Command-line tools remain an essential part of modern software development. They help developers automate repetitive tasks, manage projects efficiently, interact with APIs, and integrate workflows into CI/CD pipelines.
Here are 10 CLI tools worth knowing in 2026.
1. Git
Git is one of the most widely used command-line tools for version control.
Developers use it to manage source code, create branches, track changes, and collaborate with teams.
Common commands include:
git clone <repository>
git checkout -b feature-branch
git add .
git commit -m "Update feature"
git push
Git is essential for almost any modern development workflow.
2. Docker CLI
Docker CLI allows developers to build, run, and manage containers directly from the terminal.
docker build -t my-app .
docker run my-app
It is particularly useful for creating consistent development and deployment environments.
3. curl
curl is a lightweight command-line tool for making HTTP requests.
curl https://api.example.com/users
It is useful for quickly testing APIs, debugging endpoints, and interacting with web services without opening a graphical application.
4. jq
jq is a powerful command-line JSON processor.
It works particularly well with API responses and can be combined with tools such as curl.
curl https://api.example.com/users | jq '.[] | .name'
For developers working extensively with JSON APIs, jq can significantly simplify data processing.
5. Kubernetes CLI (kubectl)
kubectl is the standard command-line tool for interacting with Kubernetes clusters.
Developers and DevOps teams use it to deploy applications, inspect resources, view logs, and manage workloads.
kubectl get pods
kubectl get services
kubectl logs <pod-name>
It is an essential tool for teams working with containerized applications.
6. HTTPie
HTTPie provides a user-friendly command-line interface for interacting with HTTP services.
Compared with raw curl commands, its syntax can be easier to read when testing APIs manually.
It is useful for API exploration, debugging, and development workflows.
7. Hurl
Hurl is a command-line tool designed for running HTTP requests and testing their responses.
Tests can be stored in plain-text files, making them easy to version-control and integrate into automated pipelines.
This makes Hurl an interesting option for developers who want repeatable HTTP testing from the terminal.
8. Apidog CLI
Apidog CLI is designed for teams that want to integrate API testing into command-line and CI/CD workflows.
It can be used to run API test scenarios from the terminal, making it possible to include API validation as part of automated development pipelines.
For example:
apidog login
apidog run
This can be useful for teams that want to connect API testing with their existing development and deployment workflows.
9. GitHub CLI (gh)
GitHub CLI brings GitHub functionality directly into the terminal.
Developers can manage repositories, issues, pull requests, and GitHub Actions without switching between the terminal and browser.
gh repo clone owner/repository
gh pr create
gh issue list
For teams using GitHub heavily, gh can make everyday development workflows more efficient.
10. Terraform CLI
Terraform CLI is widely used for infrastructure as code.
Developers and DevOps teams can define infrastructure configuration in code and manage resources consistently across environments.
Common commands include:
terraform init
terraform plan
terraform apply
It is especially useful for automating cloud infrastructure and deployment workflows.
Final Thoughts
CLI tools are still a fundamental part of modern development.
From version control with Git and container management with Docker to API testing with Apidog CLI and infrastructure automation with Terraform, command-line tools allow developers to build workflows that are faster, repeatable, and easier to automate.
The right combination depends on your technology stack and development process, but learning a few essential CLI tools can make a significant difference in everyday development.