Yes. The local tier is completely free and open source, and it works with an Ollama model on your machine. The platform tier with hosted models and advanced automation is a paid subscription.

Do I need an API key to use it?

No, not for local use. Bob talks to Ollama directly, so there are no keys and no per-token cost. If you'd rather use a hosted provider, you can add your own key with bob byok set .

Does my code leave my machine?

Not on the local tier. AI calls go to your own Ollama instance and your files stay in the project folder on your disk. Code only reaches the cloud if you deliberately log in, and even then it's conversation data rather than your full source tree.

What local models can Bob's CLI run?

Any model that runs on Ollama with an OpenAI-compatible chat endpoint. That includes Llama, Gemma, Mistral, CodeLlama, DeepSeek, Phi, and custom fine-tunes, all reached through Ollama's default endpoint.

Which platforms work with Bob's CLI?

It runs anywhere Node 18 or newer is available, which covers macOS, Windows, and Linux. It also works inside an IDE's built-in terminal, so you can run bob chat next to your code in editors like Android Studio.

How is it different from a browser-based AI coding tool?

A browser chat has no awareness of your project. Bob indexes your codebase, discovers relevant files on its own, edits with your approval, and keeps conversations tied to each project, which is closer to having a reviewer at your desk than emailing a consultant. Bob's CLI is a strong fit if you want a free, private AI coding assistant that lives in your terminal and grows into autonomous work when you're ready. Start with the local tier and Ollama, run bob analyse on a real project, and move to the platform only when synced conversations or hosted models earn their keep. There's no rush.

Bob's CLI

Bob's Workshop (Seedling) · Coding

Bob's CLI is a free, open-source AI coding assistant that runs inside your terminal instead of a browser. It reads the files in your project, works with zero-cost local models through Ollama, and covers code review, QA analysis with auto-fix, and multi-step autonomous work from a single command. Think of it as a terminal coding agent that stays lightweight next to paid cloud tools. Because it's an npm-based command line, cloud sync only turns on when you log in.

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About Bob's CLI

What Is Bob's CLI

Bob's CLI is a terminal-first AI coding assistant built by Bob's Workshop, a Seedling company. It's a local AI coding tool that installs through npm and answers to the command bob. Most AI coding tools live in a browser tab, disconnected from your actual workflow. Bob sits where your code already lives. It discovers relevant files, proposes edits that you approve, and keeps a conversation tied to each project.

The tool runs in two modes. Tier 1 is local-first and completely free. Bob talks to an Ollama model on your own machine, so your source code never leaves your computer. No API keys. No token bills. Tier 3 connects to the Bob's Workshop platform, which swaps in hosted models like Claude and Gemini. It also brings synced conversations, deep dives, forks, and digital-twin automation.

The biggest limitation is that the free local mode asks more of you. You need Node 18 or newer and a working Ollama install with a capable model, and the quality of answers tracks whatever model you run. The richer automation, like UserBob and cross-project references, sits behind the paid platform and, in some cases, an organization account. That's the trade-off.

Getting Started

Install the CLI globally with pnpm add -g @bobsworkshop/cli or the npm equivalent.
For free local use, make sure Ollama is running on your machine; Bob detects it automatically with no configuration needed.
Open a terminal inside your project folder and run bob chat "your question" to start a coding conversation.
Run bob index so Bob can map your codebase, then bob analyse for a QA review or bob analyse --auto to apply fixes.
Run bob login when you want to sync conversations to the web and open up the platform features.

Product Information

A quick look at Bob's CLI's pricing, supported platforms, and performance.

Free PlanYes

Paid PlansSubscription tiers (Patch, Build, Forge, Grid)

PlatformmacOS, Windows, Linux (Node.js 18+)

DeveloperBob's Workshop (Seedling)

CategoryCoding

Release DateJun 2026

Latest UpdatedSep 2026

Website Visits4.2M

Website Global Rank14.5K

API AvailabilityYes

Best for

The users, tasks, and scenarios where this tool fits best.

Users

Individual developers
Privacy-minded engineers
Small teams

Tasks

Code review and QA
Autonomous multi-file work
Backup and restore
Quick refactors

Scenarios

Debugging a project that shares patterns with another codebase, using cross-project references to pull in the real implementation.
Migrating to a new laptop and rebuilding your full setup from an encrypted backup in minutes.
Running a code review late at night without burning cloud credits on a long conversation.
Keeping a long-running project's conversation history tied to that folder so context doesn't leak between codebases.

Key features

Local-first chat with file discovery

bob chat is the heart of the tool. It's an AI coding partner that finds the files relevant to your question on its own. It runs against your local Ollama model by default, so a session costs nothing and never sends code off your machine. You approve each edit before it lands.

QA analysis with auto-fix

bob analyse performs a full code review across your project, sorting findings into bugs, features, improvements, and upgrades with implementation notes. That alone saves a review pass. The --auto flag applies fixes under safety constraints, and any file it touches gets backed up first.

The Crew multi-agent orchestration

The Crew spawns named agents and lets a supervisor, DirectorBob, coordinate them. He reads your codebase, builds a dependency-aware task map, and reviews every file change and commit before it's accepted. Stuck agents get feedback. The mission pauses for you if it can't be resolved.

VaultBob backup and restore

VaultBob is an encrypted backup and versioning system for your work. You can back up project context, real source files, or a single file, and restore any version later. Named archives act like Git tags, and a global backup captures your whole engineering setup for a machine move.

UserBob digital twin

UserBob builds an autonomous proxy from your behavioral profile and negotiates with Bob on your behalf until a mission reaches your satisfaction target. It runs without human input, and you can tune the parameters or watch each step in the Command Center.

Cross-project references

On an organization account, you can pull context from any shared project straight into a conversation. Type an alias or run /pin to lock a reference for the session, and Bob answers using files from that other codebase.

BYOK and hosted models

The platform tier connects to Claude and Gemini through a Bob's Workshop account, and you can also bring your own API keys with bob byok set. Got a favorite provider? Use it. That gives you a path from a free local model to stronger hosted models without changing commands.

Pros and cons

Pros

The local tier is genuinely free and open source, with no token meter and no API keys required.
It works where your code lives, so there's no copy-pasting between a browser tab and your editor.
Changes stay approval-gated, and every file write is backed up before it happens.
Multi-agent missions and encrypted backups are unusual features to find inside a single CLI.

Cons

The free experience depends on Ollama and a model you supply, so setup and answer quality are on you.
UserBob, cross-project references, and hosted models sit behind the paid platform tier, and org features need an organization account.
The feature set has grown fast, which means a fairly large command surface to learn.

Frequently asked questions

Bob's CLI is an AI coding assistant for the terminal. It reads your project files, answers coding questions, reviews code, and can run autonomous agent missions that edit files, all without leaving your development environment.

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