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# Introduction
I’m currently trying to decide which tools to use for my MLOPS and Vib coding projects. There’s a new VS Code extension or command-line interface (CLI) app that launches every day, claiming to lead Terminal benchmarks or top coding leaderboards. There is so much noise in this space that I felt compelled to write this article to share my personal experiences with various Agent Coding CLI tools and what I like about them. Please note that these are my personal experiences, so they may differ from others.
Additionally, all the CLI tools mentioned below are required node.jsso it is better to install it before testing. I’ve also included the installation commands you need to type into your terminal to start using these tools.
# 1. Cloud code
Claude Code Vibe is an important resource for coding and overall professional development projects. You can connect your Entropic API keys for token-based usage or connect your cloud subscription for subscription-based usage.
I’ve been using CloudCode with the API, and it’s worked really well so far. However, I recently found out GLM 4.6 coding plan And started using cloudcode with GLM 4.6. This means you can modify your cloud code to use any AI model provider, including native AI models.
To get started you just need to run the following command in Terminal:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
The best thing about CloudCode is that I can just ask it to fix things or build components, and it will follow the instructions and provide a short answer. This results in a low error rate, and is quite proficient in tooling tools and terminal commands.
CloudCode is my primary tool for day-to-day tasks, as it also comes with a VS Code extension that allows me to ask questions about my code and edit it directly within the IDE. It is suitable for both professionals and hobbyists who want to create interesting projects.
# 2. Open Kid
On opinion Open code are divided; Some people like it while others dislike it. OpenCode is a truly open source alternative to CloudCode. It allows you to run any model and supports almost all AI model providers, giving you the flexibility to configure without complex configuration. I use it to test new models, test MCPS and build custom agents.
If you’re a hardware coder or professional developer, you’ll appreciate the extensive customization options available to modify and improve open code at the micro level. In a controlled environment you will have control over security, design, functions and overall project management.
To begin, open your terminal and type the following command:
npm install -g opencode-ai@latest
You can even explore the free models provided by OpenCode and link to different models at openrouter.ax.
I have been using OpenCode with GLM coding plan and Minimax-2 plan. Both have been effective for my needs, and I use open source to build my website and app UI.
Note: If you are using Windows, please consider using Alacrity Terminal for the best experience.
# 3. droid
droid ByFactory is an amazing AI coding tool on top of Terminal Bench, meaning it’s really good at solving local problems with your code. I’m using it for debugging and troubleshooting my problems, because it can read docker logs, return docker commands, and fix things automatically.
What I like the most is that it offers free usage when you create an account. This means you get a professional trial plan for one month, which helps you access the latest Cloud and OpenAI models. I continued to use it every day until my trial ended. I like it; It is simple and maintained by many developers.
To get started, type the following command in Terminal:
curl -fsSL | sh
If you’re looking for precision in running, debugging, building, and automating your coding setup, I highly recommend you start with Druid. The only drawback is that it doesn’t work well with custom models or external AI model providers. Perhaps on the backend, they’ve improved the model so that it fully utilizes the droid.
# 4. Codex CLI
I recently started using OpenEye/Codex CLI, and I didn’t realize I could use it with my Chat GPT plan. The ChatGPT plan is a great value when you get access to VS Code extensions, Terminal CLI tools for agentic coding, and cloud-based agent workflows. If you prefer not to pay for the chag 20 chat gpt subscription, you can still use it with the OpenAI Developer API.
Even better, you can edit the configuration file to use GLM or Minimax models as well. It’s fully customizable, but the experience can degrade significantly with external APIs, where it doesn’t understand certain tags or calls the wrong tools. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use it with a Chat GPT subscription.
To get started, just type the following command into your terminal and follow the instructions:
npm install -g @openai/codex
I started using it because it’s a free tool for me to access the latest OpenAI codecs and GPT5 models. After Cloudcode and Druid, I think I will continue to use it for my projects. Stay tuned for my next update on Agentic CLI tools soon.
# 5. Gemini CLI
Google has launched its own open source agentic CLI, called Google-Gemini/Gemini-CLIlike OpenAI and Microsoft Copilot. It’s fully customizable, but I ran into a lot of problems while trying to set it up and get a value from it. If you accidentally use the Gemini 2.5 Pro model, it will use up your free plan limit with just a hint. So, I mainly use Gemini CLI for testing purposes only.
Another problem I encountered was that, despite customizing it, I could not configure MCP, agents or other tools effectively. I noticed that it already comes with Google Service Tools, which encourages the use of built-in features rather than relying on third-party tools.
To start using the Gemini CLI, type the following command in Terminal:
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
The best part is that you get free access to the Gemini CLI tools, as the free plan covers your basic needs. It automatically renews, so once you hit the limit, you can start over the next day. Although it is free, it comes with its own problems. That’s why it’s listed last. However, due to its popularity and being free to use, I decided to include it in the list.
# tl; Dr
For those who scroll down to read the synopsis:
- Claude Code is excellent; Use it as your primary tool
- Open code Amazing if you love tinkering with your workflow for maximum productivity and value.
- droid Really good at debugging and automating your developer experience
- Codex CLI Improvements continue and now include features that allow you to create content locally and in the cloud using the Chat GPT plan.
- Gemini CLI Popular because of its limited free plan, but I would highly discourage using it, as you can waste time and get very little value out of it.
There are other AI coding CLI tools out there, but they are not mature or popular enough for me to include here. All of the above CLI tools work flawlessly on Windows, even without the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). So, go ahead and start typing the above commands to experience the new era of agent coding.
Abid Ali Owan For centuries.@1abidaliawan) is a certified data scientist professional who loves building machine learning models. Currently, he is focusing on content creation and writing technical blogs on machine learning and data science technologies. Abid holds a Master’s degree in Technology Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunication Engineering. His vision is to create an AI product using graph neural networks for students with mental illness.