Code Kanban: The Ultimate Terminal Management Tool for AI-Powered Development Workflows

高效码农

4 hours ago

Code Kanban: The Ultimate Terminal Management Tool for AI-Powered Development

In today’s AI-assisted programming landscape, developers face a new challenge: how to efficiently manage multiple AI coding tasks simultaneously? Picture this: you have Claude, Cursor, and Gemini working on different branches, with twenty-plus terminal windows to juggle. Sound overwhelming?

Code Kanban was built specifically to solve this pain point. It’s not another AI programming assistant—it’s a management platform that helps you work better with your existing AI tools.

What Exactly Is This Tool

Code Kanban is a locally-run project management tool designed specifically for AI-era programming workflows. Simply put, it’s like installing a control panel for your development environment that lets you:

Manage multiple code repositories from a single interface
Run multiple terminals simultaneously, each handling different AI tasks
Track development tasks using a kanban board
Switch quickly between different Git branches

Most importantly, it’s a single-file application that works right out of the box, with all data stored locally—no privacy concerns whatsoever.

Why You Need This Kind of Tool

Traditional development involved you writing code, one project per branch, maybe a few terminals open at most. But AI programming has changed the pace:

You might have Claude Code refactoring code on one branch, while another AI adds new features on a different branch, and yet another runs tests. Three projects running simultaneously, each with multiple parallel tasks.

At this point, your operating system’s built-in window management falls short. You need:

Clear Task Organization: Which AI is doing what? What’s the progress?

Fast Context Switching: Jump instantly from Project A’s frontend development to Project B’s backend debugging

Flexible Branch Management: Don’t like what the AI wrote? Roll back and start over quickly

Terminal Integration: No more hunting through multiple windows

Code Kanban integrates all these needs into a single web interface—just open your browser and you’re ready to go.

Core Features Explained

Multi-Project Management

The left sidebar lets you add multiple projects, each corresponding to a Git repository. Click a project name to switch, and all related terminals, tasks, and notes switch with it.

This design is particularly suited for microservices architectures or teams with separate frontend and backend repositories. For example, if you’re maintaining frontend, backend, and mobile repositories simultaneously, you can switch between them in Code Kanban instead of digging through file managers.

Git Worktree Support

This is a Git feature many people aren’t familiar with, but it’s incredibly useful. The traditional way to develop a new feature looks like this:

Stop your current work
Commit or stash current changes
Switch branches
Start the new task

With Worktree, a single repository can have multiple branches checked out to different directories simultaneously. Code Kanban integrates this functionality—you can create and manage Worktrees right from the interface.

Real-world scenario: Have an AI develop a new feature in worktree-feature-A while simultaneously fixing an urgent bug in worktree-bugfix-B. Two tasks don’t interfere with each other, you can check progress anytime, and merge whichever one you’re satisfied with.

Task Board

This is a streamlined kanban system with three states: To Do, In Progress, and Done. Each task card can:

Link to a Git branch
Include descriptions and deadlines
Change status by dragging
Add tags for categorization

While not as feature-rich as Jira, it’s perfectly adequate for individual developers or small teams. Especially when combined with AI programming, you can create cards for each AI task, clearly documenting what you asked the AI to do and the results.

Web Terminal

This terminal is built on xterm.js, the same technology stack as VSCode, providing a near-desktop terminal experience. Special features include:

Tab Management: Organize terminals with browser-like tabs, drag to reorder

Keyboard Shortcuts: Press the ` key to quickly show/hide the terminal panel

Multiple Terminals: Split the screen horizontally or vertically to view multiple terminal outputs simultaneously

Automatic History Saving: Close and reopen, and your command history is still there

This design solves the frequent log-checking needs in AI programming. For instance, if Claude Code is running, you need to simultaneously view its output, Git status, and test results—three terminals split on screen for clear visibility.

Note-Taking Feature

During development, there’s always something to jot down: API endpoints, temporary ideas, troubleshooting approaches. Code Kanban includes a simple built-in notebook supporting:

Multi-tab note organization
Markdown formatting
Auto-save
Tag renaming and sorting
Keyboard shortcut 1 for quick access

Notes are isolated per project—switch projects and the notes switch too. Perfect for recording project-specific configuration details, AI prompt templates, and pitfall documentation.

Editor Integration

Code Kanban isn’t meant to replace VSCode or Cursor—it serves as their command center. The interface lets you open with one click:

VSCode
Cursor
Zed
Other editors you configure

Click a button, and the editor automatically opens to the current project directory. Find the code location you need to modify on the board, click once to jump to the editor, make changes, then return to the board to check the AI’s progress.

Technical Details

Technology Stack

Code Kanban uses a frontend-backend separation architecture:

Frontend: Vue 3.5 + TypeScript 5.8

Vue was chosen for its mature ecosystem and rich component library, ideal for rapidly building tool-type applications. TypeScript provides type checking to reduce basic errors.

Backend: Go 1.24+

Go’s advantage is compiling into a single executable file with no runtime dependencies. Users can download one exe or binary file and run it—no need to install Node.js or Python environments.

Database: Embedded SQLite

All data is stored locally, no need to install a separate database service. Configuration, tasks, and notes are all in one db file, making backup and migration convenient.

Setting Up Development Environment

If you want to compile it yourself or contribute code, you’ll need:

Environment Requirements

Node.js: v20.19.0 or v22.12.0 and above
Go: 1.24.6 and above
pnpm: recommended package manager

Installing Dependencies

Install frontend dependencies:

cd ui
pnpm install

Install backend dependencies:

go mod tidy

Starting Development Servers

Frontend development server:

cd ui
pnpm dev

The service will run at http://localhost:5173

Backend development server:

go run .

The first run generates a config.yaml configuration file with default port 3007. To change the port to avoid conflicts, edit the config file to something like 3005.

Once the service starts, you can access:

API service: http://localhost:3005
API documentation: http://localhost:3005/docs
Health check: http://localhost:3005/api/v1/health

Command Line Arguments

Several optional parameters are supported at runtime:

-m or --migrate: Force database migration for database structure updates
-i or --install: Install as system service for auto-start on boot
--uninstall: Uninstall system service

Production Build Process

The project provides an automated build script:

python build.py

This script executes in sequence:

Enters the ui directory and runs pnpm build to generate frontend static files
Copies build artifacts from ui/dist/ to the static/ directory
Uses Go compiler with optimization parameters to generate a single executable file

The final output is CodeKanban.exe (Windows) or CodeKanban (Linux/macOS)—running it starts the web server and frontend interface.

Manual Build

If you prefer step-by-step execution:

# Build frontend
cd ui && pnpm build

# Build backend
go build -ldflags="-s -w" -trimpath -o CodeKanban

The -ldflags="-s -w" parameter removes debugging information to reduce file size. -trimpath removes file path information for improved security.

Usage Methods

Development Mode

Frontend and backend run separately, with the frontend proxying API requests to the backend:

Frontend: http://localhost:5173
Backend: http://localhost:3005

This mode is suitable for development and debugging, with frontend code hot-reloading and backend requiring restart after changes.

Production Mode

Run the compiled executable with all resources embedded in a single file:

./CodeKanban

Open your browser and visit http://localhost:3007 to see the complete interface.

Real-World Usage Scenarios

Scenario One: Parallel Multi-Feature Development

You receive three requirements:

Add an export function to the user system
Optimize homepage loading speed
Fix a bug in the payment module

The traditional approach is doing them one by one, but with AI you can work in parallel:

Create three task cards in Code Kanban
Create three Git Worktrees: export-feature, optimize-homepage, fix-payment
Open three terminals, each entering one of these directories
Run different AI tools in each terminal: Claude Code, Cursor CLI, local Qwen Code
The AIs work independently while you switch between them on the board to check progress

Whichever feature completes first gets merged first. Unsatisfied with one? Delete that Worktree and start over—no interference between them.

Scenario Two: Frontend-Backend Collaboration

You’re maintaining a web project with Vue frontend and Go backend in two repositories.

Add both projects to Code Kanban, pointing to these repositories. Switch projects on the left, see corresponding code structure, task lists, and terminals on the right.

Frontend development:

Switch to frontend project
Open terminal and run npm run dev
Have AI add a new page
Record API interface definitions in notes

Backend development:

Switch to backend project
Open terminal and run go run .
Have AI implement based on interface definitions from notes
Update API documentation after testing passes

Both sides develop collaboratively with smooth interface switching and organized information.

Scenario Three: Emergency Fix

A bug appears in production requiring urgent fixing, but you have unfinished feature development in progress.

Pause current work—no need to commit or stash
Create a new Worktree in Code Kanban: hotfix-issue-123
Open a new terminal and enter this directory
Have AI quickly fix the issue
Test passes, merge to main branch, deploy
Delete the hotfix Worktree
Switch back to original feature development—code completely unaffected

The entire process takes less than 10 minutes without managing complex Git commands.

Usage Considerations

Input Method Compatibility

The documentation specifically notes: Chinese users using Sogou Input Method may experience compatibility issues with Claude Code. This isn’t Code Kanban’s fault—the same issue exists in VSCode.

Solutions:

Switch to other input methods like Microsoft Pinyin or Baidu Input Method
Or use the alt+v paste image function to bypass the input method

AI Tool Selection

Code Kanban doesn’t lock you into specific AI tools. Whether you use Claude Code, Cursor, Gemini, Qwen Code, or any other tool, as long as it runs in the terminal, it works with Code Kanban.

This is part of its design philosophy: do management and orchestration well without intervening in specific AI interactions. This way, even as AI tools evolve, Code Kanban remains relevant.

Data Security

All data is stored in a local SQLite database, not uploaded to the cloud. You can backup the config.yaml file and database yourself.

If concerned about data loss, regularly backup the entire working directory. Or write a script to periodically copy to another location.

Performance Considerations

Although it’s a web interface, all logic runs locally with fast response times. Terminal performance depends on xterm.js and is completely smooth for daily use.

If you open a dozen terminals simultaneously, each with heavy output, there might be some lag. In such cases, close unused terminals or collapse them to reduce rendering pressure.

Limitations and Future Directions

The author is candid in the documentation: this tool improves efficiency, but AI development might also make this industry obsolete. This kind of contradictory thinking deserves respect.

Currently, Code Kanban is in early stages with some features still planned:

Mobile Support

Currently PC-only. Future plans may include responsive design or a standalone mobile app for checking tasks and viewing terminal output on phones.

Code Cleanup

Some project code includes auto-generated parts, like frontend API interface definitions. The author plans to make these completely auto-generated to reduce manual maintenance.

Completion Alerts

Play a notification sound when AI tasks finish. Especially useful for time-consuming operations like model training or batch testing—no need to constantly monitor.

Smart Terminal Management

Automatically identify idle terminals and those requiring interaction. For example, if an AI is waiting for your confirmation input, it could be highlighted in a list, allowing you to click and respond immediately.

These features are still in planning, but the author says prioritization will be based on user feedback.

Who Should Use This

Individual Developers

If you maintain multiple projects alone and frequently switch between different codebases, Code Kanban can significantly boost efficiency. Especially when you start using AI-assisted programming and multi-tasking becomes the norm, this tool becomes even more valuable.

Small Teams

Teams of 2-5 people who don’t want heavy project management tools but need basic task tracking and collaboration. Code Kanban can be deployed on an internal network for everyone to access the same address and share the task board.

Note that the note-taking feature is currently single-user and doesn’t support multi-user collaborative editing. The task board supports multiple users but has no permission management, suitable for small teams with mutual trust.

Learners

If you’re learning AI programming tools and want to standardize your workflow, Code Kanban is a good starting point. It forces you to break down tasks into cards and manage branches with Worktree—all good development habits.

Getting and Support

Download and Installation

The project is open source on GitHub. Search for “Code Kanban” to find the repository.

Supports Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms. Download the executable for your system and run it with a double-click.

The first run generates configuration files and the database. Follow prompts to configure Git paths, editor paths, and other information.

License

Code Kanban uses the Apache 2.0 license, meaning you can:

Use it for free
Modify the source code
Use it in commercial projects
Develop secondary versions

Requirements to follow:

Retain original license declarations
Document what modifications were made

Contributing

If you know Vue or Go, code contributions are welcome. The Issues page has problems to solve and feature suggestions—pick something interesting to work on.

Before submitting a PR, opening an Issue for discussion is recommended to avoid duplicate work. Code style should follow existing project conventions.

Feedback and Support

If you find it useful, show support with a Star. For bugs or feature suggestions, submit them in Issues. The author also accepts sponsorships, though even he’s uncertain about the industry’s future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Must I be online to use it?

A: No. Code Kanban runs completely locally without depending on external services. The only thing requiring internet is whatever AI tool you use, like Claude Code.

Q: Does it support Windows 7?

A: Theoretically, Go-compiled programs can run on older systems, but this hasn’t been specifically tested. Windows 10 and above is recommended.

Q: Where is the database?

A: In the same directory as the executable, typically named codekanban.db. You can open it with SQLite clients.

Q: Can I sync across multiple computers?

A: Cloud sync isn’t currently supported. You can manually copy the config file and database to another computer. Cloud sync might be added in the future.

Q: Is memory usage heavy?

A: The backend program is lightweight, typically under 100MB memory. The frontend is a webpage, depending on how many terminals and tasks you open. Normal browser memory usage is a few hundred MB.

Q: Can it run on a server?

A: Yes. Run it on a Linux server and access via SSH port forwarding or Nginx reverse proxy configuration. Note that servers might not have graphical interfaces, so some editor integration features won’t work.

Q: Does it support Docker deployment?

A: The project doesn’t provide an official Docker image, but you can write your own Dockerfile. Note that running Git and terminals in Docker may require additional configuration.

Q: Is there a mobile app?

A: Not currently. Mobile functionality is planned but not the highest priority. You can access it via mobile browser for now—the interface is somewhat usable.

Q: How is it different from GitHub Projects?

A: GitHub Projects is a project management board; Code Kanban is a development environment manager. They have different focuses and can be used together. For example, plan requirements in GitHub Projects and execute development in Code Kanban.

Q: Why not make it a VSCode plugin?

A: The author wanted an editor-independent tool supporting multiple editors. A plugin approach would tie it to the VSCode ecosystem, limiting flexibility.

Summary

Code Kanban addresses a specific pain point in AI-era programming: task management and environment switching. It doesn’t try to be an all-in-one tool but focuses on doing one thing well.

If you:

Use AI-assisted programming
Maintain multiple projects simultaneously
Frequently work in terminals
Want better workflow organization

Then this tool is worth trying. It’s open source and free, works right out of the box, can be uninstalled anytime, and has no learning curve.

Of course, if you’re comfortable with IDE built-in tools or already have mature project management solutions, there’s no need to force it. Tools serve people—what works for you is what’s best.

AI is changing software development, but the essence of tools hasn’t changed: increase efficiency, reduce friction, let you focus on creation. Code Kanban makes an attempt in this direction. How well it works? You’ll only know after trying it.