Getting started

You need Python 3.13, Node 24 and Ollama. With Nix one command gives you all of it.

Install

git clone https://github.com/bhoudebert/lookout
cd lookout
nix develop          # Python, uv, Node, just, gh, Chromium for the tests
just setup           # dependencies and git hooks

With direnv, run direnv allow once and the shell loads by itself whenever you enter the folder (add nix-direnv to cache it).

Without Nix, install Python 3.13, uv, Node 24 and just, then run just setup.

Ready-made commands

From the repository, without entering the shell:

nix run .#dev                   # demo data, builds the dashboard, serves it
nix run .#lookout -- inbox      # any lookout command
nix run .#doctor                # check the setup
nix run .#quality               # the full gate

Inside the shell (or with direnv) lookout is on your PATH.

Try it with demo data

cp lookout.example.yaml lookout.yaml
lookout demo           # six believable items
npm run --prefix frontend build
lookout serve          # http://127.0.0.1:8899

Open the address in a browser. The first item is a critical advisory on Django, which lookout.example.yaml declares in your stack: it is P0, and opening it shows the rule that put it there.

Use it for real

1. Start Ollama and pull a model: ollama pull llama3.1.
2. Edit lookout.yaml: list your sources, your stack and a sentence about your interests. See configuration.
3. Check everything: lookout doctor. It tells you what to fix, for example to start Ollama.
4. Fetch and read: lookout run, or press Run now in the dashboard.
5. Keep it fresh: lookout serve runs on the schedule you set. See running.

Next

• How Lookout thinks: items, priorities, states.
• The dashboard: shortcuts and bulk actions.