This article was written with the help of AI, based on the author's original notes and ideas.
We were running three Claude Code sessions across eight terminal tabs. One had finished ten minutes ago. One was waiting for input we didn't notice. Two were editing the same file. Agentic coding CLIs like Claude and Codex got powerful, but the workflow around them didn't exist. So we built it. That's Lanes.
The workflow gap
AI coding CLIs are incredibly capable on their own. But the moment you run more than one, things fall apart.
No single view. You're alt-tabbing between terminal windows. Which session is busy? Which one stopped? Which one needs your approval? You are the dashboard, and it doesn't scale.
No structure. Tasks live in your head or a separate tracker. There's no connection between "what needs doing" and "what's running." You end up copy-pasting prompts and mentally tracking state instead of shipping.
No isolation. CLI agents share your working directory by default. Two sessions touch the same files, and you spend your time resolving conflicts instead of reviewing results.
An issue board for your AI CLIs
Lanes is a native macOS app that gives each AI coding session an issue card, a real terminal, and an isolated worktree. Everything in one window.
Every session is a card. Create an issue, write the prompt, start the agent. The card tracks status in real time: busy, awaiting input, stopped, error. Drag it through Planning, Implementation, Review, and Done.
Real terminals, not wrappers. Each card runs a PTY-backed terminal session with your shell, your dotfiles, your aliases. Claude Code runs the same way it does in your terminal, just embedded in the board.
Automatic isolation. Lanes creates a git worktree per issue with a generated branch name. Each session works on its own branch. No conflicts until you're ready to merge. Auto-cleanup when the issue is done.
Everything under one roof
Here's what Lanes ships with today:
- Issue Board. Drag issues through Planning, Implementation, Review, and Done. Multi-select, context menus, collapsible columns, and board tabs per project.
- Live Terminals. Real PTY sessions running Claude, Codex, or any AI CLI per issue. Start in plan or implement mode. Resume across restarts. Real-time status: busy, awaiting input, stopped, error.
- Worktree Management. Auto-create git worktrees with generated branch names per issue. Status bar shows uncommitted and unmerged state. Auto-cleanup on completion.
- Git Diffs. Two modes: Changes (working tree) and History (committed). Monaco inline diff viewer with auto branch detection from the active worktree.
- File Browser and Editor. Sidebar file tree with a Monaco editor. Tabbed editing, dirty tracking, syntax highlighting, and save on Cmd+S.
- Dependencies. Link issues as dependencies. Cycle detection prevents circular chains. Blocked issues stay blocked until all prerequisites reach Done.
- Labels and Filtering. Create labels with 13 colors. Filter the board by label, directory, or workflow step.
- Quick Commands. Preset and custom commands triggered with Cmd+Alt+1 through 9. Two types: CLI commands injected into the AI session, and shell commands run directly.
- Process Manager. Discover running CLI processes system-wide. Three classifications: Tracked, Orphan, External. Kill or stop all from one panel.
Why "Lanes"?
Lanes on a road let traffic flow in parallel without collisions. Each AI session gets its own lane: its own card, terminal, branch, and working directory. Structured parallelism with clear boundaries and a shared destination.
Get started
Lanes is available for macOS and in early development. To get access, join our Discord community, where you'll find installation instructions and can share feedback directly with the team.
If you've lost track of your AI CLIs, start here.