Free GLM-4.7 via iflow-cli: Install & Integrate with VS Code/DevEco Studio

This tutorial demonstrates how to access the GLM-4.7 large language model for free using iflow-cli , a terminal-based AI assistant developed by Alibaba's XFlow team. The tool bundles several domestic models including DeepSeek, Qwen, GLM (with GLM-4.7 support), and K2, and can be integrated into mainstream editors such as VS Code and DevEco Studio (IntelliJ-based).

Step 1: Installation (2 minutes)

System Requirements

Node.js 22+

4 GB+ RAM

Internet connection

Quick Install

macOS / Linux

# One-line install script (installs all dependencies)
bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://gitee.com/iflow-ai/iflow-cli/raw/main/install.sh)"

# If Node.js 22+ already present
npm i -g @iflow-ai/iflow-cli@latest

Windows

1. Download Node.js installer from https://nodejs.org/zh-cn/download
2. Run the installer
3. Restart terminal (CMD or PowerShell)
4. Run `npm install -g @iflow-ai/iflow-cli@latest`
5. Run `iflow` to start

Recommendation: Use Windows Terminal for better compatibility. Verify install: Run iflow --version to confirm success.

Step 2: First-time Setup (1 minute)

Launch iflow

iflow

On first launch, a browser window opens for login. After successful login, the CLI shows the model selection interface where GLM-4.7 is available. Press Tab to enable "thinking mode" for more intelligent responses.

Step 3: VS Code Integration

In VS Code, search for the iflow-cli extension and install it.

Open any file; an iflow icon appears in the status bar.

Click the icon to open a terminal in the current workspace directory.

Interact with the AI directly in the terminal or select code snippets for context-aware assistance.

Step 4: DevEco Studio Integration (for HarmonyOS development)

Download the offline plugin from https://platform.iflow.cn/cli/features/ide.

In DevEco Studio, install the plugin from the local file.

Restart the IDE; an iflow icon appears in the top menu bar.

Practical Command Reference

iflow-cli provides a rich set of slash commands grouped by function.

System Configuration Commands

/about

– Show system info (CLI version, OS, model version). /auth – Configure or change authentication provider. /theme – Customize CLI appearance theme. /model – Switch the active AI model. /editor – Configure preferred external editor. /privacy – Display privacy notice and data handling info. /language – Switch UI language (zh-CN / en-US). /output-style – Set AI output style and format. /output-style:new – Create a new output style from description. /update – Check and update CLI to latest version.

Session Control Commands

/chat

– Manage conversations: save, restore, delete checkpoints. /clear – Clear screen and reset conversation history. /compress – Use AI to compress conversation history into a summary. /memory – Interact with CLI's memory system. /restore – Restore to a previous checkpoint state. /resume – Resume a previous conversation session. /quit – Exit CLI and show session statistics. /cleanup-history – Open dialog to clean conversation history. /cleanup-checkpoint – Open dialog to clean conversation checkpoints.

Tool Integration Commands

/ide

– Discover and connect to available IDE servers. /mcp – Manage MCP servers, tools, and authentication. /tools – List all built-in CLI tools. /extensions – Show active extensions and versions.

Development Assistance Commands

/init

– Analyze project and create tailored configuration file. /setup-github – Configure GitHub Actions workflows. /directory – Manage workspace directories for project context. /export – Export conversation history in various formats. /copy – Copy last AI response to clipboard. /demo – Launch interactive demo and tutorial mode. /qa – Knowledge-base Q&A assistant (aliases: /wenwen, /question, /guide).

Monitoring & Debugging Commands

/stats

– Monitor session usage and performance statistics. /log – Show current session log storage location. /bug – Submit bug report with system information. /help – Open comprehensive help dialog. /docs – Open full documentation in browser.

Special Function Commands

/vim

– Toggle Vim-style key bindings. /corgi – Toggle Corgi theme UI mode (easter egg). /commands – Manage and install custom commands. /agents – Manage personal, project, and built-in agents. /terminal-setup – Configure terminal key bindings for multi-line input.

Common Usage Scenarios

System Configuration

/about          # View system info
/auth           # Configure authentication
/model          # Switch AI model
/theme          # Change theme

Session Management

/chat list               # List saved conversations
/chat save project-review # Save conversation checkpoint
/chat resume project-review # Restore specific conversation
/chat delete project-review # Delete specific conversation
/memory show             # Show current memory content
/memory add "Project uses React" # Add memory info
/memory refresh          # Refresh memory content
/memory list             # List memory files
/compress                # Compress conversation history
/clear                   # Clear session
/resume                  # Resume previous session

Development Assistance

/init                    # Initialize project config
/ide                     # Connect IDE
/mcp list                # List all MCP servers
/mcp auth <server>       # Configure MCP server auth
/mcp online              # Browse online MCP servers
/mcp refresh             # Refresh MCP server connections
/directory add <path>    # Add workspace directory
/directory show          # Show current workspace directories
/export clipboard        # Export conversation to clipboard
/export file             # Export conversation to file

Debugging Support

/stats                   # View session statistics
/stats model             # View model usage stats
/stats tools             # View tool usage stats
/log                     # View log location
/bug "Describe issue"    # Submit bug report
/help                    # Get help

System & UI Configuration

/language zh-CN          # Switch to Chinese UI
/language en-US          # Switch to English UI
/output-style professional # Use professional output style
/output-style:new "Concise style" # Create new output style
/update                  # Check and update CLI version

Conversation & History Management

/cleanup-history         # Clean conversation history
/cleanup-checkpoint      # Clean conversation checkpoints
/demo                    # Start demo mode
/qa "How to use MCP?"    # Knowledge-base Q&A
/agents list             # List all available agents
/agents refresh          # Refresh agent list
/agents online           # Browse online agent marketplace
/agents install          # Install agent
/commands list           # List local custom commands
/commands online         # Browse online command marketplace
/commands get <id>       # Get command by ID
/terminal-setup          # Configure terminal for multi-line input