Amazon Q CLI (deprecated, migrate to Kiro CLI)
Agentic chat experience in your terminal. Build applications using natural language.
- Source repo
- aws/amazon-q-developer-cli
- Stars
- ★ 2k
- Last updated
- 5mo ago
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Primary language
- Rust
- FA score
- 46/100 · Major gaps
At a glance
- How it runs
- Works with
- Platform-specific
- Cost
- Free software; you pay for model usage
- Setup effort
- Low · running in minutes
- You'll need
- Typical use
- A developer wants to ask coding questions or get code suggestions without leaving the terminal.
- Not a fit if
- Teams needing long-term maintenance and updates
- Windows users (not supported)
- Source review
- 46/100 · Major gaps 1 safety controls not found
What does this agent do, and when should you use it?
Amazon Q CLI is a terminal-based agentic chat tool that enables developers to build applications using natural language. Built with Rust and TypeScript, it provides a q command-line interface that integrates seamlessly into your shell. The repository includes multiple Rust crates, with the core chat_cli crate handling user interaction and communication with Amazon Q Developer. However, the project is no longer actively maintained and has been superseded by the closed-source Kiro CLI. For long-term adoption, consider migrating to Kiro CLI. The tool supports macOS and Linux, with installation via DMG, Homebrew, or Linux packages. It is dual-licensed under MIT and Apache 2.0.
Amazon Q CLI provides a q command that lets users interact with Amazon Q Developer using natural language. It reads user input from the terminal, sends it to the service over the network, and displays the response. The core component is the chat_cli crate, and commands are executed via cargo run --bin chat_cli in development. Users can run q to start a chat session or use subcommands like q login. The tool requires network connectivity to reach AWS services and operates entirely within the user's command-line environment.
- A developer wants to ask coding questions or get code suggestions without leaving the terminal.
- A system administrator uses natural language to generate shell scripts for automation tasks.
- A beginner programmer uses conversational guidance to learn about APIs and frameworks.
- A hacker or maker quickly prototypes small applications by describing them in plain English.
- A Linux or macOS power user prefers CLI-driven workflows and wants AI assistance integrated there.
How do you install or deploy this agent?
For macOS, download the DMG from the provided link or run brew install --cask amazon-q. For Linux, follow the official docs for Ubuntu/Debian, AppImage, or alternative builds. For development, install Rust (including nightly) and typos-cli, clone the repo, and use cargo run --bin chat_cli to run the tool.
How do you use this agent?
After installation, run q from your terminal to start an interactive chat session. You may need to log in first using q login. Type your natural language request and receive responses. For subcommands, use q followed by the subcommand name.
What are this agent's strengths and limitations?
- Rust-based, offering high performance and memory safety.
- Native support for macOS and Linux, integrating well with shell workflows.
- Multiple installation methods (DMG, Homebrew, Linux packages) for convenience.
- Dual MIT and Apache 2.0 licensing allows flexible use and modification.
- Clear project structure with separate crates for maintainability.
- No longer actively maintained; only critical security fixes are provided.
- Strong dependency on Amazon Q Developer service, causing vendor lock-in.
- No Windows support, limiting adoption on that platform.
- Lacks integration with other LLM providers or local models.
- Documentation is sparse, making customization or self-hosting difficult.
How does this agent compare with similar options?
The project is being succeeded by the closed-source Kiro CLI (kiro.dev/cli), which offers continued updates and new features.
Key facts side by side with the most closely related agents.
| Agent | Source review | Form / cost | Stars | Updated | Language | Full support on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Q CLI (deprecated, migrate to Kiro CLI) This agent | 46 · Major gaps | CLIFree + model costs | ★ 2k | 5mo ago | Rust | — |
| Grok Build (grok CLI) | 40 · Major gaps | CLIFree + model costs | ★ 27k | 19d ago | Rust | — |
| agterm | 75 · Good | Desktop appFree | ★ 677 | today | Swift | Codex · Claude Code |
| Calyx | 59 · Major gaps | Desktop appFree | ★ 348 | 4d ago | Swift | Codex · Claude Code |
How does FollowAgents rate this agent?
Why each dimension lost points
Evidence shows a security reporting process (SECURITY.md), pinned dependencies, but no specific implementation of least privilege or user confirmation. Data flow transparency is insufficient, sensitive data handling details are not public. External effects (e.g., network calls) are not clearly stated. Rollback mechanism not mentioned. Source attribution is clear (AWS official org), but no specific evidence supports it.
Project structure is clear, Cargo.toml defines workspace, README provides build and test commands, self-consistency is good. Dependencies are pinned, but availability is not guaranteed. Error messages are not detailed in docs.
Target users are developers, scenario is agentic chat in terminal. Capability boundaries are not explicit, trigger precision not detailed. Environment fit (macOS/Linux) has install instructions, but not all platforms covered.
Information architecture is clear (README has project layout), install notes are detailed, naming is stable (version number explicit). Examples and FAQ are sparse, known limitations not explicit. License is MIT and Apache-2.0 dual, versioning has version number but no changelog. Maintenance responsibility is clear (AWS team), but project is no longer actively maintained.
Output usability not detailed, marginal value high (provides terminal agentic experience), cost-benefit not assessed.
Claim traceability is moderate, cross-source corroboration insufficient, facts and inferences not clearly separated.
- Not found in source: rollback or recovery pathBack up first, or work on a git branch or snapshot, so its changes can be undone.
- Project is no longer actively maintained, only critical security fixes, assess long-term support risk before use.
- No AGENTS.md or similar file provided, agent behavior boundaries are unclear.
- Many dependencies, supply chain security should be monitored.
Recent releases
Latest entries from the project's GitHub Releases. Notes are quoted from upstream as written, not rewritten or tested by FollowAgents.
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Release notes excerpt
What's Changed * add update announcement by @zixlin7 in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3433 * update copy by @zixlin7 in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3452 * chore: version bump by @dingfeli in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3453 * fix: announcement correction by @dingfeli in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3454 * chore: update kiro update showcount from 2 to 5 by @brandonskiser in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3457 …View on GitHub ↗ -
Release notes excerpt
What's Changed * Revert "added hint for multiline triple backtick code block detector" by @dingfeli in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3439 * chore: version bump by @dingfeli in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3440 * fix: Adds missing comma by @kensave in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3441 Full Changelog: https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/compare/v1.19.5...v1.19.6View on GitHub ↗ -
Release notes excerpt
What's Changed * added hint for multiline triple backtick code block detector by @ekang7 in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3327 * fix: update branding by @brandonskiser in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3427 * chore: bump version to 1.19.5 by @brandonskiser in https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/pull/3428 Full Changelog: https://github.com/aws/amazon-q-developer-cli/compare/v1.19.4...v1.19.5View on GitHub ↗