What is amux?

This tool coordinates multiple AI coding assistants running them simultaneously from a single web dashboard or mobile device. A shared kanban board prevents duplicate work through atomic task claiming, while agents communicate directly with each other using origin-stamped messages. Crashed sessions automatically restart and resume from their last state. Recurring prompts can be scheduled in natural language like daily at 9 AM. Each worker can switch between different language models including local Ollama instances without losing context. The server packages as one Rust binary with embedded SQLite, running on macOS and Linux with an HTTPS interface at localhost:8824. Native macOS and iOS apps plus a progressive web app provide mobile access. The self-hosted version includes all capabilities at no cost; a managed cloud service offers dedicated servers starting at $39 monthly. The license combines MIT with Commons Clause restrictions on commercial resale.

Should you self-host amux?

amux scores 48/100 on selfhost.directory (how scoring works) and ranks #110 of 209 in AI Agents. It has 548 GitHub stars.

It shipped 1 stable release in the past year. The latest, desktop-latest, came out on 27 October 2026.

Setup is moderate: expect some configuration beyond a single command. It is Other-licensed and written mostly in Rust.

Its closest alternative on selfhost.directory is Orca (91/100, 108 446 stars). It scores higher overall, so compare the two before you pick. See amux vs Orca side by side.

Features

CLI Client
File browser and .mdai computed files
Inter-agent messaging
Local-first architecture
Model Switching
Native macOS appNot notarized yet; requires 'Open Anyway' on first launch
Schedules and loops
Self-healing recovery
Shared task board

How to configure amux

AMUX_AUTH_TOKENBearer token required on every API call when set (empty = no auth)
Bearer token required on every API call when set (empty = no auth)
AMUX_AUTO_UPDATE_REPOGit repo for auto-update pull+restart
Git repo for auto-update pull+restart
AMUX_CLAUDE_CMDExplicit path/command for the claude CLI if not on PATH
Explicit path/command for the claude CLI if not on PATH
AMUX_COMMIT_GUARD1Nudge a session that goes idle with uncommitted changes
Nudge a session that goes idle with uncommitted changes
values: 0 or 1
AMUX_DB$AMUX_HOME/amux.dbSQLite database path
SQLite database path
AMUX_HELPER_CLIclaudeCLI for helper model calls
CLI for helper model calls
AMUX_HELPER_MODELfastest Claude model (Haiku 4.5)Default model for internal helper calls
Default model for internal helper calls
AMUX_HERDR_SESSIONHerdr session hosting amux workspaces (enables herdr backend)
Herdr session hosting amux workspaces (enables herdr backend)
AMUX_HOME~/.amuxData directory
Data directory
AMUX_MAX_DOING_PER_SESSION1WIP limit: cards one session may hold in 'doing'
WIP limit: cards one session may hold in 'doing'
AMUX_PUSH_GUARD1Block git push of commits authored by other sessions in a shared checkout
Block git push of commits authored by other sessions in a shared checkout
values: 0 or 1
AMUX_RATE_LIMIT_MODEcappedRate limit mode for API calls
Rate limit mode for API calls
values: off, capped, unlimited
AMUX_REQLOG_RETAIN_DAYS14Request log retention in days
Request log retention in days
AMUX_RS_PORT8824Server port (installer sets 8824)
Server port (installer sets 8824)
AMUX_SCOPE_WRITE_AGENTS0Allow agent sessions to write group/global scope layers
Allow agent sessions to write group/global scope layers
values: 0 or 1
AMUX_STAGED_GUARD1Block git add of files another session edited recently
Block git add of files another session edited recently
values: 0 or 1
AMUX_TASK_GUARD0Require a board card before dispatching work to a session
Require a board card before dispatching work to a session
values: 0 or 1
AMUX_TMUX_COLS220Detached tmux pane width (glyph-accurate captures)
Detached tmux pane width (glyph-accurate captures)
AMUX_TMUX_ROWS50Detached tmux pane height
Detached tmux pane height
AMUX_TUNNEL_TOKENTunnel token for amux Cloud connectivity
Tunnel token for amux Cloud connectivity
ANTHROPIC_API_KEYAnthropic API key for API-billed sessions
Anthropic API key for API-billed sessions
GEMINI_API_KEYGoogle Gemini API key passed to sessions
Google Gemini API key passed to sessions
OPENAI_API_KEYOpenAI API key passed to sessions
OpenAI API key passed to sessions
TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SIDTwilio account SID for SMS fallback
Twilio account SID for SMS fallback

FAQ

Is amux free?

Yes. amux is open source (MIT + Commons Clause) and free to self-host, with the full feature set included. amux Cloud, your own dedicated amux server that runs 24/7 at yourname.amux.io, is $39, $69 or $129 a month.

Can I run my agents from my phone?

Yes. amux ships an iOS app and an installable PWA. From your phone you can watch every worker's live status, steer any session, answer blocked prompts, and receive owner alerts when something genuinely needs you.

Does amux work with Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini CLI?

Yes. amux runs Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, and Ollama-backed local agents side by side in the same fleet. Any CLI agent that runs in a terminal can be a worker, and you can switch a running worker between models and providers.

How is amux different from an IDE with agents, or an agent wrapper?

amux sits above the agent runtimes rather than replacing them. Your agents stay vanilla CLI tools running in real terminal sessions; amux adds the layer they lack: a shared board with atomic claiming, origin-stamped messaging, schedules, loops, model switching, and self-healing recovery.

What is amux?

amux is the open-source control plane for AI coding agents. It runs, coordinates, monitors, and recovers fleets of Claude Code, Codex CLI, and Gemini CLI sessions from one dashboard and a phone.