Together AI Releases Free CLI for Open Model Integration

Together AI has released Together Link, a free, MIT-licensed Command Line Interface (CLI) tool that is currently in beta. This new tool enables developers to connect their existing coding agents with open-source AI models that are hosted on the Together AI platform. The supported coding agents include Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Codex, ChatGPT Desktop, OpenCode, and Pi. The core concept behind Together Link is to allow users to retain their familiar coding harnesses and workflows while switching to more cost-effective open models, thereby reducing expenses. The tool is immediately deployable, with a straightforward installation process requiring a single command on macOS or Linux, and only necessitates a Together API key for operation. As it is in beta, Together AI has indicated that commands, routing mechanisms, and the list of supported models may be subject to change.

Together Link addresses a common inefficiency in development workflows where coding agents are frequently directed to use the same premium, closed-source model for all tasks, regardless of complexity. This can range from minor code corrections to extensive code rewrites. In its launch announcement, the Together AI team highlighted that engineering organizations can incur monthly costs ranging from tens of thousands to millions of dollars for using closed-source models. Together AI argues that open-source models have significantly narrowed the performance gap with their proprietary counterparts. For demanding coding tasks, models like Kimi K3 and GLM 5.3 are recommended. For more routine tasks, GLM 5.3 Flash and DeepSeek V4.1 Flash are suggested.

The installation of Together Link is designed to be simple, requiring users to execute a single command to download and set up the tool. The installer automatically includes Bun if it is not already present on the system and places the necessary commands in the ~/.local/bin directory. Users can then launch a graphical interface by running the 'togetherlink' command or initiate specific tools directly, such as 'togetherlink claude', 'togetherlink codex', 'togetherlink opencode', or 'togetherlink pi'. Shorter aliases, like 'tclaude', are also functional. According to the official documentation, Together Link does not require any local proxy or daemon to be running. Instead, each coding agent communicates directly with Together AI's hosted gateway. Terminal agents are provided with temporary per-launch configurations that are automatically removed once the session concludes. For applications like Claude Desktop and ChatGPT Desktop, separate, reversible profiles are utilized, with commands like 'togetherlink chatgpt off' available to revert these changes.

The default configuration for Together Link includes a virtual auto-router for sessions. This auto-router analyzes the initial task of each session to determine the most appropriate model. The stated objective is to direct quick fixes to fast and low-cost models, while more complex or challenging problems are routed to models with advanced capabilities. The auto-router's functionality is further enhanced by API key integration. For instance, with an Anthropic API key, the router can dynamically switch between Anthropic's Opus 5.5 model and GLM 5.3. In scenarios where an Anthropic API key is not provided, the routing will proceed without this specific integration, potentially utilizing other available models based on the session's requirements and the user's configuration.