OpenHands Coding Assistant QuickStart: Install, CLI Flags, Examples

OpenHands is an open-source, model-agnostic platform for AI-driven software development agents . It lets an agent behave more like a coding partner than a simple autocomplete tool. It can work with files, execute commands in a sandboxed environment, and use web browsing when needed. This QuickStart focuses on the OpenHands CLI , because it is the fastest way to get productive from your terminal, and it maps cleanly onto automation patterns like scripts and CI runs. For a broader look at the space, see the AI Developer Tools: The Complete Guide to AI-Powered Development . What OpenHands is and what it does differently An AI coding assistant typically helps you generate or edit code using a language model. OpenHands extends that idea into an “agentic” workflow: the system can iteratively plan, take actions (like writing files or running tests), observe results, and continue until the task is complete. OpenHands is also widely known as the project formerly called OpenDevin , and it has gr