Implementation coding agent · Comparison

Critique CLI
vs Claude Code.

Claude Code is Anthropic’s implementation agent for terminal and IDE workflows. It edits code and ships changes; review of those changes is not its primary product.

Install the CLI All comparisons

updated 2026-08-06CLI finish passimplementation coding agent

Quick answer

Claude Code implements. Critique finishes. Use `critique integrate` so Claude Code gets an independent check on the local diff — structured evidence and exit codes — before it reports the task complete.

What is Critique CLI?

Critique CLI is an independent finish pass for coding agents. It reviews the local working-tree change before commit or PR, returns finish.v1 JSON (outcome, evidence, limits, exit codes), and optionally attaches a repair package. It integrates with Codex, Claude Code, OpenCode, and Cursor via `critique integrate`.

Last updated 2026-08-06 · Verify competitor pricing on the vendor site before procurement.

Our pick

Critique CLI

Independent finish check on your working tree. finish.v1 JSON, optional repair packages, integrates with Codex · Claude Code · OpenCode · Cursor.

Install CLI

Anthropic’s terminal/IDE coding agent

Claude Code

Claude Code bills through Anthropic. Critique’s finish credits are separate so the reviewer is not the same model family that wrote the patch.

Visit Claude Code

Critique CLI vs Claude Code: features

Capability	Critique CLI	Claude Code
Primary role	· Independent finish pass	Implementation agent
Independence	◆ Cross-family second opinion	Claude-only self-review
CLI integrate	◆ First-class `critique integrate`	Claude Code session
Output	◆ finish.v1 JSON	Agent transcript / PR
Repair	· Optional repair package modes	Agent rewrites in-session

Verify competitor pricing on claude.com/code.

Why teams pick Critique CLI

Independent coverage on Claude-authored changes.
A finish command with exit codes the agent loop can trust.
Works alongside Claude Code without replacing it.

When Claude Code is the right pick

You only need an implementation agent in the Anthropic ecosystem.
You are fine with same-family self-review and no separate finish pass.

Common questions

01Is Critique CLI a good alternative to Claude Code?

02What does Critique cost compared to Claude Code?

Claude Code bills through Anthropic. Critique’s finish credits are separate so the reviewer is not the same model family that wrote the patch. Free locally. $0.15 per cloud stage; model usage separate. Starter $15 for 100 stages, Builder $75 for 500 stages, Team $300 for 2,000 stages. No seats. CritiqueCode All In is available now: $10/month with 50 cloud sessions / month and $20 of inference at provider cost; $30/month with 100 cloud sessions / month and $60 of inference at provider cost; $150/month with unlimited cloud sessions and $400 of inference at provider cost. Local CritiqueCode is free; BYOK model usage bills your provider separately.

03What does the Critique CLI actually run?

Critique reviews the change in your local working tree (staged, unstaged, deleted, and bounded untracked text). `critique finish` returns finish.v1 JSON: outcome, evidence, limits, and exit codes. Optional repair modes attach a repair package when warranted. Cloud runs are available when you want a clean remote machine.

04Can I use Critique alongside Claude Code?

Yes. Many teams keep Claude Code for its unique strength (see below) and add Critique as the independent finish pass their coding agents call before claiming a task is done. The CLI does not require uninstalling other tools.

05How do I start with Critique CLI?

Run `npm install --global @critiquedotsh/cli`, then `critique login`, `critique integrate --agent all` (Codex, Claude Code, OpenCode, Cursor), and `critique finish --intent "…" --json` on a real change.

06What is Critique CLI in one sentence?