> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/pensarai/apex/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# pensar

> Launch the interactive Terminal UI for guided penetration testing

The `pensar` command (with no subcommand) launches the interactive Terminal UI (TUI), providing a full visual interface for penetration testing workflows.

## Syntax

```bash theme={null}
pensar
```

## Description

The TUI provides an interactive environment for:

* **Guided Pentesting**: Step-by-step workflows for blackbox and whitebox testing
* **Session Management**: View, resume, and organize past pentest sessions
* **Real-time Chat**: Interact with AI agents during security assessments
* **Visual Dashboard**: Monitor agent progress, findings, and system status
* **Configuration**: Manage AI providers, models, and tool settings

## Features

### First-Time Setup

On first launch, the TUI guides you through:

1. **Responsible Use Disclosure**: Review and accept ethical hacking guidelines
2. **Provider Configuration**: Set up AI provider API keys if not already configured

### Main Interface

The TUI offers multiple screens accessible via keyboard shortcuts:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Chat">
    Interactive chat interface with AI security agents. Send messages, review findings, and collaborate on vulnerability discovery.

    **Key Features**:

    * Real-time streaming responses
    * Tool call visualization
    * Finding annotations
    * Session context preservation
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Sessions">
    Browse and manage all pentest sessions.

    **Key Features**:

    * View session history
    * Resume previous pentests
    * Review findings from past sessions
    * Delete or archive sessions
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Operator Dashboard">
    Launch and monitor autonomous pentest workflows.

    **Key Features**:

    * Start blackbox/whitebox pentests
    * Configure testing parameters
    * Monitor agent progress
    * View live findings
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Configuration">
    Manage system settings and preferences.

    **Key Features**:

    * AI provider management
    * Model selection
    * Theme customization
    * Keyboard shortcuts
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Keyboard Shortcuts

<Note>
  Press `Ctrl+P` at any time to see all available shortcuts.
</Note>

### Global Navigation

| Shortcut | Action                 |
| -------- | ---------------------- |
| `Ctrl+P` | Open command palette   |
| `Ctrl+N` | New chat session       |
| `Ctrl+S` | View sessions          |
| `Ctrl+T` | Toggle theme           |
| `Ctrl+C` | Exit / Cancel          |
| `Esc`    | Close dialog / Go back |

### Chat Interface

| Shortcut      | Action                   |
| ------------- | ------------------------ |
| `Enter`       | Send message             |
| `Shift+Enter` | New line                 |
| `↑` / `↓`     | Navigate message history |
| `Ctrl+L`      | Clear chat               |

## Configuration Files

The TUI stores configuration in:

```
~/.pensar/
├── config.json          # User preferences and API keys
├── sessions/            # Session data and history
│   ├── <session-id>/
│   │   ├── findings.json
│   │   ├── pocs/
│   │   └── report.md
└── logs/                # Error logs and diagnostics
```

## Examples

### Launch TUI

```bash theme={null}
pensar
```

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/pensarai-apex/images/tui-main.png" alt="Pensar TUI Main Screen" />
</Frame>

### First-Time Setup Flow

```bash theme={null}
$ pensar

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║                                                          ║
║              RESPONSIBLE USE DISCLOSURE                  ║
║                                                          ║
║  Pensar is designed for authorized security testing     ║
║  only. You must have explicit permission to test any    ║
║  system or network.                                      ║
║                                                          ║
║  Press Enter to accept and continue...                   ║
║                                                          ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```

After accepting, if no AI provider is configured:

```bash theme={null}
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║                                                          ║
║                   PROVIDER SETUP                         ║
║                                                          ║
║  No AI provider configured. Please set up at least      ║
║  one provider to continue.                               ║
║                                                          ║
║  → Anthropic                                             ║
║    OpenAI                                                ║
║    OpenRouter                                            ║
║    AWS Bedrock                                           ║
║    Local vLLM                                            ║
║                                                          ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```

### Normal TUI Session

```bash theme={null}
$ pensar

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Pensar Apex v0.0.79                                     │
│                                                         │
│ Chat       Sessions       Operator       Config         │
│ ────       ────────       ────────       ──────         │
│                                                         │
│ > Start a new pentest or ask me anything...            │
│                                                         │
│                                                         │
│                                                         │
│                                                         │
│                                                         │
│ [Type message] Ctrl+P: Commands  Ctrl+C: Exit          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Use Cases

### 1. Interactive Pentest Learning

Start conversations with AI agents to learn about:

* Vulnerability discovery techniques
* Exploitation methodologies
* Security best practices

```bash theme={null}
pensar
# Then in chat:
> Explain how to test for SQL injection in a login form
```

### 2. Manual Vulnerability Research

Use the TUI to manually explore targets with AI assistance:

```bash theme={null}
pensar
# Navigate to Operator Dashboard
# Configure target and testing parameters
# Launch guided pentest workflow
```

### 3. Session Review and Reporting

Review past pentest findings:

```bash theme={null}
pensar
# Press Ctrl+S to view sessions
# Select a session to review findings
# Export reports or continue testing
```

## Troubleshooting

### TUI Won't Launch

```bash theme={null}
# Check for errors
pensar doctor

# Verify terminal compatibility
echo $TERM
# Should show: xterm-256color, screen-256color, etc.
```

### Display Issues

If you experience rendering problems:

1. Ensure your terminal supports 256 colors
2. Try a different theme: `Ctrl+T` in the TUI
3. Resize your terminal window (minimum 80x24)

### Performance Issues

For slow TUI performance:

```bash theme={null}
# Use CLI commands instead for better performance
pensar pentest --target https://example.com
```

## Environment Variables

The TUI respects these environment variables:

<ParamField path="ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" type="string">
  Anthropic API key for Claude models (recommended)
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="OPENAI_API_KEY" type="string">
  OpenAI API key for GPT models
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="OPENROUTER_API_KEY" type="string">
  OpenRouter API key for multi-model access
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="NO_COLOR" type="flag">
  Disable colored output (for accessibility)
</ParamField>

## Advanced Configuration

### Custom Themes

The TUI supports multiple themes:

* **Apex** (default)
* Catppuccin
* Dracula
* Tokyo Night
* Nord
* Gruvbox
* And more...

Change themes via `Ctrl+T` or in the Config menu.

### Keyboard Customization

Edit `~/.pensar/config.json` to customize shortcuts:

```json theme={null}
{
  "keybindings": {
    "newSession": "ctrl+n",
    "viewSessions": "ctrl+s",
    "commandPalette": "ctrl+p"
  }
}
```

## Related Commands

* [pentest](/commands/pentest) - Run automated pentests from CLI
* [targeted-pentest](/commands/targeted-pentest) - Focused vulnerability testing
* [doctor](/commands/doctor) - Check system configuration

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Getting Started" icon="rocket" href="/getting-started">
    Complete setup guide for first-time users
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workflows" icon="diagram-project" href="/workflows">
    Learn about pentest workflows and methodologies
  </Card>
</CardGroup>