Orca

Orca is a free, open source agent development environment for running several terminal based coding agents across the same project. Each task gets its own Git worktree, so one agent can fix authentication while another writes tests or updates documentation without editing the same checkout.

Orca does not provide its own AI model. You bring the coding agents and subscriptions you already use, then manage their terminals, branches, files, and output from one desktop application. It works with any terminal based agent and includes presets for common coding CLIs.

The interface combines an agent task board, split terminals, a file editor, source control, and diff review. You can inspect what an agent changed, annotate a diff, make a quick correction, and commit without switching to another Git client. GitHub pull requests, issues, checks, and Linear tasks can be attached to the relevant worktree, which helps when several pieces of work are moving at once.

Orca also includes an embedded browser with a visual inspection mode, remote development over SSH, scheduled automations, searchable agent transcripts, notifications, and a mobile companion app. The mobile app is mainly for checking progress and replying when an agent needs approval. It is not a replacement for the desktop editor.

The application runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. There is no Orca login requirement, and the source code is available under the MIT licence. Your agent providers may still require paid subscriptions, API credits, or separate authentication.

Orca makes the most sense once you are already giving substantial work to coding agents. Parallel sessions can consume usage limits quickly, and worktrees add another Git concept for less experienced users to understand. If you normally keep one agent in one terminal, a standard terminal and Git client may be enough. Developers handling several branches, repositories, or agent runs at the same time will get much more from it.

Parallel agent sessions: Run several terminal based coding agents in tabs, panes, or separate tasks.
Isolated Git worktrees: Give each task its own branch and working directory.
Built in source control: Review diffs, edit files, stage changes, commit, and manage branches.
GitHub and Linear integration: Attach pull requests, issues, checks, and project tasks to agent work.
Embedded browser: Inspect local applications and send visual feedback back to an agent.
Remote development: Connect to remote machines and worktrees over SSH.
Agent transcript search: Find previous commands, messages, and decisions across sessions.
Notifications and mobile access: Monitor agents and respond when work finishes or needs attention.
Cross platform support: Available for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Open source: Free software released under the MIT licence.

<h3>Alternatives to Orca</h3>

<ul>

<li><a href="https://aitoolsdirectory.com/tool/openai-codex">OpenAI Codex</a>: Runs coding tasks in parallel cloud sandboxes, edits repositories, executes tests, and prepares pull requests for review.</li>

<li><a href="https://aitoolsdirectory.com/tool/antigravity-cli">Antigravity CLI</a>: Terminal coding agent with parallel subagents, multi-step execution, sandboxing, plugins, MCP support, and desktop handoff.</li>

<li><a href="https://aitoolsdirectory.com/tool/buzz">Buzz</a>: Open-source workspace where developers and AI agents collaborate in channels, review code, run workflows, and retain signed activity records.</li>

<li><a href="https://aitoolsdirectory.com/tool/cursor">Cursor</a>: VS Code-based editor with codebase-aware chat, tab completion, autonomous agents, terminal access, and integrated code review.</li>

<li><a href="https://aitoolsdirectory.com/tool/cline">Cline</a>: Open-source coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains, and the command line that edits files and runs commands with approval controls.</li>

</ul>