---
title: "Root Use Cases"
description: "Common workflows for deterministic CLI tool management with Root."
---
## Safer alternative to Homebrew

Install CLI tools with a lockfile and an undo button. When a tool update breaks your workflow, roll back instead of debugging your global PATH.

```bash
root install jq
root verify jq
# something broke?
root rollback --last
```

## Reproducible dev machines

Share `root.lock` across your team so everyone runs the same tool versions:

```bash
# On machine A
root install ripgrep fd bat
git add root.lock Rootfile

# On machine B
root restore --lock ./root.lock
```

## AI coding agent tooling

Agents can install and verify tools without polluting global PATH. Use `--json` output for structured automation:

```bash
root plan install terraform --json
root install terraform --json
root verify terraform --json
```

## Agent config portability

Transfer Codex, OpenCode, or Claude Code working configuration between machines — same agent, credential-free:

```bash
root agent-bundle export codex
root agent-bundle plan ./bundle.tar.gz
root agent-bundle apply ./bundle.tar.gz
```

## Isolated task execution

Run tasks in Docker sandboxes without affecting your host environment:

```bash
root sandbox create my-task
root sandbox run my-task -- npm test
root sandbox destroy my-task
```

## Local model management

Declared Ollama models are pull-and-verify records, not a bit-pin:

```bash
root plan models
root models pull
```

## Resume in another harness

`root resume --with codex` (or `claude` / `opencode`) assembles a continuation package from recorded work. It does not copy a transcript.

```bash
root resume --with codex
```

## Hand a route to a harness

`root event pull --harness` returns deliveries already handed to that harness. It does not start an agent.

```bash
root event pull --harness codex
```

## Pair devices over a folder

`root device pair` and `root checkpoint-sync` exchange encrypted checkpoint references only. Git still carries source.

```bash
root device pair
root checkpoint-sync
```

## Record a payment intent

`root finance intent` records a payment intent. Approve marks the record approved. It does not move money.

```bash
root finance intent
```