Droid CLI vs Junie CLI

Droid CLI

droid exec is read-only unless --auto raises the autonomy level, with command rules, an optional kernel-enforced sandbox, JSON output and documented exit codes. No free tier, status page or security.txt was found, the source is closed, and usage metrics go to Factory by default.

Junie CLI

Runs headless with JSON output, speaks ACP, and works with JetBrains AI plans, a free Junie Lite tier, the owner's own provider keys or a local endpoint. Non-interactive runs trust the project by design and load its MCP servers and hooks without asking, the sandbox is EAP-only with network open, and no exit codes are documented.

Droid CLI

1. Set FACTORY_API_KEY (starts fk-) from the API keys page in Factory settings for headless runs. Interactive use signs in through a browser
2. Start with droid exec and no flags for analysis. Add --auto low for edits and --auto medium for installs, tests and local commits
3. Use --output-format json and read is_error, num_turns and session_id. Treat a non-zero exit code as failure
4. Set sandbox.enabled to true before running on untrusted code. In droid exec a sandbox violation is denied without a prompt
5. Pin the version in CI with npm install -g droid@<version>, or set FACTORY_DROID_AUTO_UPDATE_ENABLED=false on standalone installs, which update themselves

Junie CLI

1. Run headless only in repositories you trust. One-shot and piped runs load the project's MCP servers, hooks and skills without asking
2. Set JUNIE_API_KEY (from junie.jetbrains.com/cli) or a provider key such as JUNIE_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY in CI. The default sign-in opens a browser
3. Add --output-format json or --json-output-file to parse results. Check the output, since exit codes aren't documented
4. Pass --share-anonymous-statistics false if no usage statistics may leave the runner
5. Pin a build with --use-version and --skip-update-check. The CLI updates itself on start by default