From cli-ai-tools
This skill should be used when the user asks about "CLI AI tools", "Claude Code", "Codex CLI", "Gemini CLI", "Aider", "Goose", "amp", "OpenCode", "Cody CLI", "Copilot CLI", "qodo", "Jules", "Continue", "avante", "Cline", "Roo Code", "Cursor", "Windsurf", or "Trae". Make sure to use this skill whenever the user mentions any AI coding assistant, asks about terminal-based AI tools, wants to compare CLI agents, needs help with commands, flags, configuration, model selection, installation, or troubleshooting of any AI coding tool, even if they don't name a specific tool.
How this skill is triggered — by the user, by Claude, or both
Slash command
/cli-ai-tools:cli-ai-toolsThe summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
Comprehensive reference for all major command-line AI coding assistants. This covers installation, key commands, flags, configuration, and model selection for each tool.
Comprehensive reference for all major command-line AI coding assistants. This covers installation, key commands, flags, configuration, and model selection for each tool.
| Tool | Provider | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | Anthropic | Agentic coding, full codebase understanding |
| Codex CLI | OpenAI | Agentic coding with sandboxed execution |
| Gemini CLI | Agentic coding with Gemini models | |
| Aider | Open Source | AI pair programming, git-integrated |
| Goose | Block | Extensible AI agent with plugins |
| amp | Sourcegraph | AI agent for large codebases |
| Copilot CLI | GitHub | Command-line suggestions and explanations |
| Cody CLI | Sourcegraph | Codebase-aware AI assistant |
| OpenCode | Open Source | Go-based terminal AI coding |
| qodo | Qodo | AI code quality and testing |
| Jules | Async coding agent (GitHub-integrated) | |
| Continue | Open Source | AI code assistant (IDE + CLI) |
| avante | Open Source | Neovim AI plugin (CLI-adjacent) |
The CLI agent currently running in this session. Agentic AI coding with deep codebase understanding, tool use, and MCP integration.
Install:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Basic usage:
claude # interactive REPL
claude "explain this codebase" # start with a prompt
claude -p "what does main do" # print mode (non-interactive, outputs to stdout)
claude --resume # resume last conversation
claude --continue # continue last conversation with new input
Key flags:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--model <model> | Select model (e.g. claude-sonnet-4-20250514) |
-p, --print | Print mode: non-interactive, single response to stdout |
--resume | Resume the most recent conversation |
--continue | Continue last conversation with new input |
--dangerously-skip-permissions | Skip all permission prompts (use with caution) |
--allowedTools <tools> | Comma-separated list of allowed tools |
--output-format <fmt> | Output format: text, json, stream-json |
--max-turns <n> | Limit autonomous turns in non-interactive mode |
--verbose | Enable verbose logging |
Slash commands (interactive mode):
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/help | Show all available commands |
/compact | Compress conversation to save context |
/clear | Clear conversation history |
/config | View/edit configuration |
/permissions | Manage tool permissions |
/install-plugin <url> | Install a plugin from GitHub |
/mcp | Manage MCP server connections |
/model | Switch model mid-conversation |
/cost | Show token usage and cost |
/doctor | Diagnose installation issues |
Configuration:
.claude/settings.json in project root~/.claude/settings.jsonCLAUDE.md files (project root, ~/.claude/CLAUDE.md).claude/mcp.jsonEnvironment variables:
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-... # API key
CLAUDE_MODEL=claude-sonnet-4-20250514 # Default model
ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=... # Custom API endpoint
OpenAI's open-source agentic coding CLI. Runs code in a sandboxed environment with network-disabled containers.
Install:
npm install -g @openai/codex
Basic usage:
codex # interactive mode
codex "refactor the auth module" # start with prompt
codex --approval-mode full-auto "fix all tests" # fully autonomous
Key flags:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--model <model> | Select model (default: codex-mini-latest) |
--approval-mode <mode> | suggest (default), auto-edit, full-auto |
--quiet | Minimal output |
-p, --prompt | Non-interactive single prompt |
Approval modes:
suggest — asks before every actionauto-edit — auto-approves file edits, asks for commandsfull-auto — auto-approves everything (sandboxed)Configuration:
~/.codex/config.yaml or ~/.codex/config.jsonAGENTS.md in project root (similar to CLAUDE.md)Environment variables:
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-... # API key
CODEX_MODEL=codex-mini-latest # Default model
Google's CLI coding assistant powered by Gemini models. Free tier available with Google account.
Install:
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
# Or run without installing:
npx @google/gemini-cli
Basic usage:
gemini # interactive mode
gemini "explain this function" # start with prompt
gemini -p "summarize README" # non-interactive print mode
Key flags:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--model <model> | Select model (e.g. gemini-2.5-pro) |
-p | Non-interactive print mode |
--sandbox | Run in sandboxed mode |
--debug | Enable debug output |
Configuration:
~/.gemini/settings.jsonGEMINI.md in project root.gemini/mcp.jsonEnvironment variables:
GOOGLE_API_KEY=... # API key (or use Google auth)
GEMINI_MODEL=gemini-2.5-pro # Default model
Google's asynchronous coding agent. Integrates with GitHub — tasks are assigned via issues and Jules works on them in the background, creating PRs.
Usage:
Key features:
The most popular open-source AI pair programming CLI. Deep git integration, multi-model support, architect/editor pattern.
Install:
pip install aider-chat
# Or:
pipx install aider-chat
# Or with uv:
uv tool install aider-chat
Basic usage:
aider # interactive, auto-detects git repo
aider --model claude-3.5-sonnet # specify model
aider file1.py file2.py # add files to context
aider --architect # architect mode (plan then edit)
Key slash commands (interactive):
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/add <file> | Add file(s) to the chat context |
/drop <file> | Remove file(s) from context |
/run <cmd> | Run a shell command and share output |
/diff | Show pending diffs |
/commit | Commit changes with AI-generated message |
/undo | Undo the last change |
/model <name> | Switch model |
/architect | Toggle architect mode |
/ask | Ask without editing (question-only mode) |
/lint | Lint changed files |
/test | Run tests |
/tokens | Show token usage |
/clear | Clear chat history |
/exit | Exit aider |
Key flags:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--model <model> | Main model for editing |
--architect | Use architect mode (separate planning model) |
--editor-model <model> | Model for code edits (in architect mode) |
--auto-commits / --no-auto-commits | Toggle auto-commit after each change |
--watch-files | Watch files for changes and auto-add |
--no-git | Disable git integration |
--yes | Auto-confirm prompts |
--edit-format <fmt> | whole, diff, udiff, diff-fenced |
Configuration:
.aider.conf.yml (project root or ~/.aider.conf.yml).env file in project root.aider.model.settings.ymlANTHROPIC_API_KEY, OPENAI_API_KEY, GEMINI_API_KEY, OPENROUTER_API_KEY, AIDER_MODELBlock's open-source AI agent CLI. Extensible with a plugin system called "extensions" (formerly "toolkits").
Install:
# macOS
brew install block/tap/goose
# Or from source
cargo install goose-cli
# Or via installer script
curl -fsSL https://github.com/block/goose/releases/latest/download/install.sh | bash
Basic usage:
goose session # start interactive session
goose session -r # resume last session
goose run "fix tests" # run with a prompt
goose configure # configure settings
Key commands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
goose session | Start a new session |
goose session -r | Resume last session |
goose run <prompt> | Run a single task |
goose configure | Interactive configuration |
goose info | Show current configuration |
Configuration:
~/.config/goose/config.yamlSourcegraph's AI coding agent for the terminal. Designed for large codebase understanding.
Install:
# Download from https://ampcode.com
# Or via npm (check current package name):
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/amp
Basic usage:
amp # interactive mode
amp "explain the auth flow" # start with prompt
amp --continue # continue last conversation
Key features:
Configuration:
~/.amp/settings.jsonAMP.md in project rootGitHub Copilot's CLI integration. Provides command suggestions and explanations via the gh CLI extension.
Install:
gh extension install github/gh-copilot
Key commands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
gh copilot suggest "find large files" | Get command suggestions |
gh copilot explain "tar -xzf file.tar.gz" | Explain a command |
Flags:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-t shell | Target: generic shell command |
-t git | Target: git command |
-t gh | Target: GitHub CLI command |
Examples:
gh copilot suggest -t git "squash last 3 commits"
gh copilot explain "find . -name '*.log' -mtime +30 -delete"
gh copilot suggest -t shell "monitor CPU usage"
Sourcegraph's AI coding assistant with CLI capabilities. Strong at codebase search and understanding.
Install:
npm install -g @sourcegraph/cody
Basic usage:
cody chat "explain this repo" # ask questions
cody auth login # authenticate
cody auth status # check auth
Configuration:
SRC_ACCESS_TOKEN env varSRC_ENDPOINT for self-hosted SourcegraphGo-based AI coding assistant for the terminal. Lightweight TUI with multi-provider support.
Install:
go install github.com/opencode-ai/opencode@latest
# Or download binary from releases
Basic usage:
opencode # launch TUI
Configuration:
opencode.json in project rootAI-powered code quality and test generation tool.
Install:
pip install qodo
# Or:
npm install -g qodo
Key commands:
qodo test <file> # generate tests
qodo review <file> # code review
qodo improve <file> # suggest improvements
AI-powered Neovim plugin. CLI-adjacent — operates within Neovim's terminal-based interface.
Install: Add to Neovim plugin manager (lazy.nvim, packer, etc.):
{ "yetone/avante.nvim", build = "make" }
Key bindings (in Neovim):
<leader>aa — Open Avante chat<leader>ae — Edit selected code with AI<leader>ar — Refresh AI responseConfiguration:
init.lua)The following are primarily IDE-based, not standalone CLI agents:
| Tool | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cline / Roo Code | VS Code extension | Cline forked as Roo Code. No standalone CLI binary. |
| Cursor | IDE (VS Code fork) | Open from terminal with cursor command. |
| Windsurf | IDE (Codeium) | Open from terminal with windsurf command. |
| Trae | IDE (ByteDance) | Open from terminal with trae command. |
| Continue | VS Code / JetBrains plugin | Config: ~/.continue/config.json. Supports all major providers. |
| Tool | Flag/Config | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | --model | claude --model claude-sonnet-4-20250514 |
| Codex CLI | --model | codex --model o4-mini |
| Gemini CLI | --model | gemini --model gemini-2.5-pro |
| Aider | --model | aider --model claude-3.5-sonnet |
| Goose | config file | goose configure then select provider/model |
| Copilot CLI | N/A | Uses GitHub Copilot model |
| OpenCode | config file | Set in opencode.json |
references/tools-comparison.md — Detailed side-by-side feature comparison table across all CLI AI coding tools, covering capabilities, model support, pricing, and platform availability.references/common-patterns.md — Common usage patterns shared across CLI AI tools: context management, multi-file editing, git integration, MCP server configuration, and model routing strategies.npx claudepluginhub biodoia/biodoia-skills-marketplace --plugin cli-ai-toolsInvokes OpenAI Codex and Google Gemini CLIs via Bash for second opinions, code reviews, and alternative analysis. Useful when users request external AI verification or explicitly say 'ask codex' or 'ask gemini'.
Expert in using Claude Code CLI for advanced configuration, hooks, MCPs, CLAUDE.md, workflows, sub-agents, and permissions to maximize productivity.
Answers questions about Claude Code features including setup, best practices, automation, models, plugins, MCP, and configuration by reading reference documentation.