One Python Agent Core, Four Ways to Run It: Nova on Server, Web, TUI, and Desktop

Description and use

Nova unifies terminal, web, desktop, and API interfaces into a single AI agent runtime, preserving state and configuration across all surfaces.

Problem

Developers need a single AI agent runtime that can be accessed from terminal, web, desktop, and API without duplicating configuration or losing session continuity.

Outcome

Nova provides a unified AI agent runtime that can be accessed from terminal, web, desktop, or API, preserving session state, tool registry, and configuration across all interfaces.

Workflow

• 1. Install Nova and its dependencies.
• 2. Configure model providers in ~/.nova/config.json (e.g., Ollama).
• 3. Start the shared runtime with nova serve to launch the FastAPI backend.
• 4. Launch a surface: nova web, nova tui, or nova desktop (or use nova serve for API).
• 5. Create or select a workspace folder; the same SQLite store tracks sessions, messages, and memories.
• 6. Interact with the agent via the chosen interface; the core logic, tool registry, and state remain identical across surfaces.

Evidence

All four surfaces use the same pieces: the same agent loop, tool registry, and SQLite store.

Source

The runtime home lives at ~/.nova/ with config.json, nova.db, logs, skills, workspace, and agents.

Source