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.

          CCCCCCCCCCCCC      ++++++++   ++++++++      IIIIIIIIII
       CCC::::::::::::C  ++++++++++       ++++++++++  I::::::::I
     CC:::::::::::::::C ++++++++++         ++++++++++ I::::::::I
    C:::::CCCCCCCC::::C +++++++++    ++     +++++++++ II::::::II
   C:::::C       CCCCCC +++++++     +++++     +++++++   I::::I
  C:::::C                +++++     +++++++     +++++    I::::I
  C:::::C                ++++                   ++++    I::::I
  C:::::C                 ++                     ++     I::::I
  C:::::C                  +   +++++++++++++++   +      I::::I
  C:::::C                    +++++++++++++++++++        I::::I
  C:::::C                     +++++++++++++++++         I::::I
   C:::::C       CCCCCC        +++++++++++++++          I::::I
    C:::::CCCCCCCC::::C         +++++++++++++         II::::::II
     CC:::::::::::::::C           +++++++++           I::::::::I
       CCC::::::::::::C             +++++             I::::::::I
          CCCCCCCCCCCCC               ++              IIIIIIIIII

                      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:

1. Launch CAI: cai
2. Configure API key in .env or environment
3. Select a model: /model alias1
4. Choose an agent: /agent redteam_agent
5. 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, /run
• Memory & History: /memory, /history, /compact, /flush, /load, /merge
• Environment & Config: /config, /env, /workspace, /virtualization
• Tools & Integration: /mcp, /platform, /shell
• Utilities: /model, /graph, /context, /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
/config	View configuration	/config
/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:

1. Environment Variables: CAI_MODEL, CAI_AGENT_TYPE, etc.
2. .env File: Place in your working directory
3. /config Command: Runtime configuration changes
4. 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

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

For Advanced Users

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

Related Documentation

• Configuration Guide - All environment variables
• Architecture Overview - Technical architecture
• TUI Documentation - Terminal UI alternative

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+