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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.openhands.dev/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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Overview

The Command Line Interface (CLI) is the default mode when you run openhands. It provides a rich, interactive experience directly in your terminal. 
openhands

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Features

  • Real-time interaction: Type natural language tasks and receive instant feedback
  • Live status monitoring: Watch the agent’s progress as it works
  • Command palette: Press Ctrl+P to access settings, MCP status, and more

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Command Palette

Press Ctrl+P to open the command palette, then select from the dropdown options:
OptionDescription
SettingsOpen the settings configuration menu
MCPView MCP server status

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Controls

ControlAction
Ctrl+POpen command palette
EscPause the running agent
Ctrl+Q or /exitExit the CLI

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Starting with a Task

Start a conversation with an initial task: 
# Provide a task directly
openhands -t "Create a REST API for user management"

# Load task from a file
openhands -f requirements.txt

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Confirmation Modes

Control how the agent requests approval for actions: 
# Default: Always ask for confirmation
openhands

# Auto-approve all actions (use with caution)
openhands --always-approve

# Use LLM-based security analyzer
openhands --llm-approve

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Resuming Conversations

Resume previous conversations: 
# List recent conversations
openhands --resume

# Resume the most recent
openhands --resume --last

# Resume a specific conversation
openhands --resume abc123def456
For more details, see Resume Conversations.

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Tips

Press Ctrl+P and select Settings to quickly adjust your LLM configuration without restarting the CLI.
Press Esc to pause the agent if it’s going in the wrong direction, then provide clarification.

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See Also