Practical overview
When it fits
Use it when an AI coding agent has changed a Git worktree and you want a terminal-based diff review with feedback tied to specific lines. Choose herdr mode when you need to send comments or review the latest-turn scope; standalone mode supports repository review without those two functions.
Who it is for
- Developers reviewing code changes made by AI coding agents.
- Herdr users who want to inspect diffs and return line-specific feedback without leaving the terminal.
- Terminal-based reviewers who want to inspect a repository’s diffs in standalone mode.
Documented uses
- Inspect worktree changes by file, branch, uncommitted state, latest turn or selected commits.
- Leave comments on a line or range of lines and send them to a supported agent through herdr.
- Search files and code or inspect current file contents while reviewing.
- Read a branch’s pull request in a pane without posting to it.
Requirements & limits
The project is open source under the MIT license. Prebuilt binaries are available through the documented herdr plugin installation; a Rust toolchain is not required for that install.
- The herdr plugin workflow requires herdr 0.9.3 or later and Git; the standalone app can review a repository but cannot send comments or use the last-turn scope.
- The terminal must support truecolor and Unicode box-drawing.
- An authenticated
gh,glab, orazCLI is needed only for the read-only PR tab. - Reviewr does not modify the worktree or send comments without the reviewer’s action.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Install Reviewr as a herdr plugin
Install and open the Reviewr pane in the current herdr workspace.
Before you start
- herdr 0.9.3 or later
- Git on PATH
- A truecolor terminal with Unicode box-drawing
- macOS, Linux or Windows
Steps
Run
herdr plugin install persiyanov/herdr-reviewr.Open the plugin in the current workspace with
herdr plugin action invoke open --plugin persiyanov.reviewr.Review the worktree’s changed files in the pane; the documented plugin workflow can open automatically when herdr creates a workspace for a worktree.
Expected outcome
Reviewr opens as a pane for inspecting the worktree’s diffs.
Guide limitations
- Sending comments and the last-turn diff scope require herdr.
- The PR tab requires an authenticated provider CLI:
gh,glab, orazwith the Azure DevOps extension.
Comment on a diff and send feedback
Attach line-level comments to a diff and pass them to the coding agent.
Before you start
- Reviewr open beside the agent in a herdr workspace
- A worktree with changes to review
Steps
Choose a changed file in the navigator; use
jandkto move through files or]to move between hunks.Press
Tabto focus the diff.Press
vand usejandkto select lines, or select using the gutter.Press
c, enter a comment and pressEnter; presssto send all comments to the agent’s input.
Expected outcome
The selected-line comments are sent to the agent’s input.
Guide limitations
- Sending requires herdr; standalone mode does not support Send.
- Reviewr does not send comments on its own; the reviewer triggers the send action.
Compare options for AI coding assistance
These projects document a common task and share a project role. This is a source-based comparison, not an execution benchmark or a guarantee of interchangeability.
| Project | Documented purpose | Platform | Access and requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herdr Reviewr | Inspect worktree changes by file, branch, uncommitted state, latest turn or selected commits. | CLI | The project is open source under the MIT license. Prebuilt binaries are available through the documented herdr plugin installation; a Rust toolchain is not required for that install. |
| Spectra | Clarify requirements and compare approaches before proposing a change. | CLI, Desktop | The README lists a macOS and Windows desktop app, and a Homebrew installation for macOS. The CLI is published through npm and requires Node.js 22.14 or newer. |
| Skills — michaelshimeles | Install reusable task-specific skills into a coding-agent setup. | CLI | The repository README provides an npx installation command for most coding agents and describes automatic or explicit skill invocation in Claude Code. |
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 13 October 2026
- Original website title
- persiyanov/herdr-reviewr · Official homepage title · retained in its source language

