Critique CLI Documentation

Critique is an independent code-review CLI for developers and coding agents. Run it inside a Git repository to review staged, unstaged, deleted, and safe untracked files—no pull request or commit required.

npm install --global @critiquedotsh/cli
critique login
critique quick

Start with Getting started, then use the complete CLI reference.

Core workflow

flowchart LR
  Work[Local working tree] --> Capsule[Redacted change capsule]
  Capsule --> Skills[Bundled review methodologies]
  Skills --> Review[Independent review]
  Review --> Proof[Structured result and proof]
  Review -->|proven defect| Repair[Bounded repair]
  Repair --> Verify[Fresh-workspace verification]
  Verify --> Proof

Critique ships with 38 substantive review methodologies spanning frontend frameworks, accessibility, Python and other languages, APIs, auth, data, migrations, async work, infrastructure, AI systems, performance, tests, and documentation. The changed paths select relevant guidance automatically, then the reviewer must actually investigate and substantiate the resulting hypotheses.

Start with critique quick for a fast read-only check, then use critique finish --intent "..." --repair pack --json when task context and a structured handoff matter. For a deeper pass, use critique cyber, critique break, critique stress, critique security --intent "...", critique performance, or critique reliability. These add dedicated specialist skills and can repair a defect only after proving and freshly verifying it.

Local is the normal choice: your code stays on your machine. Choose --engine cloud only when you need a clean remote machine. Cloud receives the safe current working tree, including uncommitted changes, and uses fresh full-repository workspaces for critique, repair, and verification.

The default managed provider alias is deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash-latest. Signed-in users can choose another catalog model—with provider icon and current credit floor—in Account. Temporary provider-sponsored free routes are separated and carry explicit availability and ZDR warnings.

Documentation map

The Dashboard, Repo home, Control Board, Change Passports, Review runs, Merge Gate API, and Platform API v1 extend the CLI workflow for teams. They are not prerequisites for local review.