CLI-Anything is a framework that automatically generates production-ready, stateful command-line interfaces for GUI applications by analyzing their source code.
It enables AI agents to control complex software like Blender, GIMP, and LibreOffice through structured commands and JSON output, bypassing the fragility of traditional GUI automation.
- 01
Automated 7-phase pipeline for CLI generation and testing
- 02
Direct integration with real software backends for reliable execution
- 03
Built-in JSON output and REPL mode for agent-native interaction
- 04
Stateful session management with undo/redo capabilities
- 05
AI-discoverable skill definitions via auto-generated SKILL.md files
Open Source
The project is open-source and distributed under the Apache-2.0 license.
Best for
Transforming GUI-based desktop applications into agent-controllable tools for automated workflows, data processing, and creative tasks.
Not ideal for
Applications that are purely binary with no accessible source code, real-time interactive software, or tasks requiring direct GPU/display access.
A powerful, high-quality tool for bridging the gap between AI agents and desktop software, offering a reliable alternative to brittle GUI automation through a robust, test-driven development methodology.
Version 0.4.0 introduced the CLI-Matrix command family for multi-CLI workflow orchestration, added 30 new CLI harnesses (including ArcGIS Pro, Joplin, and Rekordbox), and implemented significant security hardenings for token and XML handling.
As of
Is CLI-Anything free?+
Yes - CLI-Anything is Open Source. The project is open-source and distributed under the Apache-2.0 license.
Is CLI-Anything open source?+
Yes - CLI-Anything is open source. The project is open-source and distributed under the Apache-2.0 license.
Who is CLI-Anything best for?+
Transforming GUI-based desktop applications into agent-controllable tools for automated workflows, data processing, and creative tasks.
Who is CLI-Anything not ideal for?+
Applications that are purely binary with no accessible source code, real-time interactive software, or tasks requiring direct GPU/display access.
What are the best CLI-Anything alternatives?+
The closest CLI-Anything alternatives on ai.dosa.dev are Pieces for Developers, agenttrace, Vibe Kanban - all listed under Developer Productivity & Workflow.
Who makes CLI-Anything?+
CLI-Anything is developed by HKUDS (Hong Kong University of Data Science). It is listed in the Developer Productivity & Workflow category on ai.dosa.dev.
Favorite this tool to revisit it later, or Zap it to contribute to the public vote count.