Top 10 CLI Tools Every Developer Should Try in 2026

Graphical tools are great, but most of my daily development now happens in the terminal. A good CLI tool saves time, integrates with automation, and keeps my workflow consistent across local development and CI/CD. Here are the 10 CLI tools I use the most. Apidog CLI If you're working with APIs, this is the tool I've found myself using the most. I use it to run API test scenarios, manage environments, and reuse the same tests in GitHub Actions instead of maintaining separate GUI workflows. Git Still the foundation of every development workflow. Docker CLI The fastest way to spin up local services and reproduce production environments. GitHub CLI Creating pull requests, reviewing issues, and managing repositories without leaving the terminal is a huge productivity boost. HTTPie Perfect for quick API requests when debugging or exploring endpoints. jq If you work with JSON every day, jq is almost indispensable. ripgrep (rg) Lightning-fast code searching. Once you start using it, it's hard to go back. fd A simpler and faster replacement for the traditional find command. kubectl Essential for anyone deploying applications to Kubernetes. just A lightweight task runner that helps automate repetitive development commands. Final Thoughts The biggest improvement to my workflow has been moving repetitive tasks into the terminal. API testing, deployments, version control, and automation all become easier when everything is scriptable. Among these tools, Apidog CLI has had the biggest impact because it lets me keep API testing in the same terminal-first workflow that I already use for development and CI/CD. What CLI tool couldn't you live without?