---
slug: "llm-cli"
name: "LLM"
effect: "Runs prompts against remote and local LLMs from the command line or Python, logging calls to SQLite"
category: "model-api"
url: "https://llm.datasette.io"
github: "simonw/llm"
pricing: "open-source"
license: "Apache-2.0"
tags: ["cli", "python", "plugins", "sqlite", "embeddings", "local-models"]
platforms: []
install_kind: "pip"
date_added: "2026-10-14"
drop_score: 37
stars: 12622
pushed_at: "2026-10-15T00:38:55Z"
signals_status: "ok"
signals_fetched_at: "2026-10-15T01:19:01.498Z"
page: "https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/llm-cli"
---

# LLM

Runs prompts against remote and local LLMs from the command line or Python, logging calls to SQLite

Category: Models and APIs. Pricing: Open source. License: Apache-2.0.

## Why you would want it

LLM is Simon Willison's CLI tool and Python library for OpenAI, Claude, Gemini and dozens of other models, via remote APIs or models installed on your own machine. Plugins such as llm-anthropic, llm-gemini and llm-ollama add providers, and `llm openai endpoint` targets any OpenAI-compatible Chat Completions server without configuration. Prompts and responses are stored in SQLite, and it also generates embeddings, extracts structured content with schemas and lets models execute tools.

## Best for

- Scripting LLM calls in the shell
- Comparing models from one CLI
- Keeping a searchable log of prompts

## Use it when

You want quick model access from the terminal or a small Python library, with every prompt and response logged locally.

## Skip it if

You need a shared gateway with keys and spend tracking for a team; this is a CLI and Python library. Providers other than OpenAI need a plugin installed.

## Install

Install with pip:

```sh
pip install llm
```

Source: https://github.com/simonw/llm#readme

## Live signals

Fetched 2026-10-15T01:19:01.498Z (status: ok).

- Repository: simonw/llm
- Stars: 12,622
- Forks: 1,042
- Open issues and PRs: 755
- License (GitHub): Apache-2.0
- Last push: 2026-10-15
- Latest release: 0.36 (2026-09-22)

## Links

- Website: https://llm.datasette.io
- GitHub: https://github.com/simonw/llm
- Install instructions verified at: https://github.com/simonw/llm#readme
- Source for this entry: https://github.com/simonw/llm#readme
- AgentToolDrop page: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/llm-cli
- Full catalog (JSON): https://agenttooldrop.com/tools.json