# How to set up Herdr for multi-agent coding (full guide)

## Executive summary

This guide details setting up Herder, a tool described as the 'meta' for multi-agent coding, allowing developers to manage and orchestrate multiple AI coding agents and projects within a persistent terminal environment. The setup emphasizes creating isolated 'spaces' for different projects, integrating various AI model harnesses (e.g., Grock, Codeex, Claude), and optimizing the workflow using advanced CLI tools like zoxide, Neovim, and Lazygit. The core benefit is achieving a single, persistent interface for complex, multi-agent development cycles, minimizing context switching and session loss.

## Key takeaways

- Persistent Session Management: Herder allows developers to maintain persistent terminal sessions (spaces) that survive terminal closures, similar to T-Mix, ensuring continuous work history and state for CLI-based coding tools.
- Agent Orchestration and Delegation: The Herder skill enables agents to communicate and delegate tasks across different sessions and models (e.g., using Claude to review code started by Grock), providing full transparency into the multi-agent workflow.
- Customization via config.toml: All aspects of Herder—including colors, spacing, and keyboard shortcuts—can be customized using the `config.toml` file, which can even be configured by an AI agent.
- Optimizing Navigation and Workflow: Integrating tools like zoxide for faster folder navigation and Lazygit for Git status review allows the entire development process to be contained within a single, optimized terminal interface.

## Technical details

- Installation and Core Commands: Installation is initiated via a simple command (Linux/Mac/Windows). The primary command is `herder`, which launches the persistent workspace. Users can manage sessions using `herder session list` and `herder-help`.
- Workspace Structure: Work is organized into 'Spaces' (top-level projects) and 'Tabs' (individual sessions/agents). Agents are defined as any session where an AI model harness (e.g., Codeex, Grock) is invoked.
- Integration and Setup: To ensure proper function, users must enable integrations for all desired agent harnesses (e.g., `herder integration install cloud codeex crock`).
- Workflow Enhancements: Recommended external tools include: **zoxide** (for fast folder navigation via `z` command), **Neovim** (for file viewing/editing within the terminal), and **Lazygit** (for reviewing Git status and commits).

## Practical implications

- The setup provides a single, unified screen for managing complex, multi-model development workflows, reducing reliance on multiple desktop applications.
- The ability to delegate tasks between agents using the Herder skill is a powerful pattern for automated code review and orchestration.
- By integrating tools like zoxide and Lazygit, the workflow minimizes context switching, making the entire development cycle feel like a cohesive, persistent session.
- The entire setup is designed to be highly customizable, allowing developers to tailor the CLI experience to their specific needs via `config.toml`.

## Topics

AI Engineering, CLI Development, DevOps, Agent Orchestration, Workflow Automation, Herder, Ghostty, Glaido, Datalumina

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shqtk_2Jd3c