In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made its way into almost every corner of software development, and now, even into the Command Line Interface (CLI). These new AI-powered CLIs help developers write, debug, and understand code faster, automate repetitive tasks, and even generate documentation or test cases directly from the terminal.
Below I share the 9 best AI CLIs that every developer should try:
1. Gemini CLI (Google)
The Gemini CLI brings Google’s Gemini AI models directly to your terminal. It allows developers to generate code, analyze scripts, and even interact with APIs without leaving the command line. Perfect for those who use Google Cloud or Gemini Pro.
2. Claude Code (Anthropic)
Claude Code is the CLI version of Anthropic’s Claude model. It offers context-aware code generation, refactoring, and natural language explanations for code. It’s highly appreciated for its ethical AI design and ability to handle large contexts efficiently.
3. Codex CLI (OpenAI)
Codex CLI by OpenAI is built on the same foundation as GPT and Codex. It allows you to describe what you want in natural language and instantly get working code snippets or shell commands. It’s a must-have for developers who use ChatGPT for coding.
4. Goose (Block)
Goose by Block is a lesser-known yet powerful AI assistant for developers. It can execute instructions, summarize outputs, and automate workflows directly in the CLI, ideal for quick data analysis and coding experiments.
5. Grok CLI (xAI)
Developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, the Grok CLI brings the same witty intelligence of Grok AI into your terminal. It integrates with various tools, helping developers with real-time debugging, command explanations, and system insights.
6. Cursor CLI (Anysphere)
Cursor CLI focuses on making your coding experience faster. It can explain errors, suggest improvements, and even complete code across multiple languages. The team behind Cursor emphasizes a seamless developer experience.
7. GH CLI (Microsoft)
The GitHub (GH) CLI now includes AI-powered features through GitHub Copilot. You can get code suggestions, explanations, and command recommendations, all while managing your repositories from the terminal.
8. Q Dev CLI (Amazon)
Q Dev CLI brings Amazon’s AI agent Q to developers. It connects directly with AWS environments, allowing natural language queries for managing resources, generating Lambda functions, and building serverless applications faster.
9. Ollama CLI (Ollama)
Ollama CLI allows you to run large language models locally, including Llama, Mistral, and other open models. Developers can interact with these models directly from the terminal, no cloud required, making it perfect for privacy-conscious users.
Gift:
A picture is worth a thousand words. Below is an image of the 9 AI CLIs:
Conclusion
AI-powered CLIs are no longer experimental toys, they are practical tools that boost productivity, reduce context switching, and make complex tasks accessible directly from the terminal.
Whether you prefer cloud-powered assistants like Gemini and Codex, team-integrated tools like GH CLI, or local-model solutions like Ollama, there’s a CLI that fits your workflow and security needs.
Start by testing one or two of these tools on small tasks (code generation, debugging, or infra automation) and expand from there. In short: adopt incrementally, measure impact, and let AI handle repetitive work so you can focus on higher-level design and problem solving.
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