Best multi-agent tools for coding agents
This page covers tools for running more than one coding agent on a codebase: harnesses with built-in subagents, and layers that run several harness sessions in parallel. The order follows the criteria below, not popularity. Every reason cites a field of the tool's record; open the tool page for the evidence links. Data as of 2026-09-30.
Selection criteria
- Has a documented multi-agent mode (subagents, delegation, or parallel sessions), not only a single agent loop.
- Keeps parallel agents from overwriting each other (worktrees, containers, sandboxes).
- Gives a human a review or approval point before changes land.
- License and whether a paid plan is required are stated in official sources.
- The repository shows recent activity and no sunset or maintenance-mode notice.
Shortlist
- Claude Code: Documents five parallel modes (subagents, agent view, agent teams, dynamic workflows, cloud projects); subagents are Markdown files with their own tool lists; six permission modes. Proprietary license and a paid Claude plan or API billing are required; agent teams are experimental.
- Codex CLI: Apache-2.0 CLI with subagent workflows on by default, custom TOML agents and an OS-level sandbox with approval policies. Its record notes that the MCP server mode was removed and that parallel write-heavy work can conflict.
- OpenCode: MIT-licensed, provider-neutral terminal agent with Build and Plan primary agents plus delegating subagents, per-pattern
allow/ask/denypermissions, and an HTTP server with a TypeScript SDK for scripting. - Cline: Apache-2.0 agent for VS Code, JetBrains, CLI and SDK that asks for approval on each edit and command by default, adds subagents and agent teams, and can run Claude Code, Codex or OpenCode on separate worktrees from one board.
- OpenHands: MIT-licensed Agent Canvas (beta) runs the OpenHands agent or Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI over ACP, with one container per conversation and child conversations that report back; confirmation policies gate risky actions.
- Container Use: Apache-2.0 MCP server from Dagger that gives each agent its own container and git branch, so Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode can work in parallel without touching the local checkout. The README marks it experimental.
- Claude Squad: AGPL-3.0 terminal app that runs Claude Code, Codex and other agents in separate tmux sessions and git worktrees, with a diff tab for review before anything is pushed. No protocol support is documented.
Shortlist facts
| Tool | Type | Languages | License | Pricing | Pattern | MCP | A2A | AG-UI | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | Harness | TypeScript, Python | unknown | Hosted, paid | Supervisor | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 148,737 |
| Codex CLI | Harness | Rust, TypeScript, Python | Apache-2.0 | Open core | Supervisor | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 127,433 |
| OpenCode | Harness | TypeScript | MIT | Open core | Supervisor | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 211,180 |
| Cline | Harness | TypeScript | Apache-2.0 | Open core | Supervisor | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 69,629 |
| OpenHands | Harness | TypeScript, Python | MIT | Open core | Supervisor | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 89,658 |
| Container Use | Orchestrator | Go | Apache-2.0 | Open source, free | Other | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 4,052 |
| Claude Squad | Orchestrator | Go | AGPL-3.0 | Open source, free | Other | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 8,553 |
FAQ
Do I need an extra tool to run several coding agents?
Not necessarily. Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and Cline document built-in subagents. Separate tools such as Container Use or Claude Squad add isolation (containers, worktrees) and a place to review parallel sessions.
Which of these are open source?
Codex and Cline are Apache-2.0, OpenCode and OpenHands are MIT, Container Use is Apache-2.0 and Claude Squad is AGPL-3.0. Claude Code is proprietary: its LICENSE.md reserves all rights.
Why is Vibe Kanban not in the list?
Its README says the project is sunsetting and is now community maintained, which fails the maintenance criterion. It still runs locally; see its tool page.
Are agent teams better than subagents for coding?
Claude Code's docs recommend subagents for focused tasks and agent teams only when workers must coordinate with each other; teams are experimental and cost more tokens. See the agent teams vs subagents comparison.