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# Introduction
I’m at present making an attempt to resolve which instruments to make use of for my MLOps and vibe coding tasks. There’s a new VS Code extension or command-line interface (CLI) app launching daily, claiming to steer in terminal benchmarks or topping the coding leaderboards. There’s a lot noise within the area that I’m compelled to put in writing this text to share my private experiences with numerous Agentic Coding CLI instruments and what I like about them. Please word 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’s essential to kind into your terminal to begin utilizing these instruments.
# 1. Claude Code
Claude Code is a number one device for vibe coding and total skilled improvement tasks. 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 not too long ago found the GLM 4.6 Coding Plan and began utilizing Claude Code with GLM 4.6. This implies you’ll be able to modify your Claude Code to make use of any AI mannequin supplier, together with native AI fashions.
All it’s essential to do is run the next command within the terminal to get began:
npm set up -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
The very best half about Claude Code is that I can simply ask it to sort things or construct elements, and it’ll comply with the directions and supply a brief response. This ends in a low error fee, and it’s fairly proficient at invoking instruments and terminal instructions.
Claude Code is my predominant device for day by 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 tasks.
# 2. OpenCode
Opinions on OpenCode are divided; some folks 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, providing you with the pliability to arrange with out advanced configurations. I take advantage of it to check new fashions, consider the MCPs, and construct customized brokers.
If you’re a hardcore coder or knowledgeable developer, you’ll respect the intensive customization choices accessible to switch and enhance OpenCode at a micro degree. You’ll have management over safety, design, features, and total venture administration in a managed setting.
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 by means of 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.
Notice: If you’re utilizing Home windows, please think about using the Alacritty terminal for one of the best expertise.
# 3. Droid
Droid by Manufacturing unit is an incredible AI coding device that’s on the high of the terminal bench, which means it’s actually good at fixing native issues along with your code. I’ve been utilizing it for debugging and resolving my points, as it could learn the Docker logs, return Docker instructions, and sort things mechanically.
What I like essentially the most is that it presents free utilization whenever you create an account. This implies you get knowledgeable trial plan for a month, which helps you entry the most recent Claude and OpenAI fashions. I’ve been utilizing it daily till my trial expired. I find it irresistible; it’s easy and closely maintained by builders.
To get began, kind the next command within the terminal:
curl -fsSL https://app.manufacturing facility.ai/cli | sh
If you’re on the lookout for accuracy in working instructions, debugging, constructing, and automating your coding setup, I extremely suggest you begin with Droid. The one downside is that it would not work effectively 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 not too long ago began utilizing the openai/codex CLI, and I did not understand that I might use it with my ChatGPT plan. The ChatGPT plan is way more worthwhile when you might have entry to VS Code extensions, terminal CLI instruments for agentic coding, and cloud-based agentic workflows. For those who desire to not pay for the $20 ChatGPT subscription, you’ll be able to nonetheless use it with the OpenAI Developer API.
What’s even higher is that you could modify the configuration file to make use of GLM or Minimax fashions as effectively. It’s absolutely customizable, however the expertise with exterior APIs can drop considerably, the place it would not perceive sure tags or calls the fallacious instruments. Subsequently, it’s extremely really helpful to make use of it with the ChatGPT subscription.
To get began, merely kind 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 device for me to entry the most recent OpenAI Codex and GPT-5 fashions. After Claude Code and Droid, I feel I’ll proceed utilizing it for my tasks. Keep tuned for my subsequent replace on the Agentic CLI instruments quickly.
# 5. Gemini CLI
Google has launched its open-source Agentic CLI, often called 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. For those who unintentionally use the Gemini 2.5 professional mannequin, it would eat your free plan restrict with only one immediate. Subsequently, I primarily use the Gemini CLI for testing functions solely.
One other problem I confronted was that, regardless of its customizability, I could not successfully arrange MCP, brokers, or different instruments. I spotted that it already comes with Google service instruments, which inspires using these built-in options as an alternative of counting on third-party instruments.
To start out utilizing the Gemini CLI, kind the next command within the terminal:
npm set up -g @google/gemini-cli
The very best half is that you just get free entry to Gemini CLI instruments, because the free plan covers your primary wants. It mechanically renews, so when you hit the restrict, you’ll be able to start once more the subsequent day. Whereas it’s free, it does include its hassles; because of this it is listed final. Nevertheless, resulting from its recognition 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 one of the best; use it as your major device
- OpenCode is wonderful when you like tinkering along with your workflow to maximise productiveness and worth
- Droid is actually good at debugging and automating your developer expertise
- Codex CLI is bettering and now consists of options that help you construct issues each domestically and within the cloud utilizing the ChatGPT plan
- Gemini CLI is standard resulting from its restricted free plan, however I’d extremely discourage utilizing it, as you could waste time and acquire little worth from it
There are different AI coding CLI instruments on the market, however they don’t seem to be mature or standard 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 an authorized information scientist skilled who loves constructing machine studying fashions. At present, he’s specializing in content material creation and writing technical blogs on machine studying and information 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 kids fighting psychological sickness.
