Compare
Forkbench vs crystl
crystl is a macOS multitasking terminal for AI coding agents, with parallel worktrees, orchestration, token tracking and an iPhone companion.
Updated
crystl and Forkbench are both desktop apps built for running coding agents in parallel. crystl focuses on orchestration and token tracking. Forkbench adds boundaries around every job: a kernel folder lock, a Vault so agents never read your keys, a red needs-you flag, human sign-off on every task and sharing a single job with a teammate or client.
Same starting point, different finish line: Forkbench is built for the moment you need to trust what the agents are doing.
| Forkbench | crystl | |
|---|---|---|
| Agents locked to your project folders | Yes. The macOS kernel seals off the rest of your home folder, per Thread | Parallel worktrees |
| API keys the agent never sees | Yes. The Vault runs the command and the agent only gets the result | Stores API keys in the Keychain |
| Every agent at a glance | Yes. A live pulse on every tab and the task each agent claimed | Yes |
| Know when an agent is stuck | Instantly. It turns red and the Thread counts who needs you | Yes |
| Share one job with a teammate or client | Yes. Invite them to one Thread, never your machine | Not published |
| Human sign-off before work counts as done | Always. Agents report, only you accept | Agent-reported |
| Works with | Any CLI agent: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor CLI, Gemini CLI, Aider, your own scripts | Claude Code, Codex, Antigravity CLI |
| Price | Free | Free; Guild $170/year |
Why developers pick Forkbench
- Kernel folder lock per Thread.
- A free Vault.
- Only a human can accept a task as done.
- Invite someone to one job, not your machine.
What crystl does well
- Token tracking and action panels.
- An iPhone app on the paid Guild plan.
The verdict
crystl is a solid Mac app for organising and tracking several agents at once. Where it stops is boundaries and sign-off: Forkbench adds the kernel folder lock, the Vault, and a rule that nothing counts as done until a human says so.
Keep reading
Sources
Comparison based on publicly available information, checked on the date above. Spot something out of date? Tell us.