CLI

The Command-Line Interface (CLI) provides a powerful interface that lets you engage with OpenHands directly from your terminal.

Overview

This mode is different from the headless mode, which is non-interactive and better for scripting.

If you’re upgrading from a CLI version before release 1.0.0, you’ll need to redo your settings setup as the configuration format has changed.

Getting Started

Using uv (recommended)

Requires Python 3.12+ and uv installed.

Install OpenHands:

uv tool install openhands

Run OpenHands:

openhands

Upgrade OpenHands:

uv tool upgrade openhands

The first time you run the CLI, it will take you through configuring the required LLM settings. These will be saved for future sessions.

The conversation history will be saved in ~/.openhands/conversations.

Interactive CLI Overview

What is CLI Mode?

CLI mode enables real-time interaction with OpenHands through the terminal. You can type natural language tasks, use interactive commands, and receive instant feedback—all inside your terminal.

CLI Commands and Settings

The OpenHands CLI provides various commands for managing settings, conversations, and configurations. For detailed information about available commands, configuration options, and troubleshooting, see the CLI Settings page.

Key features include:

• Interactive settings configuration with /settings
• MCP server management with /mcp
• Conversation management with /new and /help
• Real-time status monitoring and control