Best tools for running multiple coding agents in parallel on one repository
These tools sit on top of coding agents you already use (Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and others) and let several of them work on the same repository at once. They differ in how they keep agents apart, how a person reviews and merges the results, which agents they launch, and whether they are a desktop app, a terminal program or a task board. The order follows the criteria below, not popularity. Data as of 2026-09-30.
Selection criteria
- Isolates parallel work per task (git worktrees, separate checkouts or containers) so agents do not overwrite each other.
- Provides a review step before merge (diff view, pull request flow or review status).
- Launches the agent CLIs you already have, on your own subscriptions or keys, and says so in its docs.
- License and pricing are stated, and the core parallel workflow does not require a paid plan.
- Platform coverage and maintenance status.
Shortlist
- Orca: MIT desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux: one git worktree per task, diff review with commit, push and PR actions, and a supported-agents list that includes Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, OpenClaw and Hermes. It does not proxy model calls. Its structured orchestration layer is labelled experimental.
- Conductor: Closed-source macOS app that bundles Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode, gives each workspace its own worktree, branch and pull request, and has a Free plan for local parallel workspaces; cloud workspaces need the $50 Pro plan. It does not bill or resell model usage.
- Superset: macOS desktop app with one worktree per workspace with its own terminals and ports, a changes panel and PR view, plus a CLI, SDK and MCP server. Source is under the Elastic License 2.0 (not OSI open source); remote access, mobile and automations are Pro features.
- Paseo: Self-hosted daemon with desktop, mobile, web and CLI clients; worktree-backed workspaces, diff review before merge, and optional tools that let one agent spawn others. The README says there is no telemetry and that it is built by one person.
- T3 Code: MIT control surface with desktop, web and mobile clients: each thread can run in its own worktree, one prompt can fan out to several models, and pull requests are reviewed in the app. Releases are 0.0.x and the default permission mode is Full access.
- Multica: Task board where issues are assigned to agents that run on machines you connect, each run in its own working directory, with an in-review status before anything ships. Source-available under the Multica License; runs use the daemon user's full permissions.
- Herdr: Apache-2.0 terminal workspace manager in one Rust binary: agents keep running in a background server, panes show working, blocked or idle, and a CLI and socket API let scripts or agents start other agents. It has worktree commands but no built-in diff review or merge flow.
- 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 pushing.
- cmux: Native macOS terminal for many agent panes with notification rings, an approvals feed and a scriptable browser. Its README calls it a primitive: it has no built-in worktree manager or diff review, so isolation is left to you.
Shortlist facts
| Tool | Type | Languages | License | Pricing | Pattern | MCP | A2A | AG-UI | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orca | Orchestrator | TypeScript | MIT | Open source, free | Other | Partial evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 82,020 |
| Conductor | Platform | Not applicable (hosted product) | Proprietary | Hosted, paid | Other | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | — |
| Superset | Orchestrator | TypeScript | unknown | Open core | Supervisor | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 14,764 |
| Paseo | Orchestrator | TypeScript | unknown | Open core | Supervisor | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 19,066 |
| T3 Code | Orchestrator | TypeScript | MIT | Open source, free | Other | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 23,963 |
| Multica | Platform | Go, TypeScript | unknown | Open core | Supervisor | Partial evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 51,737 |
| Herdr | Orchestrator | Rust | Apache-2.0 | Open source, free | Other | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 41,580 |
| Claude Squad | Orchestrator | Go | AGPL-3.0 | Open source, free | Other | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 8,551 |
| cmux | Orchestrator | Swift | unknown | Open core | Other | Yes evidence | Unknown | Unknown | 27,518 |
FAQ
Do these tools need their own model subscription?
Mostly no. Orca, Conductor, Superset, Paseo and T3 Code state that they launch your installed agent CLIs on your own accounts and do not proxy or resell model usage. Paid plans, where they exist, cover cloud workspaces, remote access or team features.
Is a git worktree a sandbox?
No. Orca's and Conductor's docs both say worktree isolation separates files and branches but is not a security boundary: agents still run with your user's permissions. For container isolation see Container Use on the coding agents page.
Which of these are open source?
Orca and T3 Code are MIT, Herdr is Apache-2.0 and Claude Squad is AGPL-3.0. Paseo's LICENSE file is Apache-2.0 text although GitHub reports no license. Superset (Elastic License 2.0) and Multica (Multica License) are source-available, cmux mixes GPL-3.0 with Business Source License directories, and Conductor is closed source.
What if I want agents to coordinate themselves instead of managing them by hand?
Look at Gas Town (a Mayor agent assigns work and a merge queue lands it), Multica squads, or the harness-level options on the agent teams topic page. Most tools on this page leave coordination to the person.