Oracle CLI second-model review/debug/refactor/design with selected files, dry-run token checks, API or browser engine.
oracle
Oracle bundles a prompt + selected files for one second-model pass. Treat output as advisory; verify against code + tests.
Main path
Current CLI default model: gpt-5.5-pro. Browser engine is useful for long ChatGPT Pro runs; API engine is useful when OPENAI_API_KEY or Azure config is ready.
Recommended defaults:
Preview first: --dry-run summary --files-report
Browser long run: --engine browser --model gpt-5.5-pro
API explicit: --engine api --model gpt-5.5
Golden path
Pick a tight file set (fewest files that still contain the truth).
Preview payload + token spend (--dry-run + --files-report).
Use browser mode for long Pro thinking; API mode for explicit API calls.
If the run detaches/timeouts: reattach to the stored session. Do not blindly re-run.
Commands (preferred)
Help:
oracle --help
If the binary isn't installed: npx -y @steipete/oracle --help (avoid pnpx here; sqlite bindings).
Preview (no tokens):
oracle --dry-run summary -p "<task>" --file "src/**" --file "!**/*.test.*"
oracle --dry-run full -p "<task>" --file "src/**"
Token sanity:
oracle --dry-run summary --files-report -p "<task>" --file "src/**"
Browser run (main path; long-running is normal):
oracle --engine browser --model gpt-5.5-pro -p "<task>" --file "src/**"
Manual paste fallback:
oracle --render --copy -p "<task>" --file "src/**"
Note: --copy is a hidden alias for --copy-markdown.
Attaching files (--file)
--file accepts files, directories, and globs. You can pass it multiple times; entries can be comma-separated.
Include:
--file "src/**"
--file src/index.ts
--file docs --file README.md
Exclude:
--file "src/**" --file "!src/**/*.test.ts" --file "!**/*.snap"
Defaults (implementation behavior):
Default-ignored dirs: node_modules, dist, coverage, .git, .turbo, .next, build, tmp (skipped unless explicitly passed as literal dirs/files).
Honors .gitignore when expanding globs.
Does not follow symlinks.
Dotfiles filtered unless opted in via pattern (e.g. --file ".github/**").
Files > 1 MB rejected.
Engines (API vs browser)
Auto-pick: api when OPENAI_API_KEY is set; otherwise browser.
Browser supports GPT + Gemini only; use --engine api for Claude/Grok/Codex or multi-model runs.
Browser attachments:
--browser-attachments auto|never|always (auto pastes inline up to ~60k chars then uploads).
Remote browser host:
Host: oracle serve --host 0.0.0.0 --port 9473 --token <secret>
Client: oracle --engine browser --remote-host <host:port> --remote-token <secret> -p "<task>" --file "src/**"
Sessions + slugs
Stored under ~/.oracle/sessions (override with ORACLE_HOME_DIR).
Runs may detach or take a long time (browser + Pro often does). If the CLI times out: do not re-run; reattach.
List: oracle status --hours 72
Attach: oracle session <id> --render
Use --slug "<3-5 words>" to keep session IDs readable.
Duplicate prompt guard exists; use --force only when you truly want a fresh run.
Prompt template (high signal)
Oracle starts with zero project knowledge. Assume the model cannot infer your stack, build tooling, conventions, or "obvious" paths. Include:
Project briefing (stack + build/test commands + platform constraints).
"Where things live" (key directories, entrypoints, config files, boundaries).
Exact question + what you tried + the error text (verbatim).
Constraints ("don't change X", "must keep public API", etc).
Desired output ("return patch plan + tests", "give 3 options with tradeoffs").
Safety
Don't attach secrets by default (.env, key files, auth tokens). Redact aggressively; share only what's required.
"Exhaustive prompt" restoration pattern
For long investigations, write a standalone prompt + file set so you can rerun days later:
6-30 sentence project briefing + the goal.
Repro steps + exact errors + what you tried.
Attach all context files needed (entrypoints, configs, key modules, docs).
Oracle runs are one-shot; the model doesn't remember prior runs. "Restoring context" means re-running with the same prompt + --file … set (or reattaching a still-running stored session).
27don't have the plugin yet? install it then click "run inline in claude" again.