kanban-tui CLI
A terminal kanban board in Python that Claude Code and other agents can read and change through a CLI or MCP
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- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- The CLI and MCP server let an agent create, change and delete tasks and boards by id with no confirmation screen
- The jira backend connects with the user's own API key and reads tasks directly from the Jira workspace
Install
- Works in
Manual install
uvx kanban-tui demoRuns the app without installing, with a temporary database and example tasks.
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The CLI and MCP server let an agent create, change and delete tasks and boards by id with no confirmation screen
- The jira backend connects with the user's own API key and reads tasks directly from the Jira workspace
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
kanban-tui is a Textual-based terminal task manager started with ktui, showing a board with Ready, Doing, Done and Archive columns. Columns can be renamed, hidden and reordered, and tasks move between them by keyboard or mouse. Task dependencies keep a task out of Doing until the earlier ones are closed. The board has three data backends. The default is its own SQLite database, which pydantic-settings stores per the XDG spec. The jira backend connects with an API key and builds columns from Jira's task transitions. The claude backend reads JSON files from ~/.claude/tasks/ and builds a separate board for each Claude Code session. Since version 0.11 the `ktui task`, `ktui board` and `ktui column` CLI manages tasks, boards and columns by id, aimed mainly at agents. `ktui skill init` writes a SKILL.md file that wires an agent into this CLI. With the optional mcp extra, `ktui mcp --start-server` starts an MCP server, and pycli-mcp exposes the same commands as MCP tools.
Who it is for. For developers who track personal tasks in the terminal and want Claude Code or another agent to see and change the same tasks.
Good fit when
- You want a kanban board right in the terminal with no browser, dragging tasks with the mouse or H/L/J/K keys
- An agent should create and move tasks by id through the CLI or MCP server
- You want to see Claude Code's own tasks as a board: the claude backend reads ~/.claude/tasks/ and builds one board per session
- The team already uses Jira and wants a local terminal view of the same tasks via a JQL query
- Tasks depend on each other, and a move into Doing should be blocked until the dependencies are closed
Not a fit when
- You need a shared team board with real-time sync: kanban-tui keeps a local SQLite database on one machine
- You want every board feature for Claude Code tasks: that backend only shows them and does not allow edits
- You need the agent to confirm every task deletion: the CLI and MCP run commands right away
Example request
Create a kanban-tui task called "Review PR #42" in the Doing column and show me the list of open tasksLimitations
The claude backend supports only part of the normal board's features: it reads session files from ~/.claude/tasks/ and does not let you edit tasks. The task and board CLI does not yet cover category management or column customization that the full TUI has.
The MCP server needs the optional mcp extra, and a plain install gives only the TUI and CLI. Demo mode, `uvx kanban-tui demo`, runs on a temporary database and deletes it on close unless you pass `--keep`.
How to disable. Remove the package with `uv tool uninstall kanban-tui` (or `pipx uninstall`). To wipe the local database and config without removing the package, run `ktui clear`, and `ktui skill delete` removes the agent's SKILL.md.
FAQ
How do I connect kanban-tui to Claude Code?
To read Claude Code's own tasks, pick the claude backend in settings: it finds the session files and builds a board from them. For an agent to manage tasks, give it the CLI with the SKILL.md file from `ktui skill init`, or connect the MCP server.
Do I need a separate install for the MCP server?
Yes, the plain kanban-tui install only gives you the TUI and CLI. The MCP server appears after `uv tool install kanban-tui[mcp]` and starts with `ktui mcp --start-server`.
Can I try kanban-tui without installing it?
Yes, `uvx kanban-tui demo` runs the app with example tasks without installing the package.
How do I connect kanban-tui to Jira?
Pick the jira backend in settings and supply your Jira account's API key. The board's columns follow the task's own status transitions in Jira, and a JQL query decides which tasks land on the board.
How do I reset kanban-tui to a clean state?
`ktui clear` deletes the current database and config file, so the app starts fresh on the next launch. A separate `ktui skill delete` command removes the agent's skill file.
Discussion
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README in short
The README presents kanban-tui as a terminal task manager with a co-op mode for AI agents and opens with a demo command. Features sit in collapsible sections, and the end covers the task CLI, the MCP server and the agent skill file.