CLI Reference
June 3, 2026 ยท View on GitHub
Complete reference for all Loki Mode CLI commands with copy-paste examples.
Installation
# npm (recommended)
npm install -g loki-mode
# Homebrew
brew install asklokesh/tap/loki-mode
# Verify installation
loki version
loki doctor
Quick Start Examples
# Run a 60-second interactive demo to see Loki Mode in action
loki demo
# Quick single-task mode (lightweight, 3 iterations max)
loki quick "add dark mode to the app"
# Build a spec (PRD markdown) interactively from templates
loki init
# Start from a template
loki init -t saas-starter
# Start with a spec (PRD markdown file)
loki start ./prd.md
# Start without a spec (analyzes existing codebase)
loki start
# Use a GitHub issue as the spec
loki issue 42 --start
# Import all open GitHub issues and work on them
LOKI_GITHUB_IMPORT=true loki start --github
# Check what's happening
loki status
loki logs
loki dashboard open
Global Options
loki [command] [options]
Options:
--version, -v Show version number
--help, -h Show help
Core Commands
loki start
Start autonomous execution from a spec. Works with or without one -- if no spec is provided, Loki analyzes the existing codebase and generates one. A spec is typically a PRD markdown file, but can also be sourced from a GitHub issue (loki issue).
loki start [SPEC_FILE] [OPTIONS]
Options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--provider {claude|codex|cline|aider} | Select AI provider (default: claude) |
--parallel | Enable parallel mode with git worktrees |
--bg, --background | Run in background |
--simple | Force simple complexity (3 phases) |
--complex | Force complex complexity (8 phases) |
--github | Enable GitHub issue import |
--no-dashboard | Disable web dashboard |
--sandbox | Run in Docker sandbox |
--yes, -y | Skip confirmation prompt |
--budget AMOUNT | Cost budget limit in USD |
--skip-memory | Skip memory context loading at startup |
--regen-prd | Force a fresh generated PRD on a no-spec run, overriding staleness-aware reuse. Aliases: --regenerate-prd, --regen, or LOKI_PRD_REGEN=1 (v7.17.0) |
Examples:
# Start with a spec (PRD markdown file)
loki start ./my-app-prd.md
# Analyze existing codebase (no spec needed)
loki start
# Use OpenAI Codex as provider
loki start ./prd.md --provider codex
# Use Cline as provider
loki start ./prd.md --provider cline
# Run in background with parallel mode
loki start ./prd.md --background --parallel
# Run in Docker sandbox for isolation
loki start ./prd.md --sandbox
# Set a \$5 budget limit
loki start ./prd.md --budget 5.00
# Import GitHub issues and work on them with sync-back
LOKI_GITHUB_SYNC=true loki start --github
# Full featured: background, parallel, GitHub, budget
loki start ./prd.md --bg --parallel --github --budget 10.00
loki quick
Quick single-task mode. Lightweight execution with a maximum of 3 iterations.
loki quick "TASK_DESCRIPTION"
Examples:
# Add a feature
loki quick "add a dark mode toggle to the settings page"
# Fix a bug
loki quick "fix the login form validation error on empty email"
# Add tests
loki quick "add unit tests for the user authentication module"
# Refactor
loki quick "refactor the database connection pool to use async/await"
loki demo
Run an interactive demo (~60 seconds) to see Loki Mode in action without affecting your codebase.
loki demo
loki init
Build a PRD markdown spec interactively or from one of 12 built-in templates. Output is a .md file you can pass to loki start.
loki init [OPTIONS]
Options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
-t, --template NAME | Start from a template |
-l, --list | List available templates |
Examples:
# Interactive PRD spec builder
loki init
# List available templates
loki init --list
# Start from a template
loki init -t saas-starter
loki init -t cli-tool
loki init -t discord-bot
loki init -t landing-page
loki init -t api-service
loki stop
Stop a running session. As of v7.7.30 this is FOLDER-SCOPED by default: it stops only the session in the current directory and leaves Loki sessions in other folders running. The shared dashboard stays up while any other project is still running, and is stopped only when no project remains.
loki stop # stop ONLY the current folder's session
loki stop 52 # stop only session #52 in this folder
loki stop --all # stop EVERY loki runner on this machine (legacy behavior)
Use loki stop --all for the old machine-wide behavior (also reaps orphaned
runners from crashed sessions). loki cleanup also reaps orphans when no
session is running in the current folder.
loki pause
Pause after current session completes. The agent finishes its current iteration before stopping.
loki pause
loki resume
Resume paused execution.
loki resume
loki status
Show current session status including phase, iteration count, active agents, and task queue.
loki status [OPTIONS]
Options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--json | Machine-readable JSON output |
Examples:
# Human-readable status
loki status
# JSON output (for scripting)
loki status --json
# Use in scripts
if loki status --json | jq -e '.running' > /dev/null; then
echo "Loki is running"
fi
loki logs
View session logs.
loki logs [LINES]
Examples:
# Show last 50 lines (default)
loki logs
# Show last 200 lines
loki logs 200
# Real-time log following (use tail directly)
tail -f .loki/logs/session.log
loki reset
Reset session state.
loki reset [TYPE]
Types:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
all | Reset all state (default) |
retries | Reset only retry counter |
failed | Clear failed task queue |
Examples:
# Reset everything
loki reset
# Just reset retry counter (after fixing an issue)
loki reset retries
# Clear failed tasks to retry them
loki reset failed
GitHub Integration
loki issue
Use a GitHub issue as a spec -- converts the issue body to a PRD markdown file and optionally starts working on it.
loki issue [URL|NUMBER] [OPTIONS]
Options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--repo OWNER/REPO | Specify repository (default: auto-detect) |
--number NUM | Specify issue number |
--start | Start Loki Mode after generating the PRD spec |
--dry-run | Preview without saving |
--output FILE | Custom output path |
Examples:
# Generate a spec from a GitHub issue number (auto-detects repo from git remote)
loki issue 123
# Generate a spec from a full GitHub issue URL
loki issue https://github.com/myorg/myapp/issues/42
# Generate and immediately start working
loki issue 123 --start
# Preview the generated spec (PRD markdown) without saving
loki issue 123 --dry-run
# Save to custom path
loki issue 123 --output ./docs/feature-prd.md
# Specify a different repo
loki issue 42 --repo myorg/other-repo
# Parse issue details only
loki issue parse 123
# View issue in terminal
loki issue view 123
loki import
Import GitHub issues as tasks into the Loki queue.
loki import
Examples:
# Import all open issues
loki import
# Import with filters (via environment variables)
LOKI_GITHUB_LABELS=bug loki import
LOKI_GITHUB_MILESTONE=v2.0 loki import
LOKI_GITHUB_ASSIGNEE=@me loki import
LOKI_GITHUB_LIMIT=10 loki import
# Import and start working
LOKI_GITHUB_IMPORT=true loki start --github
loki github
Full GitHub integration management (v5.41.0).
loki github [SUBCOMMAND]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
status | Show GitHub integration status and config |
sync | Sync completed task statuses back to GitHub issues |
export | Export local tasks as new GitHub issues |
pr [name] | Create pull request from completed work |
Examples:
# Check GitHub integration status
loki github status
# Sync completed tasks back to GitHub issues
loki github sync
# Export local tasks as GitHub issues
loki github export
# Create PR from completed work
loki github pr "Add user authentication"
# Full workflow: import issues, work on them, sync status, create PR
LOKI_GITHUB_IMPORT=true \
LOKI_GITHUB_SYNC=true \
LOKI_GITHUB_PR=true \
loki start --github
Environment Variables:
LOKI_GITHUB_IMPORT=true # Import open issues as tasks on start
LOKI_GITHUB_SYNC=true # Sync status back to issues during session
LOKI_GITHUB_PR=true # Create PR when session completes
LOKI_GITHUB_LABELS=bug,task # Filter issues by labels
LOKI_GITHUB_MILESTONE=v2.0 # Filter by milestone
LOKI_GITHUB_ASSIGNEE=@me # Filter by assignee
LOKI_GITHUB_LIMIT=50 # Max issues to import (default: 100)
LOKI_GITHUB_REPO=owner/repo # Override auto-detected repo
LOKI_GITHUB_PR_LABEL=automated # Label for created PRs
Provider Commands
loki provider
Manage AI providers (Claude, Codex, Cline, Aider).
loki provider [SUBCOMMAND]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
show | Display current provider |
set {claude|codex|cline|aider} | Set default provider |
list | List available providers with status |
info [provider] | Get detailed provider information |
Examples:
# Show current provider
loki provider show
# Switch to OpenAI Codex
loki provider set codex
# Switch to Cline
loki provider set cline
# List all providers and their CLI status
loki provider list
# Get detailed info about a provider
loki provider info cline
loki provider info codex
Dashboard Commands
loki dashboard
Manage the web dashboard for real-time monitoring.
loki dashboard [SUBCOMMAND] [OPTIONS]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
start [--port PORT] | Start dashboard server |
stop | Stop dashboard server |
status | Get dashboard status |
url [--format {url|json}] | Get dashboard URL |
open | Open dashboard in browser |
Examples:
# Start dashboard
loki dashboard start
# Start on custom port
loki dashboard start --port 8080
# Open in browser
loki dashboard open
# Check if dashboard is running
loki dashboard status
# Get URL for sharing
loki dashboard url
loki serve / loki api
Manage the HTTP API server (alias for dashboard).
loki serve [OPTIONS]
loki api [SUBCOMMAND] [OPTIONS]
Examples:
# Start API server
loki serve
loki api start
# Start on custom host/port
loki serve --port 9000 --host 0.0.0.0
# Stop API server
loki api stop
# Check status
loki api status
Memory Commands
loki memory
Manage cross-project learnings that persist across sessions.
loki memory [SUBCOMMAND] [OPTIONS]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
list | List all learnings |
show {patterns|mistakes|successes} | Display specific type |
search QUERY | Search learnings |
stats | Show statistics |
export [FILE] | Export learnings to JSON |
clear {patterns|mistakes|successes|all} | Clear learnings |
dedupe | Remove duplicate entries |
Examples:
# List all learnings
loki memory list
# Show only error patterns
loki memory show mistakes
# Show success patterns
loki memory show successes
# Search for specific topics
loki memory search "authentication"
loki memory search "docker"
loki memory search "rate limit"
# View statistics
loki memory stats
# Export for backup
loki memory export ./learnings-backup.json
# Clean up duplicates
loki memory dedupe
# Clear old mistakes
loki memory clear mistakes
loki compound
Knowledge compounding -- structured solutions extracted from session learnings (v5.30.0).
loki compound [SUBCOMMAND]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
list | List solutions by category |
show CATEGORY | Show solutions in a category |
search QUERY | Search across all solutions |
run | Manually trigger compounding |
stats | Show solution statistics |
Examples:
# List all solution categories
loki compound list
# Show security solutions
loki compound show security
# Show performance solutions
loki compound show performance
# Search for Docker-related solutions
loki compound search "docker"
# Manually trigger compounding
loki compound run
# View statistics
loki compound stats
Categories: security, performance, architecture, testing, debugging, deployment, general
Completion Council
loki council
Manage the Completion Council -- multi-agent voting system that decides when a project is done (v5.25.0).
loki council [SUBCOMMAND]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
status | Show council state and vote summary |
verdicts | Display decision log (vote history) |
convergence | Show convergence tracking data |
force-review | Force an immediate council review |
report | Display the final completion report |
config | Show council configuration |
Examples:
# Check council status
loki council status
# View vote history
loki council verdicts
# Check convergence data
loki council convergence
# Force immediate review (useful if you think it's done)
loki council force-review
# View the final report
loki council report
# View council config
loki council config
Checkpoint Commands
loki checkpoint (alias: loki cp)
Save and restore session checkpoints (v5.34.0).
loki checkpoint [SUBCOMMAND]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
create [MESSAGE] | Create a new checkpoint |
list | List recent checkpoints |
show ID | Show checkpoint details |
Examples:
# Create a checkpoint before risky changes
loki checkpoint create "before refactoring auth module"
# Create with short alias
loki cp create "stable state"
# List all checkpoints
loki checkpoint list
# Show details of a specific checkpoint
loki checkpoint show 3
Sandbox Commands
loki sandbox
Run Loki Mode in an isolated Docker container.
loki sandbox [SUBCOMMAND]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
start | Start sandbox container |
stop | Stop sandbox |
status | Check status |
logs [--follow] | View logs |
shell | Open interactive shell |
build | Build sandbox image |
Examples:
# Build the sandbox image
loki sandbox build
# Start sandbox
loki sandbox start
# Check sandbox status
loki sandbox status
# View logs (follow mode)
loki sandbox logs --follow
# Open shell into the container
loki sandbox shell
# Stop sandbox
loki sandbox stop
Notification Commands
loki notify
Send notifications via Slack, Discord, or webhooks.
loki notify [SUBCOMMAND] [MESSAGE]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
test [MESSAGE] | Test all configured channels |
slack MESSAGE | Send to Slack |
discord MESSAGE | Send to Discord |
webhook MESSAGE | Send to webhook |
status | Show notification config |
Examples:
# Check notification config
loki notify status
# Test all channels
loki notify test "Hello from Loki!"
# Send to Slack
loki notify slack "Build complete - all tests passing"
# Send to Discord
loki notify discord "Deployment successful"
# Send to custom webhook
loki notify webhook "Session finished"
Environment Variables:
LOKI_SLACK_WEBHOOK=https://hooks.slack.com/services/...
LOKI_DISCORD_WEBHOOK=https://discord.com/api/webhooks/...
LOKI_WEBHOOK_URL=https://your-server.com/webhook
Voice Commands
loki voice
Voice input for spec creation -- dictate a PRD markdown file by speaking (v5.36.0).
loki voice [SUBCOMMAND]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
status | Check voice input availability |
listen | Start listening for voice input |
dictate | Dictate a PRD markdown spec |
speak TEXT | Text-to-speech output |
start | Start voice-driven session |
Examples:
# Check if voice input is available
loki voice status
# Dictate a PRD spec
loki voice dictate
# Start voice-driven session
loki voice start
Project Registry
loki projects
Manage multi-project registry for cross-project learnings and monitoring.
loki projects [SUBCOMMAND]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
list | List registered projects |
show PROJECT | Show project details |
register PROJECT | Register new project |
add PROJECT | Alias for register |
remove PROJECT | Unregister a project |
discover | Auto-discover projects |
sync | Sync project data |
health | Check project health |
Examples:
# List all registered projects
loki projects list
# Auto-discover projects in common locations
loki projects discover
# Register a project
loki projects register ~/projects/my-saas-app
loki projects add ~/projects/mobile-app
# Check project health
loki projects health
# Sync project data
loki projects sync
# Remove a project
loki projects remove my-saas-app
Enterprise Commands
loki enterprise
Manage enterprise features: API tokens, OIDC, audit trails.
loki enterprise [SUBCOMMAND]
Subcommands:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
status | Show enterprise status |
token generate NAME [OPTIONS] | Create API token |
token list [--all] | List tokens |
token revoke {ID|NAME} | Revoke token |
token delete {ID|NAME} | Delete token |
audit summary | Audit summary |
audit tail | Recent audit entries |
Examples:
# Check enterprise feature status
loki enterprise status
# Generate a CI/CD bot token (expires in 30 days)
loki enterprise token generate ci-bot --scopes "read,write" --expires 30
# Generate an admin token
loki enterprise token generate admin-key --scopes "*"
# List all tokens
loki enterprise token list
loki enterprise token list --all
# Revoke a token
loki enterprise token revoke ci-bot
# View audit summary
loki enterprise audit summary
# View recent audit entries
loki enterprise audit tail
Monitoring Commands
loki audit
View agent action audit trail (v5.38.0).
loki audit [SUBCOMMAND]
Examples:
# View recent audit entries
loki audit log
# Count total entries
loki audit count
loki metrics
Fetch Prometheus/OpenMetrics metrics from dashboard.
loki metrics [OPTIONS]
Examples:
# Display all metrics
loki metrics
# Filter specific metric
loki metrics | grep loki_cost_usd
loki metrics | grep loki_iteration
# Custom host/port
loki metrics --port 8080
# Use with Prometheus (add to prometheus.yml)
# - job_name: 'loki-mode'
# static_configs:
# - targets: ['localhost:57374']
# metrics_path: '/api/metrics'
Available Metrics:
| Metric | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
loki_session_status | gauge | 0=stopped, 1=running, 2=paused |
loki_iteration_current | gauge | Current iteration number |
loki_tasks_total | gauge | Tasks by status |
loki_agents_active | gauge | Currently active agents |
loki_cost_usd | gauge | Estimated total cost in USD |
loki_uptime_seconds | gauge | Session uptime |
loki watchdog
Process supervision and health monitoring.
loki watchdog [SUBCOMMAND]
Examples:
# Check watchdog status
loki watchdog status
loki secrets
API key status and validation.
loki secrets [SUBCOMMAND]
Examples:
# Check API key status (masked)
loki secrets status
# Validate all configured keys
loki secrets validate
Configuration
loki config
Manage configuration.
loki config [SUBCOMMAND]
Examples:
# Show current config
loki config show
# Initialize config file
loki config init
# Edit in your default editor
loki config edit
# Show config file path
loki config path
loki doctor
Check system prerequisites and installation health.
loki doctor [OPTIONS]
Examples:
# Interactive health check
loki doctor
# JSON output (for CI/CD)
loki doctor --json
Checks: Node.js, Python 3, jq, git, curl, Claude CLI, Codex CLI, bash 4.0+
Utility Commands
loki version
loki version
loki --version
loki -v
loki help
loki help
loki --help
loki -h
loki completions
Install shell tab completions for bash or zsh.
# Generate bash completions
loki completions bash >> ~/.bashrc
# Generate zsh completions
loki completions zsh >> ~/.zshrc
# Or source directly
source <(loki completions zsh)
loki dogfood
Show self-development statistics (how Loki Mode was used to build itself).
loki dogfood
Common Workflows
Fix 10 GitHub issues autonomously
# Import bugs, work on them, sync status back, create PR
LOKI_GITHUB_IMPORT=true \
LOKI_GITHUB_SYNC=true \
LOKI_GITHUB_PR=true \
LOKI_GITHUB_LABELS=bug \
LOKI_GITHUB_LIMIT=10 \
loki start --github
Improve an existing codebase
# No spec needed -- Loki analyzes the code and generates improvements
loki start
# Or give it a quick task
loki quick "improve test coverage to 80%"
Run with budget and notifications
# Set a \$5 budget, get Slack notifications
LOKI_SLACK_WEBHOOK=https://hooks.slack.com/services/xxx \
loki start ./prd.md --budget 5.00
Background mode with monitoring
# Start in background
loki start ./prd.md --bg
# Monitor from dashboard
loki dashboard open
# Check status anytime
loki status
# View logs
loki logs 100
# Pause when needed
loki pause
# Resume later
loki resume
Multi-provider comparison
# Run the same spec with different providers
loki start ./prd.md --provider claude
loki start ./prd.md --provider codex
loki start ./prd.md --provider cline
Environment Variables Reference
| Variable | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
LOKI_MAX_ITERATIONS | 1000 | Max loop iterations before exit |
LOKI_PROVIDER | claude | AI provider (claude/codex/cline/aider) |
LOKI_DASHBOARD | true | Enable web dashboard |
LOKI_DASHBOARD_PORT | 57374 | Dashboard port |
LOKI_BUDGET | (none) | Cost budget limit in USD |
LOKI_GITHUB_IMPORT | false | Import GitHub issues on start |
LOKI_GITHUB_SYNC | false | Sync status back to issues |
LOKI_GITHUB_PR | false | Create PR on completion |
LOKI_GITHUB_LABELS | (all) | Filter issues by labels |
LOKI_GITHUB_MILESTONE | (all) | Filter by milestone |
LOKI_GITHUB_ASSIGNEE | (all) | Filter by assignee |
LOKI_GITHUB_LIMIT | 100 | Max issues to import |
LOKI_GITHUB_REPO | (auto) | Override repo detection |
LOKI_GITHUB_PR_LABEL | (none) | Label for created PRs |
LOKI_SLACK_WEBHOOK | (none) | Slack webhook URL |
LOKI_DISCORD_WEBHOOK | (none) | Discord webhook URL |
LOKI_WEBHOOK_URL | (none) | Custom webhook URL |
LOKI_COMPLETION_PROMISE | (none) | Explicit stop condition text |
LOKI_MAX_WS_CONNECTIONS | 100 | Max WebSocket connections |