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Introducing ChatBotKit CLI Agent Mode

We're excited to announce a major enhancement to the ChatBotKit CLI - a powerful new agent mode that brings autonomous AI capabilities directly to your command line. Now you can use your ChatBotKit bots combined with local file system and command execution tools to automate development tasks, business processes, and much more.

What is Agent Mode?

Agent mode transforms the ChatBotKit CLI into an autonomous AI assistant that can interact with your local environment while leveraging the full power of your ChatBotKit platform resources. It bridges the gap between your local development environment and remote integrations, enabling powerful automation workflows that were previously complex to implement.

Key Features

Local File System Access

The CLI agent comes with built-in tools for interacting with your local file system:

  • read - Read file contents
  • write - Write content to files
  • edit - Replace exact string occurrences (single match only)
  • find - Search for files using patterns
  • exec - Execute shell commands with configurable timeouts

These tools enable your agent to work directly with your codebase, configuration files, and project structure.

Full Platform Integration

Agent mode runs with complete ChatBotKit platform capabilities, meaning your CLI agent can:

  • Access all configured integrations - Slack, Discord, Jira, Linear, Google Workspace, Notion, and 30+ more services
  • Query datasets - Retrieve information from your knowledge bases
  • Use skillsets and abilities - Leverage pre-built capabilities and custom functions
  • Maintain authenticated sessions - No need to manage OAuth flows or API keys for integrated services

This combination of local and remote capabilities is what makes the CLI agent truly powerful.

Simple Command-Line Interface

Getting started is incredibly simple:

Real-World Use Cases

Development & Coding Assistance

Automated Code Reviews:

Project Setup:

Refactoring Helper:

Business Process Automation

Document Processing:

Report Generation:

Data Synchronization:

DevOps & System Administration

Deployment Checks:

System Monitoring:

Backup Verification:

Content Management

Bulk Content Updates:

Asset Organization:

Advanced Configuration

Custom Tool Selection

Choose specific tools for enhanced security or focused functionality:

Model Selection

Use different AI models based on your task requirements:

Environment Configuration

The CLI supports flexible environment variable configuration:

  1. .env.local - Project-specific settings (current directory)
  2. .env - Project configuration (current directory)
  3. ~/.cbk/env - Global user configuration (home directory)

Store your API token globally for convenience:

Override per project as needed with local .env files.

How It Works

The agent mode leverages the ChatBotKit Agent SDK under the hood, providing:

  1. Autonomous task execution - The agent plans, executes, and adapts without constant supervision
  2. Built-in error handling - Failed operations are communicated to the agent, which can adjust strategy
  3. Progress tracking - System tools like plan, progress, and exit enable sophisticated task management
  4. Type-safe operations - All tools use Zod schemas for validation and error prevention

When you run a command, the agent:

  • Analyzes your prompt to understand the task
  • Creates an execution plan
  • Executes local tools (file operations, shell commands)
  • Leverages remote integrations when needed (Slack notifications, Jira tickets, etc.)
  • Reports progress and handles errors gracefully
  • Exits with a status code when complete

Security Considerations

When using agent mode with local file system and command access:

  • Review prompts carefully - Ensure your instructions are clear and won't cause unintended side effects
  • Use tool restrictions - Limit available tools with the t flag when appropriate
  • Test in safe environments - Try new workflows on test projects first
  • Monitor execution - The CLI provides real-time feedback on all operations
  • Backup important data - Especially when testing file modification tasks

The agent only has access to files and commands within your current working directory and its subdirectories.

Getting Started

Installation

Quick Start

Tips for Effective Prompts

  1. Be specific - Clear instructions yield better results
  2. Break down complex tasks - Agent mode handles multi-step workflows well
  3. Mention file paths - Help the agent locate files quickly
  4. Specify output formats - Tell the agent how you want results formatted
  5. Include validation steps - Ask the agent to verify its work

API Management Commands

Beyond agent mode, the CLI also provides direct API access for managing ChatBotKit resources:

Use cbk --help to see all available commands.

What Makes This Unique?

The ChatBotKit CLI with agent mode stands out because it:

  1. Combines local and remote capabilities - No other tool seamlessly bridges local file operations with 30+ cloud integrations
  2. Requires minimal setup - Install, add your token, and start automating
  3. Leverages your existing bots - Use the same ChatBotKit resources you've already configured
  4. Provides autonomous execution - Agents plan and adapt without requiring step-by-step guidance
  5. Maintains security - Scoped access and configurable tool restrictions keep you safe

It's like having a highly capable assistant that understands both your local environment and your cloud infrastructure.

Documentation

For comprehensive documentation including command references, examples, and best practices:

What's Next

We're continuously improving the CLI with upcoming features:

  • Custom tool plugins - Add your own tools for specialized workflows
  • Interactive mode - Multi-turn conversations with the agent
  • Session persistence - Resume long-running tasks across CLI sessions
  • Workflow templates - Pre-built automation patterns for common scenarios
  • Enhanced logging - Detailed execution traces for debugging

Examples to Try

Here are some practical examples to get you started:

Join the Community

We'd love to hear about your automation workflows! Share your CLI agent use cases, ask questions, and provide feedback:

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