ani-cli is a command-line tool to browse and play anime from a terminal interface.
The tool solves the problem of accessing anime content through a text-based interface by scraping anime databases and presenting results in an interactive menu. It uses fuzzy finding and rofi for selection, allowing users to search for series, choose episodes, and stream them directly from the command line. The tool supports watching alone or synchronized with friends through integrated syncplay functionality.
The project suits developers and users comfortable with terminal workflows on Linux, Mac, and Android, where it has the most robust support. It also runs on Windows, iOS, Steam Deck, and other platforms with varying levels of stability. Anyone adopting this tool should be aware that it depends on external scraping sources and may occasionally encounter blocking issues requiring workarounds like installing curl-impersonate. The README does not compare it to alternative anime streaming tools.
The project maintains active community engagement through Discord and Matrix channels. Multiple maintainers actively manage the codebase and handle issue resolution, with an update mechanism available to users for staying current with the latest version. The tool includes optional integrations like ani-skip for opening sequence detection, expanding its functionality beyond basic playback.
