An ultra-lightweight AI agent written in C that communicates with OpenRouter API and executes shell commands.
One-Minute Overview#
Agent-C is an ultra-lightweight AI agent written in C that communicates with OpenRouter API and executes shell commands directly from AI responses. This project is designed for developers who need a lightweight AI agent that can perform system operations. The core value lies in its extremely small binary size while providing powerful command execution capabilities.
Core Value: Ultra-lightweight implementation (only 4.4KB-16KB) yet capable of powerful AI command execution
Quick Start#
Installation Difficulty: Low - Only requires basic compilation environment and API key setup
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/bravenewxyz/agent-c
cd agent-c
# Set your OpenRouter API key
export OR_KEY=your_openrouter_api_key_here
# Build (auto-detects platform and applies optimal compression)
make
# Run
./agent-c
Is this suitable for my scenario?
- ✅ When you need to run an AI agent in resource-constrained environments
- ✅ When you want AI to directly execute system commands
- ✅ When you prioritize minimal binary footprint
- ❌ For scenarios requiring complex AI capabilities
- ❌ For users unfamiliar with basic C compilation and shell commands
Core Capabilities#
1. Tool Calling - AI Directly Executes Shell Commands#
- AI responses can be directly transformed into system command execution User Value: No need to manually convert AI output into executable commands, achieving true AI-system interaction
2. Optimized Binaries - Minimal Footprint#
- Only 4.4KB after compression on macOS, ~16KB on Linux User Value: Can run in extremely resource-constrained environments with minimal download and deployment costs
3. Conversation Memory - Sliding Window Management#
- Implements efficient memory management with context preservation User Value: Maintains multi-turn conversation context for more coherent interaction experience
Tech Stack and Integration#
Development Language: C Main Dependencies: OpenRouter API (requires API key), curl command-line tool Integration Method: Command-line tool
Maintenance Status#
- Development Activity: Early stage project with core functionality implemented
- Recent Updates: Recent code commits indicate ongoing development
- Community Response: Open source project, community contributions still developing
Commercial and Licensing#
License: CC0 (Creative Commons Zero)
- ✅ Commercial Use: Fully allowed without restrictions
- ✅ Modification: Any modifications permitted, no declaration required
- ⚠️ Restrictions: No legal restrictions whatsoever
Documentation and Learning Resources#
- Documentation Quality: Basic level with essential setup and usage instructions
- Official Documentation: README in GitHub repository
- Example Code: Not provided, need to examine source code for understanding