HKUDS Releases CLI-Anything Framework to Enable AI Agents to Direct Existing Software via Command Line
The HKUDS research group has launched CLI-Anything, an open-source framework designed to bridge the gap between Large Language Model agents and professional software tools. By leveraging existing Command Line Interfaces, the project allows AI agents to execute complex operations in software originally designed for human users. The framework operates on the philosophy that while software was historically built for people, future users will increasingly be autonomous agents that require structured access to legacy and modern tools alike.
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| Aspect | Before / Alternative | After / This |
|---|---|---|
| Interaction Model | API-specific integrations or brittle UI automation | Standardized CLI wrappers for agent native control |
| Tool Discovery | Manual coding of tool definitions for each agent | Community-driven CLI-Hub for installing and managing tools |
| Task Versatility | Limited to text, code snippets, or simple API calls | Complex outputs like CAD builds, 3D scenes, and gameplay |
| Software Support | Only software with modern REST/GraphQL APIs | Any software with a functional command line interface |
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