Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about DeepSeek TUI and how we explain it on this site. For step-by-step instructions, jump to the guides linked in each answer.
What is DeepSeek TUI?
DeepSeek TUI is an open-source terminal coding agent built around DeepSeek models (especially V4). It runs as a full-screen terminal app so you can read files, run commands, edit code, and use tools without leaving the terminal.
Is DeepSeek TUI an official DeepSeek product?
No. It is an independent open-source project that uses DeepSeek’s APIs and ecosystem. This site is unofficial documentation for users.
What does “TUI” mean?
Terminal User Interface — a text-based full-screen app in your terminal, not a browser tab or VS Code panel.
Do I need to pay to use DeepSeek TUI?
The software is free. Running it against DeepSeek’s cloud API uses billed tokens (see our pricing page). Local routing through Ollama or your own server shifts cost to your hardware instead.
Which mode should beginners use?
Start in Plan mode for read-only exploration. Switch to Agent mode when you want edits and commands with approvals. Reserve YOLO for trusted throwaway environments only.
Does DeepSeek TUI support local models?
Yes, indirectly. You can point providers like Ollama, vLLM, or SGLang at compatible endpoints. Quality and speed depend on your hardware and the checkpoint you serve.
What is RLM?
A DeepSeek TUI feature for breaking large or parallel work into sub-tasks so the agent can chunk or fan out work instead of one giant prompt.
What is MCP?
Model Context Protocol — a way to attach external tools (databases, browsers, GitHub, etc.) so the agent can call them like native capabilities.
Where is the configuration file?
Typically `~/.deepseek/config.toml` on macOS/Linux and `%USERPROFILE%\.deepseek\config.toml` on Windows.
How do I reduce token spend?
Default to V4-Flash, reuse stable context so cache-hit pricing applies, use Plan mode before large exploratory reads, and escalate to V4-Pro only for harder reasoning steps.
Which terminal should I use on Windows?
Windows Terminal is recommended. WSL2 is a good option if you prefer a Linux-style environment.
Where do I get DeepSeek TUI?
See the Installation page and the official GitHub repository linked from the header for packages and release notes.
Still stuck?
Consult the official DeepSeek TUI repository for release-specific docs, then cross-check Configuration and Installation here.