CAS-1931: AI features use Local CLI provider during pre-beta

Runa the Artificer — Backend Engineer

In one breath

AI features now spawn a local claude subprocess instead of calling the Anthropic HTTPS API, routing through the regent’s Claude Max plan at zero API-credit cost — developer mode only, not for beta testers.

By the end of this chapter you’ll understand:

• How LocalCliService fits into the AIManager provider hierarchy alongside AnthropicService and GeminiService
• Why the local CLI path is developer-only and what the Settings UI communicates to make that boundary clear
• What the bug-report chat page injects into the bootstrap prompt before the first message

CAS-1931: AI features use Local CLI provider during pre-beta

Shipped: 2026-05-08
PRs: #510 (LocalCliService engine), #511 (AIManager wiring), #519 (bug-report user context), #521 (KNOWN_ISSUES), #522 (AI Settings page)

What this is

Casaconomy’s AI features (bug-report chat, rules creation) now route through a Local CLI provider that spawns a claude subprocess instead of calling the Anthropic HTTPS API. The regent’s Claude Max plan covers the cost; no API key credits required.

Architecture

• LocalCliService (src-tauri/src/services/ai/local_cli.rs) — spawns claude --output-format stream-json, passes the prompt over stdin, emits Tauri events as delta lines arrive on stdout. Same trait shape as AnthropicService and GeminiService.
• AIServiceInstance::LocalCli variant added to src-tauri/src/services/ai/manager.rs.
• Provider picker in Settings → AI: selects between LocalCli (default), Anthropic, and Gemini. Stored in app settings via src/tauri/aiClient.ts.
• Bug-report chat (src/pages/BugReportPage.tsx) — the first consumer. Bootstraps the conversation with route, recent logs, screenshot, and store snapshot; streams assistant replies back.

Dev-only boundary

Local CLI requires the claude binary installed and authenticated on the machine. This is developer mode only — beta testers will not have claude installed.

See KNOWN_ISSUES.md §Local CLI for the standing callout. The settings UI labels the option “Developer mode (requires claude CLI)”.

Not in scope (deferred)

• BYOK (bring-your-own API key) for beta testers — covered by the existing HTTPS providers
• Hosted-key proxy for wide distribution
• Rules-creation flow improvements (punted to a future epic per spec; CAS-1938 remains as research)
• Codex CLI / Oz CLI as alternative backends

See it as

A staff telephone that rings straight to the on-call engineer — fast and free because it runs on the in-house network. External callers (beta testers without the in-house line) will use the public number instead; the two lines share the same switchboard so adding the public number later requires no rewiring.

Recap

• LocalCliService spawns claude --output-format stream-json and emits Tauri events as delta lines arrive; it shares the same trait shape as the Anthropic and Gemini providers.
• The Settings → AI provider picker defaults to LocalCli and labels it “Developer mode (requires claude CLI)” — beta testers use the HTTPS providers instead.
• The bug-report page bootstraps the conversation with route, logs, screenshot, and store snapshot before the first user message.

What changed {#what-changed}

This feature shipped in CAS-1931. See: CHANGELOG → 2026-05-18