About
Why we build Cortex
Cortex exists so building software with AI feels like one workflow, not ten tools.
01 / Mission
One unified AI workflow
We believe AI agents should do real software work: understand a codebase, make the change, run the checks, and show the evidence.
Cortex started as an open-source CLI coding agent that runs in the terminal with access to the file system and development tools. WEB, IDE, and VIBE extend that same workflow so teams can plan, build, and review without splitting decisions across tools.
Open by default
Cortex CLI is open source. Anyone can read how it works, run it locally, and shape it.
- Open-source CLI at the core
- Four install methods, five minute quick start
- Community support on the free plan
Deliberate autonomy
Agents are useful when their boundaries are clear. Tools and permissions are granted on purpose, not by default.
- Configurable autonomy per task
- File, shell, browser, and API access granted deliberately
- Custom agents with explicit restrictions
Privacy first
Privacy modes decide what leaves your environment, so sensitive work stays under your control.
- Standard, Privacy, and ZeroKnowledge modes
- Local model support for private experiments
- SOC 2 aligned infrastructure
One thread of work
Prompts, decisions, evidence, and handoffs stay together so teammates continue the same software thread.
- Session management across WEB and IDE
- Context that survives workflow switches
- Evidence and review in the same place
Talk to the team.
Questions about the workflow, plans, or security? We reply within one to two business days.