CLI Reference

Complete quick reference for CLI flags, subcommands, and in-TUI slash commands.

What it is

crabcode is the top-level command. Two entry points:

Subcommands — run from your shell, e.g. crabcode doctor, crabcode cron list
Slash commands — typed inside the TUI, e.g. /help, /init, /model

When you see this doc

Looking up a specific flag or slash command
Browsing available subcommands

Launching

With no subcommand, crabcode opens the TUI:

bash

crabcode                  # Launch interactive TUI (default)
crabcode "explain this"   # Enter a session with a prompt
crabcode -p "summarize"   # One-shot print mode: print and exit
crabcode                  # Launch interactive TUI (default)
crabcode "explain this"   # Enter a session with a prompt
crabcode -p "summarize"   # One-shot print mode: print and exit

Subcommands

bash

crabcode doctor           # Diagnose environment (version / platform / git / gh / bootstrap)
crabcode version          # Print version only (same as --version)
crabcode browser ...      # Built-in browser automation (crabcode-browser, see [chrome](/en/docs/crabcode/chrome))
crabcode cron ...         # Cron job management (see matrix below)
crabcode auth ...         # Login / status / logout
crabcode mcp ...          # MCP server management
crabcode plugin ...       # Plugins, marketplace, install, enable/disable
crabcode server           # Start the App Server for desktop / IDE / local integrations
crabcode serve            # Native launcher service entry
crabcode open <cc-url>    # Open a cc://connect?... deep link
crabcode ssh <host> [dir] # Enter a remote working directory over SSH
crabcode agents           # Manage agent configuration
crabcode auto-mode ...    # Auto-mode defaults / config / critique
crabcode update           # Check and install the latest version (upgrade also works)
crabcode install          # Install / reinstall the native build
crabcode --help           # Full subcommand + flag listing
crabcode doctor           # Diagnose environment (version / platform / git / gh / bootstrap)
crabcode version          # Print version only (same as --version)
crabcode browser ...      # Built-in browser automation (crabcode-browser, see [chrome](/en/docs/crabcode/chrome))
crabcode cron ...         # Cron job management (see matrix below)
crabcode auth ...         # Login / status / logout
crabcode mcp ...          # MCP server management
crabcode plugin ...       # Plugins, marketplace, install, enable/disable
crabcode server           # Start the App Server for desktop / IDE / local integrations
crabcode serve            # Native launcher service entry
crabcode open <cc-url>    # Open a cc://connect?... deep link
crabcode ssh <host> [dir] # Enter a remote working directory over SSH
crabcode agents           # Manage agent configuration
crabcode auto-mode ...    # Auto-mode defaults / config / critique
crabcode update           # Check and install the latest version (upgrade also works)
crabcode install          # Install / reinstall the native build
crabcode --help           # Full subcommand + flag listing

Current builds support both installer-script upgrades and CLI update / upgrade / install flows. If a platform-specific launcher differs, trust crabcode --help. There is no public crabcode uninstall subcommand; see Install, PATH, and uninstall for program cleanup, PATH cleanup, and data-retention choices.

Account: `crabcode auth`

Subcommand	Purpose
`crabcode auth login`	Start login
`crabcode auth status`	Print account state
`crabcode auth logout`	Sign out

MCP: `crabcode mcp`

Subcommand	Purpose
`crabcode mcp serve`	Run CrabCode as an MCP server
`crabcode mcp list`	List configured MCP servers
`crabcode mcp add <name> <command> [args...]`	Add a stdio MCP server
`crabcode mcp add-json <name> '<json>'`	Add from JSON config
`crabcode mcp add-from-crabcode-desktop`	Import from desktop config
`crabcode mcp get <name>`	Show one server config
`crabcode mcp remove <name>`	Remove a server
`crabcode mcp reset-project-choices`	Reset project-level MCP choices

Plugins: `crabcode plugin` / `crabcode plugins`

Subcommand	Purpose
`crabcode plugin list`	List plugins
`crabcode plugin validate <dir>`	Validate a local plugin
`crabcode plugin install <source>`	Install a plugin
`crabcode plugin uninstall <id>`	Uninstall a plugin
`crabcode plugin enable <id>` / `disable <id>`	Enable or disable
`crabcode plugin update <id>`	Update
`crabcode plugin marketplace add <url>`	Add a marketplace
`crabcode plugin marketplace list`	List marketplaces
`crabcode plugin marketplace remove <id>`	Remove a marketplace
`crabcode plugin marketplace update <id>`	Update a marketplace

App Server, deep links, and remote

Command	Purpose
`crabcode server`	Start the local App Server and print a `cc://connect?...` URL
`crabcode open <cc-url>`	Open a `cc://connect?transport=tcp-ws...` deep link
`crabcode ssh <host> [dir]`	Run CrabCode in a remote working directory over SSH
`crabcode remote-control` / `crabcode rc`	Remote-control bridge
`crabcode daemon ...`	Daemon management entry

Background sessions

Command	Purpose
`crabcode --bg "..."`	Run a task in the background
`crabcode ps`	List background sessions
`crabcode logs <id>`	Show background logs
`crabcode attach <id>`	Attach to a background session
`crabcode kill <id>`	Stop a background session

Other management entries

Command	Purpose
`crabcode wizard`	Interactive setup or diagnosis wizard
`crabcode setup-token`	Set or refresh a local token
`crabcode agents`	Manage custom agents
`crabcode auto-mode defaults`	Print auto-mode defaults
`crabcode auto-mode config`	Inspect or edit auto-mode config
`crabcode auto-mode critique`	Critique auto-mode behavior
`crabcode environment-runner`	Environment runner entry
`crabcode self-hosted-runner`	Self-hosted runner entry

`crabcode cron` subcommand matrix

Cron jobs run via a standalone crabcode-cron daemon that is auto-spawned on first use. Disable with CRABCODE_DISABLE_CRON=1.

Subcommand	Purpose
`crabcode cron list [--json]`	List all cron jobs
`crabcode cron add --name <n> --schedule "<cron>" [--once] [--agent-id <id>] [--message <s>]`	Create a recurring job from a 5-field cron expression
`crabcode cron add --name <n> --at <ISO-8601>`	Fire once at an absolute time (implies `--once`)
`crabcode cron add --name <n> --every-ms <ms>`	Fire every N milliseconds
`crabcode cron edit <id> [--name ...] [--schedule ...] [--agent-id ...] [--message ...]`	Edit selected fields on an existing job
`crabcode cron rm <id>`	Remove a job
`crabcode cron enable <id>`	Enable a job
`crabcode cron disable <id>`	Disable a job
`crabcode cron status [--json]`	Daemon status (total / enabled jobs / version)
`crabcode cron run <id>`	Fire once immediately
`crabcode cron runs <id> [--limit N] [--json]`	View run history

--schedule / --at / --every-ms are mutually exclusive. --at implies --once.

Common flags

Flag	Description
`-p, --print`	One-shot: prompt → output → exit
`-c, --continue`	Continue the most recent session in this directory
`-r, --resume [<id>]`	Pick a past session (interactive if no id given)
`--fork-session`	When resuming, allocate a fresh session id
`--model <name>`	Pick model (semantic alias like `best` / `planmode`, or full model id)
`--effort <level>`	Thinking effort: `low` / `medium` / `high` / `max`
`--permission-mode <mode>`	Startup mode: `default` / `acceptEdits` / `plan` / `bypassPermissions` / `dontAsk`
`--add-dir <path...>`	Grant CrabCode extra working directories (repeatable)
`--mcp-config <file...>`	Load one or more MCP server configs
`--plugin-dir <path>`	Load plugins from a directory for this session (repeatable)
`--settings <file-or-json>`	Load additional settings (file path or JSON string)
`--agents <json>`	Inline JSON defining custom agents
`--agent <name>`	Start with the given agent active
`--session-id <uuid>`	Use a specific session id (must be a valid UUID)
`-n, --name <name>`	Display name for the session
`--output-format <fmt>`	`--print` output format: `text` / `json` / `stream-json`
`--input-format <fmt>`	`--print` input format: `text` / `stream-json`
`--json-schema <schema>`	Require JSON output to follow a schema in `--print` mode
`--include-hook-events`	Include hook events in `stream-json` output
`--include-partial-messages`	Include partial messages in `stream-json` output
`--max-turns <n>`	Maximum agentic turns in non-interactive mode (with `--print`)
`--max-budget-usd <n>`	Hard cap on API spend (with `--print`)
`--allowedTools <tools...>`	Tool allowlist (comma- or space-separated, e.g. `"Bash(git:*) Edit"`)
`--disallowedTools <tools...>`	Tool denylist
`--tools <tools...>`	Explicit tool set (`""` disables all, `default` keeps all)
`--system-prompt <text>` / `--system-prompt-file <path>`	Override the system prompt
`--append-system-prompt <text>` / `--append-system-prompt-file <path>`	Append to the default system prompt
`--fallback-model <name>`	Auto-fall back when the primary model is overloaded (with `--print`)
`--dangerously-skip-permissions`	Bypass all permission checks (sandboxed envs only)
`--ide`	Auto-connect to IDE on startup if exactly one is available
`--bare`	Minimal mode: skip hooks / LSP / plugin sync / auto-memory
`--chrome` / `--no-chrome`	Enable / disable Chrome integration
`-d, --debug [filter]`	Enable debug logs (with optional category filter)
`--debug-file <path>`	Write debug logs to a file
`--verbose`	Override verbose mode from config
`--setting-sources <sources>`	Restrict setting sources
`--profile <name>`	Use a named config profile
`--session <value>`	Select a session entry or alias
`--file <path>`	Attach a file to the prompt/session
`-w, --worktree`	Run in worktree mode
`--tmux`	Use tmux/worktree helper flow
`--version`	Print version

Full list: crabcode --help. Low-frequency flags can be passed verbatim after --:

bash

crabcode -- --max-turns 5 --allowedTools Bash
crabcode -- --max-turns 5 --allowedTools Bash

Slash command index

Type / in the TUI for autocomplete. Below is a grouped index of the available commands; each one has a live one-liner inside the TUI when you hover it.

Start / help

Command	Purpose
`/help`	Show help and available commands
`/init`	Initialize `CRABCODE.md` from your codebase (with optional skills/hooks)
`/clear`	Reset current session, free up context
`/doctor`	Diagnose and validate the CrabCode install / config
`/version`	Print the version this session is running
`/release-notes`	Show release notes
`/status`	Show CrabCode status: version, model, account, API, tools

Model & thinking

Command	Purpose
`/model`	Switch or inspect the current model
`/effort`	Cycle thinking tier (off / standard / deep — see thinking-mode)
`/fast`	Toggle fast mode
`/smallmodel`	Pick the small/fast model used for internal sub-agent / summary work
`/local-models`	Check status, install or remove curated local models
`/advisor`	Configure the advisor model

Tools & permissions

Command	Purpose
`/permissions`	Manage tool allow / deny rules
`/sandbox`	Toggle sandbox mode (see sandboxing)
`/privacy-settings`	View and update privacy settings
`/hooks`	Inspect hook configuration for tool events
`/add-dir`	Grant the session another working directory

Git workflow

Command	Purpose
`/diff`	View uncommitted changes and per-turn diffs
`/files`	List every file in the current context
`/branch`	Branch off from the current session position
`/commit`	Create a git commit
`/commit-push-pr`	Commit, push, and open a PR
`/pr-comments`	Fetch GitHub Pull Request comments

See git-workflow.

Code review

Command	Purpose
`/review`	Review a Pull Request
`/ultrareview`	Web CrabCode finds & verifies bugs on the current branch, ~10–20 min (see crabcode-on-the-web)
`/security-review`	Security review of pending changes on the current branch

See code-review.

Session management

Command	Purpose
`/session`	Show remote session URL + QR
`/resume`	Resume a past session
`/rewind`	Rewind code or session to an earlier point
`/rename`	Rename the current session
`/export`	Export the current session to a file or clipboard
`/tag`	Toggle searchable tags on the current session
`/compact`	Compact session history but keep a summary (optional summary hint)

See sessions.

Agents & tasks

Command	Purpose
`/agents`	Manage agent configurations
`/tasks`	Manage background tasks
`/plan`	Enable plan mode or view the current plan
`/brief`	Toggle brief mode
`/proactive`	Toggle proactive (autonomous) mode

See agents.

Integrations

Command	Purpose
`/mcp`	Manage MCP servers
`/plugin`	Manage CrabCode plugins
`/skills`	List available skills
`/reload-plugins`	Activate pending plugin changes in the current session
`/install-github-app`	Configure CrabCode GitHub Actions on a repo
`/install-slack-app`	Install the CrabCode Slack app
`/ide`	Manage IDE integrations and show status
`/terminal-setup`	Install newline-key support for your terminal (platform variants)
`/web-setup`	Set up CrabCode on the web (requires connecting GitHub)

Remote tasks

Command	Purpose
`/ultraplan`	Web CrabCode drafts an editable high-level plan (~10–30 min)
`/ultrareview`	Web CrabCode bug-finding session (see above)
`/remote-control`	Attach this terminal to a remote control session (alias `/rc`)
`/remote-env`	Configure the default runtime for remote sessions

See crabcode-on-the-web and remote-control.

Input modalities

Command	Purpose
`/chrome`	Browser automation and Chrome extension-mode settings (see chrome; extension setup in the browser extension install guide)
`/voice`	Toggle voice mode
`/desktop`	Continue the current session on the desktop app
`/mobile`	Show a QR code to download the mobile app

See input-modalities.

Personalization

Command	Purpose
`/theme`	Switch theme
`/color`	Set the prompt-bar color for the current session
`/vim`	Toggle Vim editing mode
`/keybindings`	Open or create the key-binding config file
`/statusline`	Configure the status-bar UI

Debug & meta

Command	Purpose
`/cost`	Show total cost and duration of the current session
`/usage`	Show plan usage limits
`/extra-usage`	Configure overflow usage when the quota runs out
`/stats`	Show CrabCode usage statistics and activity
`/insights`	Generate an analytical report on your sessions
`/feedback`	Send feedback
`/login`	Sign in / switch Acosmi account
`/logout`	Sign out of Acosmi
`/upgrade`	Upgrade to the Max plan
`/update`	Check for updates and reinstall the latest (alias of `/install latest`)
`/install`	Install a native CrabCode build

Misc

Command	Purpose
`/btw`	Ask a side question without interrupting the main thread
`/context`	Visualize current context usage as a colored grid
`/copy`	Copy CrabCode's last reply (`/copy N` copies the N-th most recent)
`/passes`	Share a free week of CrabCode with friends
`/memory`	Edit CrabCode memory files (cross-session)
`/init-verifiers`	Create verifier skills that auto-validate code changes
`/exit` or Ctrl+D	Quit

This index covers every publicly shipped slash command. Hidden / debug commands (e.g. /heapdump, /output-style) are intentionally omitted; use /help inside the TUI to discover them.

Exit codes

Code	Meaning
0	Normal exit
1	Generic error
2	CLI argument parse error (unknown flag, etc.)
130	User Ctrl+C