Axel

Overview

Axel is a free task manager for Mac that accelerates multi-agent AI agent workflows. It lets you queue coding tasks, assign them to different AI agents (Claude, Codex, OpenCode, Antigravity), and watch them execute in parallel—all from a native macOS interface. Built with SwiftUI, Axel integrates with tmux and iTerm2 to persist sessions across restarts, while giving you full control over file edits and command execution through a centralized approval inbox.

Designed for developers who work with multiple AI coding assistants, Axel eliminates context-switching between tools. You define project layouts in a single AXEL.md file, store reusable skills in ~/.config/axel/skills, and track token usage and costs in real time. Critical operations require explicit approval by default, with configurable rules to auto-approve low-risk actions for efficiency.

If you're juggling Claude for frontend work, Codex for backend tasks, and want keyboard-driven control over everything, Axel provides a unified orchestration layer. It's especially useful for teams managing concurrent feature branches or developers who need to experiment with different agents on the same codebase.

Key Features

• Task queue with agent dispatch — Queue multiple tasks, assign each to a specific AI agent (Claude, Codex, OpenCode, or Antigravity), and reorder priorities while tasks run in parallel, no restart needed.
• Portable skill library — Store skills once in ~/.config/axel/skills and Axel automatically symlinks them to each agent's expected location when launched, eliminating duplicate configuration.
• Centralized approval inbox — Review all file edits, command executions, and API calls in one place, with full context (file path, diff preview, command args) before you approve or deny.
• AXEL.md project config — Define tmux layouts, skill assignments, pane positions, and grid structures in a single YAML frontmatter file per project, making setups reproducible across machines.
• Token and cost tracking — See input/output tokens and estimated USD cost per task based on official pricing from each AI service, with cumulative session totals, helping you optimize agent usage and budget.
• Git worktree automation — Run axel -w feat/auth to spawn a git worktree and tmux session for that branch automatically, streamlining branch-based workflows.
• macOS-native interface — Built with SwiftUI for macOS with menu bar access, keyboard shortcuts, and Spotlight integration for fast task switching. iOS and visionOS support are mentioned on the official site; availability follows official releases.
• Auto-approve rules — Skip the inbox for read-only operations or small edits under N tokens, reducing friction for low-risk actions while maintaining audit trails.

Pricing & Plans

Axel is open-source (MIT license) and free to use. There are currently no paid tiers or subscriptions for the Axel app itself. Simply download the macOS app from the official website and start managing your AI agent tasks immediately.

Free (Open Source):

• Unlimited task queue management
• Support for all integrated agents (Claude, Codex, OpenCode, Antigravity)
• Full access to portable skills, AXEL.md configs, and approval workflows
• Token and cost tracking included
• Native macOS app with CLI support for Linux

Note: Using third-party AI agents (Claude, Codex, OpenCode, Antigravity) may incur separate subscription or API costs from those service providers. Axel's cost tracking displays estimated usage based on official pricing, but actual charges depend on your agreements with each AI service.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Open-source (MIT) and free to use with no app-level paywalls
• Native macOS app built with SwiftUI for smooth performance and system integration
• Supports multiple AI agents in a single interface, reducing context-switching
• Portable skill system eliminates duplicate configuration across agents
• Full control over approvals with auto-approve rules for low-risk actions
• Token and cost tracking helps optimize agent usage and budget
• Keyboard shortcuts for every action, ideal for keyboard-driven workflows
• Git worktree automation streamlines branch-based development

Cons:

• Native GUI available only on macOS; Linux users can use the CLI (requires tmux)
• Requires familiarity with tmux for session persistence (iTerm2 is an optional mode)
• Early-stage product with limited public reviews and community resources
• No built-in support for agents outside the four integrated options (Claude, Codex, OpenCode, Antigravity)

Best For

• Mac developers managing multiple AI coding assistants across different productivity workflows
• Teams working on concurrent feature branches who need isolated tmux sessions per branch
• Power users comfortable with tmux, command-line workflows, and YAML configuration
• Developers who want centralized approval control over AI-generated file edits and commands
• Freelancers or consultants switching between client projects with different agent skill requirements
• Anyone tracking AI usage costs and token consumption for budget optimization

FAQ