Here I will guide you through the complete step-by-step process of how you can install and run the DeepSeek AI model at high speed using a terminal on your PC or Mac. Get your sandwich ready and follow this step-by-step process. I hope I guide you well, but in case you have any confusion, you can visit my Discussion Page.

If you are not familiar with basic setups than please first go to BASIC GUIDE to understand the concept overall.

What You’ll Learn

This guide covers how to:

• Break free from browser-based AI limitations
• Use the powerful and completely free DeepSeek model in your terminal
• Maintain persistent context across sessions with context files
• Deploy AI agents for specialized tasks
• Run multiple AI tools simultaneously on the same project
• Sync context files across different AI tools
• Build custom workflows for maximum productivity

Why Terminal AI?

Browser AI problems:

• Lost context after scrolling too far (it simply forgets what we were talking about and that’s very frustrating)
• Multiple scattered chats across different platforms
• No file system access (yep, that’s an issue)
• Copy/paste problems
• Limited control over your work

Terminal AI advantages:

✅ Persistent context – Your work lives in files, not chat windows
✅ File system access – Read and write files directly
✅ Multiple AI tools working together on the same project
✅ Complete control – Everything stored locally on your hard drive
✅ Professional workflows – Build custom agents and automation
✅ 10x faster – No more context switching or copy/paste

“Now Let’s Start”

DeepSeek CLI Guide

The DeepSeek CLI brings one of the most powerful and 100% free AI models directly to your terminal. It’s known for its exceptional reasoning, coding, and long-context capabilities, making it a top choice for developers, writers, and researchers.

Installation

Linux | macOS | Windows (WSL)

The easiest way to install the DeepSeek CLI is via pip, Python’s package manager.

1. Install Python and pip

• Note: You likely already have these. To check, open a terminal and type python3 –version and pip3 –version.
• If not, download Python from its official site (Direct link: Download Python). During installation, make sure to check the box “Add Python to PATH”.

2. Install the DeepSeek CLI

pip3 install deepseek-cli

3. Verify Installation

deepseek --version

You should see a version number. If you get a “command not found” error, try closing and reopening your terminal.

DeepSeek Launch

1. Create a Project Directory

mkdir my-deepseek-project
cd my-deepseek-project

Why create a directory first?

• DeepSeek can read/write files in the current directory
• Keeps your work organized
• Context files will be saved here

2. Initial Setup & Authentication
The first time you run DeepSeek, you need to authenticate with your API key.

deepseek auth

This will prompt you for your API key.

• Getting Your API Key: Go to the DeepSeek Platform, sign up/in, and navigate to the API Keys section to create a new key. It’s free.
• Paste Your Key: Copy the key from the website and paste it into your terminal. For security, it won’t be visible as you type.

3. Start Chatting!
Now you’re ready to go. Simply run:

deepseek

You’ll see the DeepSeek prompt, ready for your commands.

Use Simple Way

deepseek "Write a Python script to sort a list of numbers and save it to a file."

What happens:

• DeepSeek processes your request
• It can read/write files in your current directory
• A formatted response appears

See 👆 Just a piece of sandwich.

The Superpower: File System Access

Let’s see the file system magic in action.

deepseek "Read the file `script.py` and explain what it does."

Or, to create a file:

deepseek "Create a comprehensive project plan for developing a simple task manager app. Save it as `project_plan.md`."

When it creates a file, it will operate directly. You now have an AI that can both read and write your project files!

Result

Here is the kind of output you can expect—a well-structured, detailed document created in seconds.

The Game-Changer: Context Files

The /init Command

What it does:

• Analyzes your current directory
• Reads all files in the project
• Creates a deepseek.md context file
• Saves project understanding for future sessions

What’s in deepseek.md?
It saves all the context from your interactions with the AI in a .md file. Whenever you start a new session and ask a question, it automatically fetches all the context from this file, and BOOM—it remembers everything.

No additional context needed! It knows what you’re working on.

Real-World Workflow

# Navigate to your project
cd ~/YourProjects/your-ai-terminal

# Launch DeepSeek
deepseek

# It can load the context file automatically if you reference it
> /load deepseek.md

# Ask about project status
> Where are we at in the project?

DeepSeek responds with:

• Current phase
• Completed tasks
• Next steps
• Referenced documents

Updating Context

> Update the deepseek.md file with:
  - We completed the coffee brewing research
  - Next step is writing the first blog post
  - Decision made: Focus on pour-over method first

DeepSeek updates the file. Next session? It remembers everything.

DeepSeek Available Commands

While in an interactive session, you can use several commands:

• /help – Shows all available commands.
• /load <file> – Loads a file into the context.
• /save – Saves the current conversation.
• /exit or /quit – Exits the chat.

What is Context?

Every AI has a “context window” – how much conversation it can remember.

• Browser AI: Hides this from you (you hit limits unexpectedly)
• DeepSeek CLI: Shows you exactly where you’re at (in tokens, the units of text it processes)

DeepSeek has a massive context window (128K tokens), so you can have very long, detailed conversations and document analysis.

When Context Gets Low

• Option 1: Start a new session # Exit current session /exit # Start fresh deepseek # Load the context file again with `/load deepseek.md`
• Option 2: Ask DeepSeek to summarize and update the context file
  bash > Summarize our conversation and update deepseek.md with key decisions and next steps.

Tips from Technologia

1. One Directory = One Project # Good: Separate projects ~/sandwich-project/ → One DeepSeek session ~/video-optimised-script/ → Another DeepSeek session ~/homelab-guide-docs/ → Another DeepSeek session
2. Let DeepSeek Create Your Context File
   Don’t write deepseek.md manually – use the /load command and let it analyze your project through conversation.
3. Update Context as You Work > Add to deepseek.md: We decided to use the French press method instead of pour-over.
4. Context Files = Your Project Memory
   Think of deepseek.md as your project’s brain:
   • Current state
   • Decisions made
   • Files to reference
   • Next steps

Advanced: Multiple DeepSeek Sessions

You can open multiple terminal tabs with different DeepSeek sessions, each focused on a separate project.

# Terminal Tab 1: Sandwich project
cd ~/sandwich-project
deepseek

# Terminal Tab 2: Video Optimised project  
cd ~/video-optimised-script
deepseek

# Terminal Tab 3: Homelab Guide docs
cd ~/homelab-guide-docs
deepseek

Each session maintains its own state and context – no mixing!

Example Workflows

Research & Documentation Workflow

mkdir research-project
cd research-project
deepseek

> Research the top 5 enterprise NAS solutions for small business.
  Include pricing, features, and pros/cons.
  Create a comparison document called nas-comparison.md

> /load nas-comparison.md

> Based on the research, write a recommendation for a 10-person company
  with 5TB storage needs. Save as nas-recommendation.md

Writing Workflow

mkdir blog-series
cd blog-series
deepseek

> Help me plan a 5-part blog series about network security basics.
  Create an outline file.

> Write the introduction for part 1. Save as part-1-intro.md

# Later (new session):
deepseek
> /load part-1-intro.md
> Review the introduction and suggest improvements for clarity and engagement.

Obsidian Integration

# Navigate to your Obsidian vault
cd ~/Obsidian/MyVault
deepseek

> Read my daily note for today and summarize key tasks

> Create a new note about [topic] with backlinks to related notes

DeepSeek Troubleshooting

“Command not found: deepseek”

• Ensure pip3 install deepseek-cli ran successfully.
• Try closing and reopening your terminal.
• On some systems, you may need to use python3 -m deepseek_cli instead of just deepseek.

Authentication Errors

• Ensure your API key from platform.deepseek.com is correct.
• Run deepseek auth again to re-authenticate.

Context File Not Loading

• Make sure you’re in the right directory.
• Use the /load <filename> command explicitly.

DeepSeek Pricing & Limits

Free Tier

• Generous Free Usage: DeepSeek is famously free for a large number of requests. The exact limit is subject to their policy, but it’s more than enough for personal and extensive professional use.
• DeepSeek Latest Model: Access to one of the top-performing reasoning models available.
• Massive 128K Context Window: Handle very long documents and conversations.
• No Credit Card Required for the free tier.

Pro/Paid Tiers

• DeepSeek may offer paid tiers for extremely high-volume commercial use, but the free tier is exceptionally generous.

What’s Next?

Now that you’ve mastered the DeepSeek CLI, you’re ready to explore other powerful tools:

➡️ Claude Code Guide – Technologia’s daily driver with advanced AI agents
➡️ Gemini CLI Guide – Google’s robust free alternative
➡️ ChatGPT Complete Guide – Leveraging OpenAI’s models
➡️ OpenCode Complete Guide – Open-source with local model support

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tool should I start with?
Start with DeepSeek CLI. It’s completely free, incredibly powerful, and perfect for learning all the core concepts of terminal AI.

Is this just for developers?
Absolutely not! DeepSeek works for:

• Writing and content creation
• Research and analysis
• Project planning
• Documentation
• Any text-based work
  Coding is just ONE of its many use cases.

How much does this cost?
DeepSeek CLI: FREE (with very generous limits that cover most personal and professional needs).

Can AI access all my files?
Only files in the directory where you launch it and its subdirectories. It cannot access files outside this “sandbox.”

Can I access my Obsidian vault?
Yes! Just launch the DeepSeek CLI in your vault’s root directory, and it can read, create, and modify all your notes.

Explore:

➡️ ChatGPT Complete Guide

➡️ Gemini Complete Guide

➡️ Cloude Code Complete Guide

➡️ OpenCode Complete Guide