CLI Manager vs ExcaliClaw: Features, Pricing & Which Is Better (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of CLI Manager and ExcaliClaw — features, pricing, and ideal use cases — to help you decide which AI tool fits your workflow.
CLI Manager
solhun
Free, open-source macOS app that manages Claude Code, Codex CLI and Gemini CLI sessions, projects and worktrees from one dashboard.
Key features
- Unified Agent Dashboard: Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI and plain shells run side by side in one sidebar, grouped into project folders and named by role.
- AI Control API: Lets Claude Code, Codex or a script open visible terminal sessions, send prompts and read the screen over a local, token-protected connection; off by default.
- In-App Diff Review: Open the diff for any workspace, select lines and send a comment with file and line numbers straight back to the agent's terminal.
- Hook-Based Session Status: Uses official Claude Code and Codex hooks so a permission prompt is never mistaken for a finished task, plus usage alerts before the 5-hour or weekly limit.
- Built-In Git Worktrees: Each worktree becomes its own workspace with its own sessions, and a Source Control panel handles stage, commit, push and history.
- Session Memos: Per-session notes saved as you type that persist across restarts and can be read by an AI working through the Control API.
- Loop Dashboard: A dedicated window to watch Claude Code /loop sessions per project, showing iteration count, status and timing.
Best for
- Multi-Agent Development: Running Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI on different tasks in parallel while keeping every session visible in one sidebar.
- Agent Orchestration: Having a primary coding agent open and drive other CLI agents in watchable terminals through the AI Control API.
- Code Review of Agent Output: Reviewing diffs from an agent's worktree and sending line-level feedback back without leaving the app.
- Parallel Feature Branches: Using Git worktrees as separate workspaces so several features progress at once, each with its own agent session.
- Usage Limit Monitoring: Tracking Claude Code and Codex usage so long-running agent work is not cut off unexpectedly.
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ExcaliClaw
ExcaliClaw
Browser-based collaborative workspace for hand-drawn diagrams with MCP tools so AI agents like Claude and Cursor can draw with you.
Key features
- Persistent Storage: Every drawing is saved automatically.
- Collections and Search: Organize drawings into folders and search across all of them instantly.
- Real-Time Collaboration: Share a link and draw together with live cursors.
- MCP Tools for AI Agents: Let Claude, Cursor, VS Code and other agents draw and edit diagrams with you.
- Flexible Sharing: Share drawings by public link or by username.
- Import and Export: Export everything to JSON and import drawings from other tools such as Miro.
Best for
- AI-Assisted Diagramming: Ask an agent in Claude or Cursor to sketch an architecture diagram.
- Team Whiteboarding: Brainstorm with teammates in real time on a shared canvas.
- Engineering Documentation: Keep flowcharts and ER diagrams organized in searchable collections.
- Diagram Migration: Import existing drawings from Miro or JSON exports.
- Client Sharing: Send a public link to a diagram for review.