator share a restrained ocean palette designed for extended terminal use.
- **Stable path colors** — file and directory references receive deterministic colors, making targets easier to find in logs and retained tool details.
- **Answer-first conversation flow** — successful tool calls stay hidden by default, so the terminal primarily shows user input and model responses; failures still surface as one compact line instead of disappearing silently.
- **Details on demand** — minimal does not mean lost information. `/verbose` reveals subsequent tool output, `/tool N` opens retained call details, and the complete record remains durable in the DSH Session log.
- **Private thinking state** — a concise `[thinking]` indicator appears during model reasoning without printing internal reasoning content.

This is a deliberate tradeoff: **the interface is Mini; the capability is not.** DSH continues to own model routing, tool execution, approvals, the agent lifecycle, and Session persistence.

## Why this plugin

- **Lightweight** — one focused terminal presentation layer with no Web application runtime.
- **Fast workflow** — responsive multi-line input, direct keyboard controls, and tool activity that stays out of the conversation by default.
- **Deep-sea visual language** — the startup dashboard, status labels, path references, and thinking state share one restrained ocean palette.
- **Native DSH integration** — uses DSH's scoped tools, approvals, agent lifecycle, and durable Session log directly.

## Quick install

Install the latest DSH Mini TUI package from npm into the DSH `tui` profile:

```powershell
dsh plugin --profile tui add dsh-mini-tui@latest
dsh --profile tui
```

> Note: the `deepseek-harness-tui` package on npm belongs to a different project. The correct package name for this project is `dsh-mini-tui`.

## Launch from Windows Explorer

DSH Mini TUI includes a current-user context-menu installer. After installation, launch it from a directory background, a directory itself, or a drive:

- **Open DSH TUI here** — opens the selected directory with the standard permission mode.
- **Open DSH TUI full access** — opens it with `danger-full-access`; this mode is enabled only when that explicit menu item is selected.

After installing the npm package into the default `tui` profile, run:

```powershell
& "$HOME\.dsh\profiles\tui\node_modules\dsh-mini-tui\scripts\install-dsh-tui-context-menu.cmd"
```

When developing from this checkout, run:

```powershell
.\scripts\install-dsh-tui-context-menu.cmd
```

To remove both entries:

```powershell
.\scripts\uninstall-dsh-tui-context-menu.cmd
```

Installation and removal modify only `HKEY_CURRENT_USER` and do not require administrator rights. The menu ultimately runs `dsh --profile tui`, so DSH still provides the model, agent, and tool runtime.

## Requirements

- Node.js 22.19 or later, or Node.js 24+
- pnpm 11+
- An existing DeepSeek Harness `0.1.0-rc.6` installation
- A model credential already configured in DSH, either through its credentials service or the launching environment

## Develop from this checkout

```powershell
pnpm install
pnpm run build
pnpm test
dsh plugin --profile tui add .
dsh --profile tui
```

The `dsh plugin --profile tui add .` command installs the current source checkout; regular users should prefer the npm quick-install command above. The package consumes published `@deepseek-ai/*` packages at `0.1.0-rc.6`; it has no monorepo-relative or `workspace:^` dependency.

## Input and commands

- Enter sends the current message.
- Shift+Enter or Ctrl+J inserts a newline.
- Ctrl+V accepts bracketed multi-line paste; `/paste` reads the Windows clipboard directly.
- `/cancel` or Ctrl+C cancels the active task.
- `/verbose` toggles bounded tool output for subsequent calls.
- `/tool N` prints the retained input and result for call number `N`.
- `/help` lists commands; `/exit` or `/quit` closes the session.

Tool calls are quiet by default; failed calls print only one compact line. `/verbose` shows numbered summaries and bounded details for subsequent calls, and `/tool N` can inspect recently retained inputs and results. `toolDetailMaxLines` and `toolDetailMaxCharacters` default to 80 lines and 8,000 characters. `toolDetailHistoryLimit` keeps the latest 200 calls available to `/tool N`; older details leave process memory while complete values remain in the DSH Session log.

## Scope

This repository owns only the terminal presentation plugin. DSH owns model routing, tools, permissions, persistence, and agent execution. The TUI is line-oriented and does not provide the Web client's graphical cards, session navigation, or full-screen scrollback.

## License

[MIT](LICENSE)