pi-claude-cli

A pi extension that routes LLM calls through the Claude Code CLI as a subprocess. Use your Claude Pro/Max subscription as the LLM backend — no API key, no separate billing.

How it works

The extension registers as a custom pi provider exposing all Claude models. Each request spawns a claude -p subprocess using the stream-json wire protocol, with --resume on follow-up turns to reuse the CLI's session state instead of replaying full history. Claude proposes tool calls, pi executes them natively. Custom pi tools are exposed to Claude via a schema-only MCP server.

Requirements

• Claude Code CLI installed and authenticated (claude on PATH)
• A Claude Pro or Max subscription
• pi or GSD

Installation

Add to ~/.gsd/agent/settings.json:

{
  "packages": ["npm:pi-claude-cli"]
}

Then select a Claude model via /model in the interactive UI. All Claude models appear under the pi-claude-cli provider.

Features

• Streams text, thinking, and tool call tokens in real-time
• Maps tool names and arguments bidirectionally between Claude and pi
• Exposes custom pi tools to Claude via MCP (schema-only, no execution)
• Break-early pattern prevents Claude CLI from auto-executing tools
• Session resume via --resume eliminates history replay on follow-up turns
• Configurable thinking effort with elevated budgets for Opus models
• Cross-platform subprocess management (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Inactivity timeout and process registry for cleanup

License

MIT