ani-cli is a command line interface designed for searching, streaming, and downloading anime content. It functions as a terminal-based media utility that isolates and retrieves direct video streams from external web sources, allowing users to browse catalogs and play media without a web browser.
The tool distinguishes itself through a modular provider architecture that uses pattern matching to extract metadata and stream links from various sites. It delegates actual video decoding and playback to external system media players, providing users with control over resolution, audio tracks, and player selection.
Beyond basic streaming, the project supports offline media archiving by enabling the download of individual or bulk episodes to local storage. It also includes automated playback features, such as the ability to detect and skip opening theme sequences to maintain continuous viewing.
The software is distributed as a shell-based utility and interacts directly with the host operating system to manage configuration files and download directories.
