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# Introduction
I’m at present making an attempt to determine which instruments to make use of for my MLOps and vibe coding initiatives. There’s a new VS Code extension or command-line interface (CLI) app launching every single day, claiming to guide in terminal benchmarks or topping the coding leaderboards. There may be a lot noise within the area that I’m compelled to jot down this text to share my private experiences with varied Agentic Coding CLI instruments and what I like about them. Please notice that these are my private experiences, so they might differ from these of others.
Moreover, all the CLI instruments talked about beneath require Node.js, so it’s finest to put in that earlier than testing them. I’ve additionally included the set up instructions that it is advisable sort into your terminal to begin utilizing these instruments.
# 1. Claude Code
Claude Code is a number one software for vibe coding and total skilled improvement initiatives. You may join your Anthropic API keys for token-based utilization or hyperlink your Claude subscription for subscription-based utilization.
I’ve been utilizing Claude Code with the API, and it has labored rather well to date. Nevertheless, I just lately found the GLM 4.6 Coding Plan and began utilizing Claude Code with GLM 4.6. This implies you possibly can modify your Claude Code to make use of any AI mannequin supplier, together with native AI fashions.
All it is advisable do is run the next command within the terminal to get began:
npm set up -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
The perfect half about Claude Code is that I can simply ask it to make things better or construct elements, and it’ll comply with the directions and supply a brief response. This ends in a low error charge, and it’s fairly proficient at invoking instruments and terminal instructions.
Claude Code is my primary software for every day duties, because it additionally comes with a VS Code extension that lets me ask questions on my code and make modifications straight throughout the IDE. It’s appropriate for each professionals and hobbyists who need to construct thrilling initiatives.
# 2. OpenCode
Opinions on OpenCode are divided; some individuals find it irresistible whereas others dislike it. OpenCode is a very open-source various to Claude Code. It means that you can run any mannequin and helps practically all AI mannequin suppliers, supplying you with the pliability to arrange with out complicated configurations. I take advantage of it to check new fashions, consider the MCPs, and construct customized brokers.
In case you are a hardcore coder or an expert developer, you’ll recognize the intensive customization choices out there to change and enhance OpenCode at a micro stage. You’ll have management over safety, design, features, and total undertaking administration in a managed atmosphere.
To get began, open your terminal and sort the next command:
npm set up -g opencode-ai@newest
You may even discover free fashions supplied by OpenCode and join to numerous fashions via openrouter.ai entry.
I’ve been utilizing OpenCode with the GLM Coding plan and the MiniMax-2 plan. Each have been efficient for my wants, and I take advantage of OpenCode for constructing the UI of my web site and app.
Be aware: In case you are utilizing Home windows, please think about using the Alacritty terminal for the very best expertise.
# 3. Droid
Droid by Manufacturing unit is an incredible AI coding software that’s on the prime of the terminal bench, that means it’s actually good at fixing native issues together with your code. I’ve been utilizing it for debugging and resolving my points, as it might probably learn the Docker logs, return Docker instructions, and make things better mechanically.
What I like essentially the most is that it provides free utilization whenever you create an account. This implies you get an expert trial plan for a month, which helps you entry the newest Claude and OpenAI fashions. I’ve been utilizing it every single day till my trial expired. I find it irresistible; it’s easy and closely maintained by builders.
To get began, sort the next command within the terminal:
curl -fsSL https://app.manufacturing facility.ai/cli | sh
In case you are on the lookout for accuracy in working instructions, debugging, constructing, and automating your coding setup, I extremely advocate you begin with Droid. The one disadvantage is that it does not work properly with customized fashions or exterior AI mannequin suppliers. Maybe on the backend, they’ve optimized the mannequin in order that it makes use of Droid to the fullest.
# 4. Codex CLI
I just lately began utilizing the openai/codex CLI, and I did not notice that I may use it with my ChatGPT plan. The ChatGPT plan is rather more helpful when you will have entry to VS Code extensions, terminal CLI instruments for agentic coding, and cloud-based agentic workflows. Should you choose to not pay for the $20 ChatGPT subscription, you possibly can nonetheless use it with the OpenAI Developer API.
What’s even higher is that you may modify the configuration file to make use of GLM or Minimax fashions as properly. It’s absolutely customizable, however the expertise with exterior APIs can drop considerably, the place it does not perceive sure tags or calls the mistaken instruments. Due to this fact, it’s extremely beneficial to make use of it with the ChatGPT subscription.
To get began, merely sort the next command into your terminal and comply with the directions:
npm set up -g @openai/codex
I’ve began utilizing it as a result of it’s an nearly free software for me to entry the newest OpenAI Codex and GPT-5 fashions. After Claude Code and Droid, I feel I’ll proceed utilizing it for my initiatives. Keep tuned for my subsequent replace on the Agentic CLI instruments quickly.
# 5. Gemini CLI
Google has launched its open-source Agentic CLI, often known as google-gemini/gemini-cli, much like OpenAI and Microsoft Copilot. It’s absolutely customizable, however I encountered many points whereas making an attempt to set it up and derive any worth from it. Should you by chance use the Gemini 2.5 professional mannequin, it’s going to eat your free plan restrict with only one immediate. Due to this fact, I primarily use the Gemini CLI for testing functions solely.
One other difficulty I confronted was that, regardless of its customizability, I could not successfully arrange MCP, brokers, or different instruments. I noticed that it already comes with Google service instruments, which inspires the usage of these built-in options as a substitute of counting on third-party instruments.
To start out utilizing the Gemini CLI, sort the next command within the terminal:
npm set up -g @google/gemini-cli
The perfect half is that you just get free entry to Gemini CLI instruments, because the free plan covers your fundamental wants. It mechanically renews, so when you hit the restrict, you possibly can start once more the subsequent day. Whereas it’s free, it does include its hassles; that is why it is listed final. Nevertheless, attributable to its reputation and being free to make use of, I made a decision to incorporate it within the checklist.
# TL;DR
For individuals who scroll all the way down to learn the abstract:
- Claude Code is the very best; use it as your main software
- OpenCode is superb for those who like tinkering together with your workflow to maximise productiveness and worth
- Droid is absolutely good at debugging and automating your developer expertise
- Codex CLI is bettering and now contains options that let you construct issues each domestically and within the cloud utilizing the ChatGPT plan
- Gemini CLI is well-liked attributable to its restricted free plan, however I might extremely discourage utilizing it, as chances are you’ll waste time and achieve little worth from it
There are different AI coding CLI instruments on the market, however they aren’t mature or well-liked sufficient for me to incorporate right here. All of the CLI instruments talked about above work flawlessly on Home windows, even with out Home windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). So, go forward and begin typing the above instructions to expertise the brand new period of agentic coding.
Abid Ali Awan (@1abidaliawan) is a licensed knowledge scientist skilled who loves constructing machine studying fashions. Presently, he’s specializing in content material creation and writing technical blogs on machine studying and knowledge science applied sciences. Abid holds a Grasp’s diploma in know-how administration and a bachelor’s diploma in telecommunication engineering. His imaginative and prescient is to construct an AI product utilizing a graph neural community for college students fighting psychological sickness.
