Crush

Crush: Terminal-based coding assistant that connects local tools and workflows to various large language models.

Crush is a coding assistant designed for the terminal that integrates tools, code, and workflows with large language models. It supports multiple LLMs including Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, OpenRouter, and local models. Users can maintain multiple work sessions per project, switch LLMs mid-session while preserving context, and use Language Server Protocols for additional context. It also supports Model Context Protocol servers through stdio, http, and sse transports. Crush runs in the terminal and is built for developers who want to wire AI directly into their existing command-line workflows.

Crush at a glance

Best for: Software engineer
Runs on: macOS, Linux, Windows, Android, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, CLI
Pricing: Free plan via Charm Hyper; subscription-based options available.
Released: May 2025
Category: AI coding tool
Website: github.com/charmbracelet/crush

Key features

Multi-model support for wide range of LLMs
Session-based work management
LSP integration for additional context
MCP server support via stdio, http, and sse
Configurable via bash script or json
Built-in color themes with live preview
Environment variable configuration

Use it for

Writing and editing code in the terminal
Switching between different LLMs mid-session
Integrating LSP context into AI coding workflows
Connecting Model Context Protocol servers

Alternatives to Crush

OpenCode — Works with 75+ model providers, local models, and existing subscriptions
OpenClaude — Connects one terminal interface to over 200 different AI models.
codemax — Combines multiple paid AI coding plans into a single terminal to bypass usage limits.
Deep Code CLI — Optimized specifically for DeepSeek models with a one million token context.
Dao Code — It uses DeepSeek's low cost and prefix caching to keep expenses extremely low.
ZCode — Integrates GLM-5.3 with multi-agent workflows and remote chat control.
Freebuff — Access multiple coding AI models for free without subscriptions.
Command Code — Repairs open model tool calls and learns developer patterns automatically.
Keen Code — Classifies task complexity and routes models asynchronously.
Zero — Operates entirely on the local machine with configurable permission-gated actions.
SmallCode — Runs fully local with budget-managed context and a forgiving parser for small models.
Kaku — It works immediately out of the box with zero configuration required.

All Crush alternatives