shim-cli vs Inspector
Side-by-side comparison of features, pros & cons, pricing, and community votes (2026).
🏆 Inspector leads with 621 upvotes
See what your coding agent sends. Mask what you can.
shim-cli is an open-source tool designed for developers working with AI coding assistants like Claude Code, Codex, and GitHub Copilot. It functions as a local proxy and hook, providing transparency into what data and code snippets are sent during AI interactions. One of its standout features is the ability to mask sensitive information, such as secrets and personal data, before they reach the AI model, enhancing privacy and security. Additionally, shim-cli offers a session monitoring feature with 'shim watch,' which displays what data was sent and the associated costs, giving developers better control and insight into their AI workflows. Its open-source nature, combined with the absence of telemetry and account requirements, makes it especially appealing for privacy-conscious developers who value transparency and local control.
Pros
- Open-source and privacy-focused
- Masks secrets and personal data effectively
- Provides session monitoring and cost tracking
- No account or telemetry required
- Supports multiple AI coding tools
Cons
- Limited to specific AI coding tools, may not support all platforms
- Requires local setup and configuration
- Potential learning curve for non-technical users
Best for
- • Monitoring and debugging AI coding sessions
- • Masking sensitive data in AI outputs
- • Cost analysis for AI tool usage
- • Enhancing privacy in AI-assisted coding workflows
Pricing: Pricing not verified
Figma for Claude Code
Inspector reimagines the design-to-code workflow by integrating visual editing directly with AI-powered code generation. Designed for developers, designers, and product teams, it allows users to click on UI elements within a design interface, make visual adjustments, and have those changes automatically reflected in the underlying codebase. The tool connects seamlessly with popular AI agents like Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor, streamlining the often tedious handoff process between design and development. Its unique approach eliminates the need for manual code edits or back-and-forth communication, enabling rapid prototyping and iteration. By bridging the gap between visual design and code, Inspector enhances productivity and fosters a more collaborative workflow, making it ideal for teams seeking to accelerate their development cycles with AI-powered precision.
Pros
- Intuitive visual interface for code adjustments
- Seamless integration with popular AI coding agents
- Reduces manual coding and design handoff time
- Supports rapid prototyping and iteration
- Streamlines collaboration between designers and developers
Cons
- May have limitations with complex UI components
- Dependent on AI accuracy, which can vary
- Learning curve for users unfamiliar with AI-assisted editing
Best for
- • Quick UI tweaks during product development
- • Design validation and iteration without extensive code changes
- • Bridging the gap between design and development teams
- • Rapid prototyping of new features
Pricing: Likely operates on a freemium model, offering basic features for free with paid plans providing additional integrations and advanced editing capabilities; exact pricing details are not publicly specified.