Quick Start
Runnable first steps with kapi: no install, no setup. These are ad-hoc runs (one command, one file, configured by flags), the right shape for one-off jobs, scripting, and CI. For content you work on repeatedly, you'll graduate to a project; see the end of this page.
Each command below carries a ▸ Run button. Pressing it runs the real
kapi binary in your browser; nothing leaves your machine. The first run
takes a moment to start; after that it's instant.
Pseudo-translate a file
Generate pseudo-translations to test your UI for truncation and layout issues.
Press ▸ Run: it seeds a small messages.json and writes messages-qps.json,
which you can preview in the Files panel:
kapi pseudo-translate messages.json -o messages-qps.jsonThe output is accented text like ▒ Ĥéļļö, Ŵöŕļđ! ▒ that exposes untranslated
strings and layout problems. With no --target-lang, kapi uses the qps
pseudo-locale; pass --target-lang to target a real locale.
Size the content
Estimate translation volume for cost planning:
kapi stats messages.jsonExplore formats, tools, and flows
List every format kapi understands, then the processing tools and composable flows:
kapi formats kapi tools kapi flowsEdit before you run
With editable, the command is placed at the prompt instead of running
automatically; press Enter when you're ready, or tweak it first:
kapi stats messages.json --jsonFor a full interactive terminal, open the CLI Playground.
Beyond the demo
The commands that talk to a model or edit files in place run after you install; each has its own guide:
- Read, check, and edit any file:
kapi inspect,kapi check, and the one write verbkapi apply: Edit content and Check content like tests. - Translate with your AI: one
kapi models setupconfirm connects your Claude subscription, an API key, or a local Ollama model: Translate with your AI. - Keep AI output on-brand: voice profiles, scoring, and rewrite: Brand guide in 10 minutes.
- Drive it from Claude: the Agent Skill and MCP server: Use with Claude.
Next: set up a project
Once you work on the same content more than once, capture the content patterns,
the voice and terms that govern them, your flows and, if you translate, your
languages in a kapi project, so you stop repeating flags and start accumulating
work: create your first project on the
desktop, from your agent, or on the CLI; then kapi up brings it up to date
toward its ship gates (Projects explains the model).