# Cate CLI

Read this skill before the first `cate` command, the CLI on PATH in every Cate terminal...

- Repository: https://github.com/0-AI-UG/cate (2219 stars)
- Category: Testing
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add 0-AI-UG/cate --skill cate-cli -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add 0-AI-UG/cate --skill cate-cli -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add 0-AI-UG/cate --skill cate-cli -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add 0-AI-UG/cate --skill cate-cli -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Read this skill before the first `cate` command, the CLI on PATH in every Cate terminal (CATE_SOCKET and CATE_TOKEN are set) that drives the workspace the terminal belongs to. Use it whenever a task in a Cate terminal needs Cate itself, even if the person never mentions the CLI, such as looking at, testing or signing in to a web page in Cate's browser panel, taking a screenshot, reading or typing into another terminal, opening a file or panel for the person, starting other coding agents in their own panels or worktrees and waiting for their answers, or recording findings in a Review panel. It covers targeting panels, CLI permissions, and the browser and agent workflows. It is not for working on Cate's own source code, and not for theming Cate, which has the cate-theme skill.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Cate CLI

`cate` talks to the workspace's runtime over the local socket named by
`CATE_SOCKET`, authenticated by `CATE_TOKEN`, a per-terminal token that also
names the calling panel. It works the same when the workspace lives on
another machine. If either variable is missing, `cate` exits 3 and says so:
you are not in a Cate terminal, so this skill does not apply.

## Reference files

Read the one for your task before its first command:

- `references/browser.md`: the browser panel. Snapshots and element ids,
  clicking and typing, tabs, uploads, dialogs, saved logins and sign-ups,
  console and network logs, screenshots.
- `references/agents.md`: starting other coding agents, sending them
  prompts, waiting for and reading their answers, and typing into terminals
  that have no agent.

Panels, terminals, editors and Review panels are covered
below.

## Permissions

Each area needs its permission in the workspace's Settings → CLI: the master
switch "Command-line control (cate CLI)" plus a Read and a Control cell per
area (Browser, Browser passwords, Terminal, Panels, Files,
Agents & reviews). Sending keystrokes to terminals (Terminal, Control) and
using saved browser passwords are off by default. A denied call fails with an error naming the setting: tell the
person which one to turn on instead of working around it.

## Help, output and exit codes

The CLI's own help is the reference for exact syntax. Check it before
guessing a flag:

```bash
cate --help                  # command groups and global flags
cate panel --help            # the commands of one group (or just: cate panel)
cate review note add --help  # one command: arguments, flags and defaults
```

A mistyped command suggests the closest one. Lists print as aligned tables,
other results as `key  value` lines, structured reports as indented JSON.
Add `--json` to any command when you parse the result or need full ids.
Every error says what to do next.

The rest: https://github.com/0-AI-UG/cate/blob/HEAD/skills/cate-cli/SKILL.md