CAI Command Line Interface (CLI)

The CAI CLI provides a powerful, terminal-based interface for interacting with cybersecurity AI agents through a traditional command-line environment, optimized for automation, scripting, and integration workflows.

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                      Cybersecurity AI (CAI), v0.6.0
                          Bug bounty-ready AI

CAI>

Overview

The CLI is the foundational interface for CAI, offering:

⚡ Lightweight Execution: Minimal resource overhead for maximum performance
🤖 Direct Agent Interaction: Immediate access to all CAI agents
📝 Command System: 30+ built-in commands for complete control
🔄 Automation Ready: Perfect for scripting and CI/CD pipelines
🧩 Queue System: Batch processing with command chaining
⚙️ Parallel Execution: Run multiple agents simultaneously
💾 Session Management: Save and restore conversations
🔧 Shell Integration: Direct shell command execution

When to Use the CLI vs TUI

Feature	CLI	TUI
Scripting/Automation	✅ Full support	❌ Interactive only
CI/CD Integration	✅ Perfect fit	❌ Not suitable
Resource Usage	✅ Minimal	⚠️ Higher (UI overhead)
Batch Processing	✅ Queue system	⚠️ Limited
Visual Feedback	⚠️ Text-based	✅ Rich UI
Multi-agent Workflows	✅ Parallel mode	✅ Visual split-screen
Remote/Headless	✅ SSH friendly	⚠️ Requires terminal UI
Learning Curve	⚠️ Steeper	✅ Intuitive

Use CLI for: Automation, scripting, CI/CD, headless servers, SSH sessions, batch processing

Use TUI for: Interactive testing, visual multi-agent workflows, exploratory analysis, real-time monitoring

Quick Start

Launch the CLI:

cai

With an initial prompt:

cai --prompt "scan 192.168.1.1 for open ports"

With YAML configuration:

cai --yaml agents.yaml

Basic workflow:

Launch CAI: cai
Configure API key in .env or environment
Select a model: /model alias1
Choose an agent: /agent redteam_agent
Type your prompt and press Enter

See the Getting Started Guide for detailed instructions.

Key Features

🎯 Command System

Over 30 built-in commands organized by category:

Agent Management: /agent, /parallel
Memory & History: /memory, /history, /compact, /flush, /load, /merge, /save
Environment: /env (catalog list / get / set / default), /help var (per-variable help), /workspace, /virtualization
Tools & Integration: /mcp, /shell
Utilities: /model, /graph, /cost, /help

All commands support aliases for faster typing (e.g., /a for /agent, /h for /help).

Learn more: Commands Reference

⚡ Parallel Execution

Run multiple agents simultaneously:

# Configure parallel agents
/parallel add redteam_agent
/parallel add bug_bounter_agent
/parallel add blueteam_agent

# Execute on all agents
/parallel run "analyze target.com"

Or use YAML configuration:

cai --yaml agents.yaml --prompt "test application security"

Learn more: Advanced Usage

💻 Shell Integration

Execute shell commands directly:

# Using /shell command
/shell nmap -sV 192.168.1.1

# Using $ shortcut
$ whoami

# Using /$ alias
/$ ls -la

💾 Session Management

Save and restore conversations:

# Save current session
/save pentest_session.json

# Save as Markdown report
/save findings_report.md

# Load previous session
/load pentest_session.json

🧠 Memory Management

Advanced memory features for long-term context:

# Enable episodic memory
CAI_MEMORY=episodic cai

# Save memory snapshot
/memory save "web app vulnerabilities found"

# List saved memories
/memory list

# Apply memory to current session
/memory apply mem_12345

System Requirements

Python: 3.9 or higher
Terminal: Any modern terminal (bash, zsh, fish)
API Key: Valid ALIAS_API_KEY (get one from Alias Robotics)
Operating System: Linux, macOS, Windows (WSL recommended)

Supported Terminals

✅ bash (Linux/macOS/WSL)
✅ zsh (macOS/Linux)
✅ fish (Linux/macOS)
✅ PowerShell (Windows)
✅ SSH sessions
✅ tmux/screen
✅ CI/CD environments

Architecture

CAI CLI
├── Core Components
│   ├── run_cai_cli - Main interactive loop
│   ├── AgentManager - Agent lifecycle management
│   ├── CommandRegistry - Command routing and execution
│   └── SessionRecorder - Session logging and persistence
├── Command System
│   ├── AgentCommand - Agent switching and management
│   ├── ParallelCommand - Multi-agent coordination
│   ├── MCPCommand - External tool integration
│   ├── ConfigCommand - Environment management
│   └── 25+ additional commands
└── Integration Layer
    ├── PromptToolkit - Input handling and completion
    ├── FuzzyCompleter - Intelligent autocompletion
    ├── QueueManager - Batch execution
    └── ShellExecutor - Direct shell access

For technical details, see the Architecture Overview.

Common Use Cases

1. CTF Challenges

# Set up CTF environment
export CTF_NAME="hackableii"
export CTF_CHALLENGE="web_challenge"
export CAI_AGENT_TYPE="redteam_agent"

# Launch with auto-execution
cai --prompt "analyze the challenge and find the flag"

2. Bug Bounty Automation

# Configure bug bounty workflow
/agent bug_bounter_agent
/model alias1

# Execute reconnaissance
Perform full reconnaissance on bugcrowd.example.com

3. CI/CD Security Testing

#!/bin/bash
# security-check.sh

export CAI_MAX_TURNS=10
export CAI_PRICE_LIMIT=5.0
export CAI_TRACING=false

cai --prompt "scan $CI_TARGET for OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities ; generate JSON report" > security-report.json

4. Parallel Reconnaissance

# agents.yaml
agents:
  - name: subdomain_scanner
    agent_type: redteam_agent
    model: alias1
  - name: port_scanner
    agent_type: network_security_analyzer_agent
    model: alias1
  - name: vulnerability_checker
    agent_type: bug_bounter_agent
    model: alias1

# Execute
cai --yaml agents.yaml --prompt "full reconnaissance on target.com"

Quick Reference

Essential Commands

Command	Description	Example
`/agent list`	List all agents	`/agent list`
`/agent <name>`	Switch agent	`/agent redteam_agent`
`/model <name>`	Change model	`/model alias1`
`/env list`	Catalog + live values	`/env list`
`/help`	Show help	`/help agent`
`/save <file>`	Save session	`/save session.json`
`/load <file>`	Load session	`/load session.json`
`/cost`	Show costs	`/cost`

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
`Tab`	Autocomplete commands
`↑/↓`	Navigate command history
`Ctrl+C`	Interrupt execution
`Ctrl+L`	Clear screen
`Ctrl+D`	Exit CAI
`Ctrl+Z`	Suspend process
`Ctrl+X Ctrl+E`	Open editor

See the complete Commands Reference for all commands.

Configuration

CAI CLI can be configured via:

Environment Variables: CAI_MODEL, CAI_AGENT_TYPE, etc.
.env File: Place in your working directory
/env command: Runtime changes via catalog (/env set …, /env default, …)
YAML Files: Agent and workflow definitions

Example .env:

ALIAS_API_KEY=ak_live_1234567890abcdef
CAI_MODEL=alias1
CAI_AGENT_TYPE=redteam_agent
CAI_DEBUG=1
CAI_PRICE_LIMIT=10.0
CAI_MAX_TURNS=50

For all configuration options, see Configuration Guide.

Documentation Structure

For New Users

Getting Started - First steps and basic usage
Commands Reference - Essential commands

For Advanced Users

Commands Reference - Complete command list
Advanced Usage - Automation, scripting, and advanced features

Community and Support

Documentation: https://docs.aliasrobotics.com
GitHub Issues: https://github.com/aliasrobotics/cai/issues
Discord: Join our community
Twitter: @aliasrobotics

What's Next?

📖 Getting Started Guide - Learn the basics
📚 Commands Reference - Master all commands
🚀 Advanced Usage - Unlock powerful features

Last updated: November 2025 | CAI CLI v0.6+

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CAI Command Line Interface (CLI)

Overview

When to Use the CLI vs TUI

Quick Start

Key Features

🎯 Command System

⚡ Parallel Execution

💻 Shell Integration

💾 Session Management

🧠 Memory Management

System Requirements

Supported Terminals

Architecture

Common Use Cases

1. CTF Challenges

2. Bug Bounty Automation

3. CI/CD Security Testing

4. Parallel Reconnaissance

Quick Reference

Essential Commands

Keyboard Shortcuts

Configuration

Documentation Structure

For New Users

For Advanced Users

Related Documentation

Community and Support

What's Next?

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CAI Command Line Interface (CLI)

Overview

When to Use the CLI vs TUI

Quick Start

Key Features

🎯 Command System

⚡ Parallel Execution

💻 Shell Integration

💾 Session Management

🧠 Memory Management

System Requirements

Supported Terminals

Architecture

Common Use Cases

1. CTF Challenges

2. Bug Bounty Automation

3. CI/CD Security Testing

4. Parallel Reconnaissance

Quick Reference

Essential Commands

Keyboard Shortcuts

Configuration

Documentation Structure

For New Users

For Advanced Users

Related Documentation

Community and Support

What's Next?