Key takeaways
- Task queue system for dispatching work to multiple AI coding agents with priority reordering
- Unified approval inbox for reviewing agent permission requests across all running agents
- Native macOS, iOS, and visionOS app with keyboard-driven interface and Spotlight integration
FAQ
What is Axel?
Axel is a native Mac task manager for AI coding agents—queue tasks, dispatch them to the right agent, and approve or deny permission requests from one inbox.
What agents does Axel support?
Axel works with Claude, Codex, OpenCode, and Antigravity out of the box.
How is Axel different from other agent apps?
Axel focuses on task queuing and approval governance rather than being another IDE; it's 'Todoist for AI coding agents.'
Executive Summary
Axel positions itself as "Todoist for AI coding agents"—a task queue and approval inbox that lets developers dispatch work to multiple AI agents and manage permission requests from a single interface. Unlike IDE-style agent apps, Axel focuses specifically on orchestration, queuing, and governance rather than code editing.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Company | Independent |
| Founded | 2026 |
| Funding | Unknown |
| Employees | Unknown |
| Headquarters | Unknown |
Product Overview
Axel addresses the operational friction of running multiple AI coding agents. Instead of juggling separate terminal windows or browser tabs for different agents, developers use Axel to queue tasks, assign them to the appropriate agent (Claude, Codex, OpenCode, or Antigravity), and handle all permission requests from a unified inbox.
The app uses a declarative approach: an AXEL.md file defines your workspace layout, panes, skills, and grid positions. Tasks can be reordered while running, and sessions persist via tmux or iTerm2.
Key Capabilities
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| Task Queue | Add tasks, assign to agents, reorder priorities on the fly |
| Unified Inbox | Approve/deny file edits, commands, API calls from all agents |
| Portable Skills | Skills in ~/.config/axel/skills symlinked to each agent |
| Worktree Automation | axel -w feat/auth spawns worktree + tmux session |
| Auto-Approve Rules | Skip inbox for read-only ops or small edits under N tokens |
| macOS Notifications | Get pinged when an agent is blocked waiting for approval |
Product Surfaces
| Surface | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| macOS App | Native SwiftUI with menu bar | GA |
| iOS App | Mobile task management | GA |
| visionOS App | Spatial computing support | GA |
Technical Architecture
Axel manages agent sessions through tmux or iTerm2, allowing sessions to persist after closing the terminal. Workspaces are defined declaratively in AXEL.md with YAML frontmatter specifying panes, skills, and layout. Git worktrees provide isolation for parallel agent work.
Key Technical Details
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deployment | Local Mac/iOS/visionOS app |
| Session Management | tmux or iTerm2 |
| Workspace Config | AXEL.md with YAML frontmatter |
| Isolation | Git worktrees |
| Open Source | No |
Strengths
- Focused scope — Does one thing well: task queuing and approval governance; not trying to be an IDE
- Multi-agent dispatch — Same queue, different agents; pick the right tool for each task
- Keyboard-driven — New pane, dispatch, reorder, kill—all via shortcuts; Spotlight integration
- Approval governance — Centralized inbox with full context (file path, diff preview, command args) before approving
- Cross-platform Apple — Native apps for macOS, iOS, and visionOS
- Session persistence — tmux-backed sessions survive terminal closure
Cautions
- Apple-only — No Windows or Linux support; tied to Apple ecosystem
- New product — Launched recently with limited community feedback
- Configuration overhead — AXEL.md and skills setup may have learning curve
- Worktree conflicts — Multiple agents touching overlapping files can create merge conflicts
- Unknown pricing — Free download available, but long-term model unclear
Pricing & Licensing
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Full app functionality |
Licensing model: Free app; BYOK for agents
Hidden costs: Agent subscriptions (Claude, Codex, etc.) paid separately
Competitive Positioning
Direct Competitors
| Competitor | Differentiation |
|---|---|
| Agentastic | Axel focuses on task queuing/approval; Agentastic is a full terminal IDE |
| Auto-Claude | Axel is human-driven dispatch; Auto-Claude is autonomous execution |
| Commander AI | Axel is about orchestration; Commander is about prompt→diff→commit |
When to Choose Axel Over Alternatives
- Choose Axel when: You need task queuing and centralized approval governance across agents
- Choose Agentastic when: You want full terminal access and worktree-based development
- Choose Auto-Claude when: You want fully autonomous agent execution
Ideal Customer Profile
Best fit:
- Developers managing multiple AI agents who want structured task dispatch
- Teams needing approval governance and audit trails for agent actions
- Apple ecosystem users (Mac, iPhone, Vision Pro)
- Power users who prefer keyboard-driven interfaces
Poor fit:
- Developers wanting a full IDE or terminal experience
- Windows or Linux users
- Teams preferring autonomous agent execution without approval gates
Viability Assessment
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Financial Health | Unknown |
| Market Position | Niche (orchestration-focused) |
| Innovation Pace | Active (multi-platform) |
| Community/Ecosystem | Growing |
| Long-term Outlook | Promising differentiation |
Axel's focus on orchestration rather than IDE features carves out a unique niche. The expansion to iOS and visionOS shows ambition beyond desktop development.
Bottom Line
Axel takes a unique approach in the Mac coding agent app space by focusing specifically on task queuing and approval governance rather than being another IDE. This "Todoist for AI agents" positioning could resonate with developers who already have their preferred editor but want better agent orchestration.
Recommended for: Developers who want structured task dispatch and centralized approval management across multiple AI agents
Not recommended for: Users wanting a full IDE experience, Windows/Linux developers, or those preferring autonomous agent workflows
Outlook: Differentiated positioning with cross-platform Apple support; success depends on whether orchestration becomes a distinct product category
Research by Ry Walker Research • methodology