CLI

Install with npm install -g sparse-cli (Node 24 or later). cr is a short alias for sparse.

Commands

Command	What it does
sparse	Start the interactive REPL (same as sparse repl). --fullscreen uses a fixed-input full-screen renderer.
sparse run <prompt>	Run one prompt non-interactively.
sparse agent [prompt]	Run in Agent mode. Also plan, debug, review and orchestrate.
sparse route <prompt>	Classify a prompt and show the chosen route without running it. --explain adds the difficulty, policy, value breakdown and runners-up.
sparse lead [model]	Pin the Lead model. off clears it.
sparse workhorse [model]	Pin the Workhorse model. off clears it.
sparse logs [runId]	List recent runs, or show the full decision timeline for one. -n sets how many runs to list.
sparse loop [request]	Describe an outcome; Sparse generates a verified loop. Previews the spec unless you pass --run.
sparse memory <action>	Inspect or manage persistent memory: show, forget, reset, export, import.
sparse trust [action]	Trust this repo’s instruction files. Actions: list, status, revoke.
sparse untrust	Stop trusting this repo’s instruction files.
sparse mcp <action>	Serve Sparse over MCP (serve) or manage the external MCP servers the agent connects to. See MCP.
sparse app	Open the desktop app, starting the daemon if needed. --settings opens Settings.
sparse daemon	Run the persistent app server that supervises loops and serves the app. -p sets the preferred port.
sparse init	First-run onboarding: detect a host agent, install MCP, write config.
sparse telemetry [action]	Opt-in routing telemetry for testers: status, on, off, preview, sync.

Options for run and the mode commands

Option	What it does
-m, --mode <mode>	plan, agent, orchestrate, debug or review. run only; defaults to agent.
-e, --effort <effort>	low, medium, high or max. Defaults to medium (high for orchestrate).
-r, --route <route>	Force a route, as provider,model. run only.
--fast	Skip the classifier, context gathering and validators.
--apply	Apply the diff to the working tree on success.
--trust	Trust this repo so its instruction files load. Headless runs are untrusted by default.
--json	Print the report as JSON.
-c, --cwd <path>	Working directory. Most commands accept it.

Loop options

Option	What it does
--preset <preset>	safe (default), aggressive, ci-repair or migration.
--run	Execute the generated loop instead of only previewing it.
--apply	Merge changes without pausing for approval.
--max-iterations <n>	Override the iteration cap.