Practical overview
When it fits
Use Cligate when a local deployment needs both a task-oriented AI assistant and a shared routing layer for several model clients or providers.
Who it is for
- People using Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI or OpenClaw who want a local shared model-access layer.
- Operators managing provider accounts, API keys, model routes, logs and local runtimes.
- Users building assistant workflows around MCP, skills, tools, channels and scheduled tasks.
Documented uses
- Route requests from multiple AI coding clients through one local proxy.
- Map applications and model names to configured provider access.
- Manage accounts, API keys, routing priority, logs, usage and pricing views.
- Run assistant tasks with memory, approvals, tools, channels and scheduled work.
- Connect MCP, skills, shell or file tools and optional delegated coding-agent sessions.
Requirements & limits
The documented setup uses a local npm installation, global npm installation or desktop release package. The README requires Node.js 24 or later for the npm path and describes access to a local dashboard at http://localhost:8081. At least one working account, API key or local model runtime is required for the model-access path.
- Choose the assistant path if you need memory, approvals, follow-ups, scheduled tasks, channels or tool execution.
- Choose the proxy path if your main requirement is shared model access for multiple clients or API-compatible applications.
- Check provider and client configuration needs before adoption: the project documents separate settings for Claude Code and Codex CLI, with dashboard configuration for Gemini CLI and OpenClaw.
- The framework is local-first and includes account, API-key, routing, model-mapping and log-management functions in the proxy layer.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Start Cligate and configure a first local proxy
Set up the local service, add a credential, and prepare a supported client connection.
Before you start
- Node.js 24 or later for the npm installation path.
- A working account, provider API key, or local model runtime.
- Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, OpenClaw, or another API-compatible client for the proxy path.
Steps
Start Cligate with the documented npm command, install it globally, or open a platform release package.
Open the local dashboard at http://localhost:8081.
Add a credential through Accounts, API Keys, or Local Models.
Use the dashboard configuration path for Gemini CLI or OpenClaw, or apply the documented Claude Code or Codex CLI settings.
Expected outcome
A local Cligate service is started with a configured credential and a documented client connection path.
Guide limitations
- The guide documents setup and configuration paths, but does not establish that a particular provider credential or client request will work in every environment.
- Provider access still depends on the configured account, API key, or local runtime.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 3 October 2026
- Original website title
- codeking-ai/cligate · Official homepage title · retained in its source language

