Spaces:
Build error
Build error
--- | |
title: CLI Mode | |
description: CLI mode provides a powerful interactive Command-Line Interface (CLI) that lets you engage with OpenHands directly from your terminal. | |
--- | |
This mode is different from the [headless mode](./headless-mode), which is non-interactive and better for scripting. | |
## Getting Started | |
### Running with Python | |
1. Ensure you have followed the [Development setup instructions](https://github.com/All-Hands-AI/OpenHands/blob/main/Development.md). | |
2. Set your model, API key, and other preferences using environment variables or with the [`config.toml`](https://github.com/All-Hands-AI/OpenHands/blob/main/config.template.toml) file. | |
3. Launch an interactive OpenHands conversation from the command line: | |
```bash | |
poetry run python -m openhands.cli.main | |
``` | |
This command opens an interactive prompt where you can type tasks or commands and get responses from OpenHands. | |
### Running with Docker | |
1. Set the following environment variables in your terminal: | |
- `SANDBOX_VOLUMES` to specify the directory you want OpenHands to access ([See using SANDBOX_VOLUMES for more info](../runtimes/docker#using-sandbox_volumes)) | |
- `LLM_MODEL` - the LLM model to use (e.g. `export LLM_MODEL="anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-20250514"`) | |
- `LLM_API_KEY` - your API key (e.g. `export LLM_API_KEY="sk_test_12345"`) | |
2. Run the following command: | |
```bash | |
docker run -it \ | |
--pull=always \ | |
-e SANDBOX_RUNTIME_CONTAINER_IMAGE=docker.all-hands.dev/all-hands-ai/runtime:0.41-nikolaik \ | |
-e SANDBOX_USER_ID=$(id -u) \ | |
-e SANDBOX_VOLUMES=$SANDBOX_VOLUMES \ | |
-e LLM_API_KEY=$LLM_API_KEY \ | |
-e LLM_MODEL=$LLM_MODEL \ | |
-v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \ | |
-v ~/.openhands-state:/.openhands-state \ | |
--add-host host.docker.internal:host-gateway \ | |
--name openhands-app-$(date +%Y%m%d%H%M%S) \ | |
docker.all-hands.dev/all-hands-ai/openhands:0.41 \ | |
python -m openhands.cli.main --override-cli-mode true | |
``` | |
This launches the CLI in Docker, allowing you to interact with OpenHands as described above. | |
The `-e SANDBOX_USER_ID=$(id -u)` ensures files created by the agent in your workspace have the correct permissions. | |
## Interactive CLI Overview | |
### What is CLI Mode? | |
CLI mode enables real-time interaction with OpenHands agents. You can type natural language tasks, use interactive | |
commands, and receive instant feedback—all inside your terminal. | |
### Starting a Conversation | |
When you start the CLI, you'll see a welcome message and a prompt (`>`). Enter your first task or type a command to | |
begin your conversation. | |
### Available Commands | |
You can use the following commands whenever the prompt (`>`) is displayed: | |
| Command | Description | | |
|--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | |
| `/help` | Show all available interactive commands and their descriptions | | |
| `/exit` | Exit the application | | |
| `/init` | Initialize a new repository for agent exploration | | |
| `/status` | Show conversation details and usage metrics | | |
| `/new` | Start a new conversation | | |
| `/settings` | View and modify current LLM/agent settings | | |
| `/resume` | Resume the agent if paused | | |
#### Settings and Configuration | |
You can update your model, API key, agent, and other preferences interactively using the `/settings` command. Just | |
follow the prompts: | |
- **Basic settings**: Choose a model/provider and enter your API key. | |
- **Advanced settings**: Set custom endpoints, enable or disable confirmation mode, and configure memory condensation. | |
Settings can also be managed via the `config.toml` file. | |
#### Repository Initialization | |
The `/init` command helps the agent understand your project by creating a `.openhands/microagents/repo.md` file with | |
project details and structure. Use this when onboarding the agent to a new codebase. | |
#### Agent Pause/Resume Feature | |
You can pause the agent while it is running by pressing `Ctrl-P`. To continue the conversation after pausing, simply | |
type `/resume` at the prompt. | |
## Tips and Troubleshooting | |
- Use `/help` at any time to see the list of available commands. | |
- If you encounter permission issues, make sure your workspace directory is trusted and all required environment variables are set correctly. | |
- For advanced LLM configuration, use the advanced options in `/settings`. | |
- When confirmation mode is enabled, the CLI will prompt before sensitive operations. You can type `a` or `always` at the first confirmation prompt to automatically confirm subsequent actions for the current conversation. | |
- If you want to start over, use `/new` to begin a fresh conversation without restarting the CLI. | |
--- | |