Merit-Systems · zdql · Nov 11, 2025 · Nov 9, 2025 · Nov 9, 2025 · Nov 9, 2025
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -111,11 +111,14 @@ Available templates:
 
 - **[next](./templates/next)** - Next.js application with Echo
 - **[react](./templates/react)** - Vite React application with Echo
-- **[nextjsChatbot](./templates/nextjs-chatbot)** - Next.js with Echo and Vercel AI SDK
-- **[assistantUi](./templates/assistant-ui)** - Next.js with Echo and Assistant UI
+- **[next-chat](./templates/next-chat)** - Next.js chatbot with Echo and Vercel AI SDK
+- **[assistant-ui](./templates/assistant-ui)** - Next.js with Echo and Assistant UI
+- **[echo-cli](./templates/echo-cli)** - CLI tool for AI chat with Echo (API keys + crypto wallets)
 
 Or run `npx echo-start my-app` to choose interactively.
 
+**Note:** The CLI template (`echo-cli`) requires manual installation from the repository as it's a command-line tool rather than a web application. See the [templates README](./templates/README.md) for details.
+
 # Development
 
 Fill out `packages/app/control/.env` and `packages/app/server/.env`. Then...

diff --git a/packages/app/control/docs/getting-started/templates.mdx b/packages/app/control/docs/getting-started/templates.mdx
@@ -416,4 +416,84 @@ Next.js application demonstrating Echo as an Auth.js provider for authentication
             </Tab>
         </Tabs>
     </Step>
-</Steps>
+</Steps>
+
+## Echo CLI (Echodex)
+
+A command-line interface for AI chat powered by Echo with support for both API key and crypto wallet payments via the X402 protocol.
+
+[View on GitHub](https://github.com/Merit-Systems/echo/tree/master/templates/echo-cli)
+
+<Callout type="info">
+  **Note:** Unlike web-based templates, the CLI tool requires manual installation from the repository as it's not available through `echo-start`.
+</Callout>
+
+### Features
+
+- **Dual Authentication**: Echo API keys or WalletConnect for flexible payment options
+- **Multi-Model Support**: GPT-4o, GPT-5, GPT-5 Mini, GPT-5 Nano
+- **X402 Protocol**: Pay-per-use with crypto wallets
+- **Conversation Management**: Resume and export chat history
+- **Secure Storage**: OS keychain integration
+- **Real-time Usage Tracking**: View balance and costs
+
+<Steps>
+    <Step>
+        ### Create an Echo App
+        Go to [echo.merit.systems/new](https://echo.merit.systems/new) to get an `app_id`.
+    </Step>
+
+    <Step>
+        ### Clone and Install
+        The CLI template is available in the Echo repository:
+
+        ```sh lineNumbers
+        git clone https://github.com/Merit-Systems/echo.git
+        cd echo/templates/echo-cli
+        pnpm install
+        pnpm build
+        ```
+    </Step>
+
+    <Step>
+        ### Authenticate
+        Start by logging in to Echo:
+
+        ```sh lineNumbers
+        echodex login
+        ```
+
+        Choose between:
+        - **Echo API Key**: Opens your browser to create an API key
+        - **WalletConnect**: Displays a QR code for mobile wallet authentication
+    </Step>
+
+    <Step>
+        ### Start Chatting
+        Once authenticated, start a chat session:
+
+        ```sh lineNumbers
+        echodex
+        ```
+
+        Or use other commands:
+        ```sh lineNumbers
+        echodex model          # Select AI model
+        echodex resume         # Resume last conversation
+        echodex history        # View conversation history
+        echodex export         # Export as JSON
+        echodex profile        # View profile and balance
+        ```
+    </Step>
+</Steps>
+
+### Global Installation (Optional)
+
+To use `echodex` globally on your system:
+
+```sh lineNumbers
+cd echo/templates/echo-cli
+pnpm link --global
+```
+
+For more details, see the [CLI template README](https://github.com/Merit-Systems/echo/tree/master/templates/echo-cli#readme).
diff --git a/packages/app/control/docs/index.mdx b/packages/app/control/docs/index.mdx
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ We provide a variety of ready-to-use templates to help you get started quickly w
 - **Auth.js (NextAuth)** — Next.js app with Echo as an Auth.js provider
 - **React Chat** — Chat interface for React apps
 - **React Image** — Image generation for React apps
+- **CLI** — Command-line tool for AI chat with Echo (API keys + crypto wallets)
 
 All templates are available through `echo-start` or in the [GitHub repository](https://github.com/Merit-Systems/echo/tree/master/templates). Visit our [templates documentation](/docs/getting-started/templates) for detailed setup instructions.
 
diff --git a/templates/README.md b/templates/README.md
@@ -67,6 +67,46 @@ npx echo-start@latest --template assistant-ui
 
 ---
 
+### CLI Templates
+
+#### Echo CLI (`echo-cli`)
+
+A command-line interface for AI chat powered by Echo with support for both API key and crypto wallet payments.
+
+**Note:** This template is different from web-based templates. Install it directly from the repository:
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/Merit-Systems/echo.git
+cd echo/templates/echo-cli
+pnpm install
+pnpm build
+```
+
+**Features:**
+
+- Dual authentication: Echo API keys or WalletConnect
+- Multi-model support (GPT-4o, GPT-5, etc.)
+- X402 protocol for crypto payments
+- Conversation history and resume
+- Secure OS keychain credential storage
+- Export conversations as JSON
+- Profile and usage management
+
+**Usage:**
+
+```bash
+echodex login          # Authenticate
+echodex                # Start chat
+echodex model          # Select AI model
+echodex resume         # Resume conversation
+echodex history        # View history
+echodex export         # Export as JSON
+echodex profile        # View profile
+echodex logout         # Sign out
+```
+
+---
+
 ### Feature-Specific Templates
 
 #### Next.js Chat (`next-chat`)

diff --git a/templates/echo-cli/.gitignore b/templates/echo-cli/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+node_modules
+dist
+.env*
+.pnpm-store
diff --git a/templates/echo-cli/README.md b/templates/echo-cli/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+# Echodex
+
+A command-line interface for AI chat powered by [Echo](https://echo.merit.systems) with support for both API key and crypto wallet payments.
+
+## Features
+
+- **Dual Authentication**: Echo API keys or WalletConnect for flexible payment options
+- **Multi-Model Support**: GPT-4o, GPT-5, GPT-5 Mini, GPT-5 Nano
+- **X402 Protocol**: Pay-per-use with crypto wallets via the X402 payment protocol
+- **Conversation Management**: Resume previous conversations and export chat history
+- **Secure Storage**: OS keychain integration for credential storage
+- **Real-time Usage Tracking**: View your balance and usage in real-time
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Node.js 18.0.0 or higher
+- pnpm 10.0.0 or higher
+- An Echo account (sign up at [echo.merit.systems](https://echo.merit.systems))
+
+## Installation
+
+Clone the repository and install dependencies:
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/Merit-Systems/echo.git
+cd echo/templates/echo-cli
+pnpm install
+pnpm build
+```
+
+### Global Installation (Optional)
+
+To use `echodex` globally:
+
+```bash
+pnpm link --global
+```
+
+Or use it directly:
+
+```bash
+pnpm start
+```
+
+## Quick Start
+
+1. **Authenticate with Echo**
+
+   ```bash
+   echodex login
+   ```
+
+   Choose between:
+   - **Echo API Key**: Opens your browser to create an API key
+   - **WalletConnect**: Displays a QR code for mobile wallet authentication
+
+2. **Start chatting**
+
+   ```bash
+   echodex
+   ```
+
+3. **Select a model** (optional)
+
+   ```bash
+   echodex model
+   ```
+
+## Commands
+
+### Authentication
+
+```bash
+echodex login          # Authenticate with Echo (API key or wallet)
+echodex logout         # Sign out and clear credentials
+```
+
+### Chat
+
+```bash
+echodex                # Start a new chat session
+echodex resume         # Resume your last conversation
+```
+
+### Model Management
+
+```bash
+echodex model          # Select a different AI model
+```
+
+### History
+
+```bash
+echodex history        # View your conversation history
+echodex export         # Export conversations as JSON
+```
+
+### Profile
+
+```bash
+echodex profile        # View your Echo profile and balance
+```
+
+## Authentication Methods
+
+### Echo API Key
+
+The Echo API Key method creates an API key via your web browser:
+
+1. Run `echodex login` and select "Echo API Key"
+2. Your browser will open to echo.merit.systems
+3. Sign in and create an API key
+4. The key is securely stored in your OS keychain
+
+### WalletConnect
+
+The WalletConnect method uses the X402 payment protocol:
+
+1. Run `echodex login` and select "WalletConnect"
+2. Scan the QR code with your mobile wallet (e.g., MetaMask, Rainbow)
+3. Approve the connection
+4. Pay for AI usage directly from your wallet
+
+## Configuration
+
+Configuration is stored in:
+- **Credentials**: OS keychain (secure)
+- **Settings**: `~/.config/echodex/` (platform-specific)
+
+### Available Models
+
+- GPT-4o
+- GPT-5
+- GPT-5 Mini
+- GPT-5 Nano
+
+Switch models anytime with `echodex model`.
+
+## Tech Stack
+
+- **TypeScript**: ESNext with strict mode
+- **Echo SDK**: TypeScript SDK for Echo integration
+- **Vercel AI SDK**: Streaming AI responses
+- **WalletConnect**: Crypto wallet authentication
+- **X402 Protocol**: Decentralized payment protocol
+- **Keytar**: Secure credential storage
+- **Conf**: Configuration management
+- **Zod**: Runtime validation
+- **Commander**: CLI framework
+- **Clack Prompts**: Interactive CLI prompts
+
+## Development
+
+### Running in Development
+
+```bash
+pnpm dev
+```
+
+### Building
+
+```bash
+pnpm build
+```
+
+### Project Structure
+
+```
+src/
+├── auth/           # Authentication logic (API key & WalletConnect)
+├── config/         # Configuration, models, and constants
+├── core/           # Core features (chat, history, profile)
+├── utils/          # Utility functions
+├── validation/     # Zod schemas and validators
+└── index.ts        # CLI entry point
+```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Keychain Access
+
+If you encounter keychain access issues on macOS:
+- Grant Terminal/iTerm2 access in System Preferences → Privacy & Security
+
+### Connection Issues
+
+If WalletConnect fails:
+- Ensure you have a stable internet connection
+- Try regenerating the QR code
+- Check that your wallet supports WalletConnect v2
+
+### Balance Issues
+
+If your balance isn't updating:
+- Run `echodex profile` to refresh
+- Ensure you're authenticated (run `echodex login` again if needed)
+
+## Support
+
+- **Documentation**: [echo.merit.systems/docs](https://echo.merit.systems/docs)
+- **Platform**: [echo.merit.systems](https://echo.merit.systems)
+- **GitHub**: [github.com/Merit-Systems/echo](https://github.com/Merit-Systems/echo)
+- **Discord**: [discord.gg/merit](https://discord.gg/merit)
+
+## Contributing
+
+See [CONTRIBUTING.md](../../CONTRIBUTING.md) for contribution guidelines.
+
+## License
+
+MIT
+
+---
+
+Built with ❤️ by [Merit Systems](https://merit.systems)