Conductor
macOS app that runs multiple Claude Code and Codex agents simultaneously in isolated git worktrees. Each agent works on a separate branch, enabling parallel agentic coding without a separate IDE.
Conductor: A Windsurf Alternative for Parallel Multi-Agent Coding on Mac
Conductor is a macOS desktop application developed by Melty Labs. It lets developers run multiple Claude Code and Codex agents simultaneously in isolated git worktree workspaces, each working on a separate branch of your repository. As a Windsurf alternative, it is best suited for developers who need to parallelize coding tasks using agentic AI models rather than an integrated IDE experience.
Conductor vs. Windsurf: Quick Comparison
| Conductor | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | CLI agent orchestrator (macOS app) | AI IDE |
| IDEs | Standalone macOS app (no IDE plugin) | Standalone / editor-centric workflow |
| Pricing | Uses your existing Claude/Codex subscription (no separate Conductor fee) | Not publicly documented |
| Models | Claude Code (Anthropic), Codex (OpenAI) | Cascade + others |
| Privacy / hosting | Local — runs entirely on your Mac | Cloud |
| Open source | No | No |
Key Strengths
- True parallelism: Conductor creates multiple isolated git worktrees, each running a separate Claude Code or Codex agent. You can kick off 5 separate feature branches simultaneously and watch all agents progress in real time.
- Agentic-first, not autocomplete-first: Unlike Windsurf which provides IDE-based AI assistance, Conductor is designed specifically for autonomous agentic coding — spin up an agent and let it run unattended on a task.
- Local execution, full privacy: All code stays on your Mac. Conductor uses your existing Claude Pro, Max, or API key subscription — no additional data sharing or separate cloud.
Known Limitations
- macOS only: Conductor is a Mac desktop app. There is no Windows, Linux, or browser version as of v0.56.0.
- Not an IDE: Conductor does not provide inline code suggestions, syntax highlighting, or debugging tools. You write code in your existing editor; Conductor manages agents running against your repo.
Best For
Conductor is best for individual developers and small teams on Mac who already use Claude Code or Codex and want to run multiple autonomous agents in parallel on different branches. It is particularly effective for multi-task workflows where each task can be independently delegated to an agent — feature development, bug fixes, refactors — without constant manual intervention.
Pricing
- Conductor: Free to download. Uses your existing Claude or Codex subscription. No separate Conductor fee is publicly documented.
Prices are subject to change. Check the official site for current details.
Tech Details
- Type: CLI agent orchestrator (macOS desktop app)
- IDEs: Standalone (no IDE plugin required)
- Key features: Parallel git worktrees, Claude Code + Codex agent support, real-time progress view, PR creation, cloud workspace support
- Privacy / hosting: Local (runs on your Mac)
- Models / context window: Claude Code (Anthropic), Codex (OpenAI) — context window depends on model used
When to Choose This Over Windsurf
- You need to run multiple independent coding tasks simultaneously on separate branches.
- You already have a Claude Code or Codex subscription and want an orchestration layer without paying for an additional IDE license.
- You prefer local-first tools where your codebase never leaves your machine.
When Windsurf May Be a Better Fit
- You want an integrated IDE with inline autocomplete, code lenses, and agentic Cascade all in one editor.
- You are on Windows or Linux — Conductor is macOS only.
- You need support for multiple IDEs (VS Code, JetBrains) — Conductor is a standalone app.
Conclusion
Conductor is the right tool if you want to orchestrate parallel autonomous coding agents on Mac with Claude Code or Codex across multiple git branches. If you need a traditional IDE experience with built-in AI assistance, Windsurf or Cursor are more suitable choices.
Sources
FAQ
Is Conductor free?
Conductor itself is free to download. You use it with your existing Claude Pro, Max, or API key, or Codex account. No separate subscription fee for Conductor is publicly listed.
Does Conductor work with VS Code?
No. Conductor is a standalone macOS application, not a VS Code extension. You work in your regular editor and Conductor orchestrates agents against your repository in the background.
How does Conductor compare to Windsurf?
Windsurf is a full AI IDE with inline suggestions, Cascade agent, and agentic coding built into the editor. Conductor is a separate macOS app that orchestrates multiple Claude Code or Codex agents running in parallel git worktrees — no IDE, no inline suggestions, purely agentic parallel execution.
Which models does Conductor support?
As of v0.56.0, Conductor supports Claude Code (Anthropic) and Codex (OpenAI). It uses whichever account or API key you are already logged into.
