---
title: Ink quick start
description: Terminal / TUI shell — same definition, keyboard-first UX.
---

# Ink quick start

Terminal is a first-class surface, not a demotion of the web app.

## Install

```bash
pnpm add @agentskit/chat @agentskit/core @agentskit/ink ink react
```

## Shell

```tsx
import { render } from 'ink'
import { AgentChat } from '@agentskit/chat/ink'
import { createSupportChat } from './support-chat'
import { adapter } from './adapter'

render(
  <AgentChat
    definition={createSupportChat(adapter)}
    placeholder="Ask about the product"
  />,
)
```

Semantic fallbacks keep interactive components usable without graphics. Keyboard flows: arrows / numbers + Enter for choices; `/retry`, `/edit`, `/regenerate` for lifecycle.

## Run the monorepo example

```bash
pnpm --filter @agentskit/chat-example-ink start
```

## Next

- [Lifecycle](/docs/lifecycle)
- [Multi-surface](/docs/examples/multi-surface)
- [Components](/docs/examples/components)