Several AI Command Line Interfaces (CLIs) offer native PowerShell modules to facilitate easier setup and integration for users working in PowerShell environments. These modules provide seamless interaction between PowerShell and AI models, enabling script automation, error interpretation, code generation, and AI-assisted command creation directly from the PowerShell console. Below is a detailed overview of significant AI CLIs with native PowerShell support, their features, setup processes, and capabilities.
AI Shell for PowerShell
AI Shell is an interactive command shell designed specifically for PowerShell users. It integrates AI chat capabilities into the Windows command line environment, enabling users to interact with AI agents tailored to assist in scripting, command generation, and debugging.
- Installation and Setup: AI Shell requires Windows 10 or newer and PowerShell Core version 7.4.6 or higher. Installing AI Shell involves running an official installation script that installs the core executable (`aish.exe`) and the AIShell PowerShell module. Once installed, you import the AIShell module and start it with the `Start-AIShell` command, which opens a split pane in Windows Terminal dedicated to AI interactions.
- AI Agent Support: Two AI agents come pre-installedâOpenAI's GPT model (`open-gpt`) and Azure Copilot (`azure`). Users must configure the chosen agent by providing API keys and endpoint information in a JSON configuration file accessed via the `/agent config` command.
- On-Premises AI Support: Besides cloud-based AI, AI Shell supports integration with local large language models (LLMs) like Ollama. This setup involves installing Ollama on Windows and optionally downloading LLMs like the "phi3" model for on-premises usage, avoiding reliance on cloud AI services. AI Shell enables compiling an Ollama-based AI agent to handle queries locally.
- Features: AI Shell enhances productivity by providing instant AI assistance within the PowerShell console for scripting, error interpretation, and code explanations. It supports pasting AI-generated code directly into PowerShell, configurable system prompts for specific use cases, and agent switching.
This native PowerShell integration makes AI Shell a robust choice for PowerShell users seeking direct, interactive AI help without leaving their command line environment.
PowerShell AI Module
The PowerShell AI module is a community-developed, open-source PowerShell module that interacts directly with OpenAI's GPT-based AI models.
- Installation: The module can be installed from the PowerShell Gallery using the `Install-Module -Name PowerShellAI` command. After installation, users import the module and need to set their OpenAI API key to authenticate.
- Usage: Users set their API key securely using cmdlets like `Set-OpenAIKey`, which supports secure string input to protect sensitive information. The module provides straightforward commands to invoke AI-powered assistance, script generation, or code explanation directly from PowerShell scripts or interactive sessions.
- Capabilities: It is useful for automating script development, troubleshooting, and generating code snippets with AI assistance. It supports updating help documentation for the module to make the integration smoother and provides a familiar PowerShell scripting environment enhanced with AI capabilities.
This module is ideal for users looking for a direct and simple PowerShell integration with OpenAI, leveraging GPT for improved scripting efficiency and coding help.
PSHelp.Copilot
PSHelp.Copilot is a PowerShell module aimed at providing AI-driven, natural language assistance for interacting with well-documented PowerShell modules.
- Features: This module enables users to ask questions about PowerShell modules' commands in natural language, with the AI providing relevant answers and example code snippets based on the documentation of the target module.
- Integration: It integrates with OpenAI's API and Azure OpenAI services, and supports advanced features like vector store management for storing and retrieving module documentation, embedding generation to convert help texts into AI embeddings, and custom GPT creation to generate module-specific AI assistants.
- Setup: Users install PSHelp.Copilot from the PowerShell Gallery, set their OpenAI API key, create custom assistants for specific modules using `New-ModuleAssistant`, and interact using commands like `Invoke-HelpChat`.
This module is particularly useful for users who want AI assistance tightly coupled with PowerShell module documentation and command usage, providing more context-aware help and code examples tailored to specific modules.
PS-AI Module (PSAI)
PSAI is an evolving PowerShell module that combines PowerShell commands with AI models to automate and enhance PowerShell scripting and analysis.
- Features: The module can transform PowerShell commands into AI-readable JSON for improved AI decision-making. It supports log analysis, AI-driven interactive prompts, and automation safe-guards. Newly introduced features include agent responses and guardrails to prevent unwanted command executions.
- Usage: PSAI enables PowerShell users to analyze logs using AI, generate code, and automate tasks interactively from within PowerShell. It handles both built-in and custom PowerShell commands and integrates with OpenAI and other AI models.
- Installation: Users can install PSAI via `Install-Module PSAI` from the PowerShell Gallery and start exploring AI integration within their scripts and command workflows.
This module caters to users who want enhanced AI-driven capabilities in automation, log analysis, and scripting with PowerShell integrated directly into their workflows.
Summary of AI CLI PowerShell Module Ecosystem
- AI Shell for PowerShell stands out for offering an interactive AI chat sidecar experience directly inside Windows Terminal with options for cloud-based and on-premises AI models.
- PowerShell AI module offers a straightforward, open-source PowerShell interface for interacting with OpenAI's GPT models, focusing on ease of setup and scripting efficiency.
- PSHelp.Copilot specializes in generating AI-powered help for PowerShell modules using natural language, with advanced vector and embedding technology to enhance module-specific assistance.
- PSAI takes a broader approach by embedding AI into PowerShell commands for log analysis, automation, and safe command execution with AI oversight.
All these CLI solutions provide native PowerShell modules that streamline AI adoption and usage, reducing the complexity of setting up and using AI assistants from the PowerShell environment. They require varying degrees of API key configuration, administrator rights for module installation, and some familiarity with PowerShell scripting for optimal use.
In conclusion, for those looking for native PowerShell modules to leverage AI in their scripting, these CLIs offer diverse capabilities ranging from interactive chat experiences to advanced module-specific AI help and AI-augmented PowerShell automation, greatly enhancing productivity and script development workflows.