# CLI Manager

> CLI Manager runs Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini CLI in one sidebar and lets external AI tools control terminal sessions via a local API. It is for developers who want to script or orchestrate AI agents while watching them work in real time.

- Type: AI tool
- Page: https://completeaitraining.com/ai-tools/cli-manager/
- Published: 2026-10-10
- Updated: 2026-10-14
- Author: Jeroen Erne
- Jobs: IT and development
- Topics: Developer Tools, Open Source, Coding, Productivity
- Reading time: 2 min

### About CLI Manager

CLI Manager is an open-source (MIT) macOS application that runs multiple AI CLI agents - Claude Code, Codex CLI, and Gemini CLI - side by side in a single sidebar. Users can organize projects and git worktrees, rename sessions, and jump to an editor in one click. The tool also includes an AI Control API (REST + MCP, local only, off by default) that lets one AI agent open and drive sessions in terminals the user can watch, with a Disconnect AI function to take back control at any time.

### Review

CLI Manager consolidates several command-line AI coding agents into one window, which reduces the friction of switching between terminal tabs. The recent addition of the AI Control API shifts the tool from a passive session organizer to something that can actively coordinate work across agents. It's free and MIT-licensed, with the current limitation of macOS-only support.

#### Key Features

- Runs Claude Code, Codex CLI, and Gemini CLI in a single sidebar with session renaming and project organization
- AI Control API (REST + MCP, 127.0.0.1 only) allows one agent to open sessions, send prompts, wait, and read terminal output
- Visual indicators show when an AI is driving a session - the session turns green and the orchestrator gets a crown icon
- Disconnect AI button immediately returns terminal control to the user
- Cmd+Click on file paths (with line numbers), URLs, and localhost links opens them directly in the configured editor or browser

#### Pricing and Value

CLI Manager is free and distributed under the MIT open-source license. There is no paid tier, subscription, or usage-based pricing mentioned in the available information.

#### Pros

- Consolidates three major CLI coding agents into one interface, cutting down on window management
- MIT license means no vendor lock-in and full access to modify the source code
- AI Control API runs locally on 127.0.0.1 and ships turned off by default, so nothing phones home
- Disconnect AI gives a fast, manual override if an agent-driven session goes off track
- Cmd+Click file path navigation works with line numbers and localhost URLs, saving small but frequent copy-paste steps

#### Cons

- macOS only - Windows and Linux users cannot run the tool at this time
- The AI Control API is off by default, which is safe, but means first-time setup requires deliberate configuration steps
- Not well suited for users who work with a single CLI agent or prefer a minimal terminal setup without a GUI layer

CLI Manager fits developers who regularly juggle multiple CLI coding agents and want a visual dashboard to track them all. It's also worth a look for anyone experimenting with agent orchestration, since the local API lets one agent dispatch work to others while keeping human oversight a click away. Teams working across operating systems will need to wait for broader platform support.

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