CLI

One command from a PDF to clean markdown and structured JSON: pulse extract invoice.pdf --schema invoice.json

The Pulse CLI brings the full extraction pipeline to your terminal. It talks to the same API as the platform and the MCP server, so your API key is the only credential, and anything you run is visible in your platform extraction library.

uv tool install pulse-ai-cli
pulse login
pulse extract report.pdf

Command reference

Every command, flag, and workflow with examples.

Get an API key

Or skip it: pulse login fetches one through your browser.

Install

uv tool install pulse-ai-cli

pip install pulse-ai-cli

Installs the pulse command. Requires Python 3.11+.

Log in

pulse login

Your browser opens the Pulse platform, you approve a short code (like ABCD-1234), and the CLI picks up your organization’s API key automatically. The key is validated and stored in your OS keychain. No browser handy? Use the key directly:

pulse login --api-key sk_your_key_here

For CI and scripts, set PULSE_API_KEY in the environment instead; it takes precedence over the stored credential, and --api-key on any command beats both.

Sixty-second tour

# Document in, markdown + JSON out (report.pulse.md / report.pulse.json)
pulse extract report.pdf

# Add a schema and get structured fields in the same run
pulse extract invoice.pdf --schema schemas/invoice.json

# No schema yet? Describe the fields and let Pulse draft one
pulse schema generate -p "vendor, line items, total due" -o schemas/invoice.json

# Whole folder, async; come back for results later
pulse extract ./contracts --no-wait
pulse jobs get <job_id> --watch

# Follow-ups reuse the extraction_id printed by extract
pulse tables <extraction_id>
pulse split <extraction_id> -t "financials:tables and figures"

# Check your plan and page usage
pulse usage

Every command takes --json for raw, pipe-safe output and -h for its full options. Running bare pulse starts an interactive shell with the same commands.

Commands at a glance

Command	What it does
`pulse extract`	Documents (files, folders, URLs) to markdown and JSON; `--schema` adds structured output in one run.
`pulse schema generate`	AI-draft or refine a JSON extraction schema from a prompt.
`pulse schema apply`	Run a schema against a prior extraction or split.
`pulse split`	Split a prior extraction into topic-based page ranges.
`pulse tables`	Pull tables (HTML or JSON) out of a prior extraction.
`pulse jobs`	Watch, resume, or cancel async jobs.
`pulse usage`	Plan, pages used vs. allowance, and a breakdown by source.
`pulse open`	Open an extraction (or the dashboard) on the platform.
`pulse whoami` / `login` / `logout`	Manage the stored credential.

See the command reference for full flags and examples.

When to use the CLI

Use the CLI

You’re working hands-on in a terminal: one-off extractions, local files and folders, shell scripts, cron jobs, and CI steps where --json pipes straight into jq or the next tool.

Use the MCP server

You want an AI agent (Claude, Codex, VS Code) to read and structure documents on demand, deciding the steps itself.

Use the SDK / API

You’re building a production pipeline in your own application code with precise, repeatable control.

Use the Platform

You want a visual workspace to iterate on schemas, presets, and pipelines before automating them.

Start Here

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Core Concepts

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Help

Command reference

Get an API key

Install

Log in

Sixty-second tour

Commands at a glance

When to use the CLI

Use the CLI

Use the MCP server

Use the SDK / API

Use the Platform

Next steps

Command reference

Structured output guidelines

Command reference

Get an API key

​Install

​Log in

​Sixty-second tour

​Commands at a glance

​When to use the CLI

Use the CLI

Use the MCP server

Use the SDK / API

Use the Platform

​Next steps

Command reference

Structured output guidelines

Install

Log in

Sixty-second tour

Commands at a glance

When to use the CLI

Next steps