# IBM Bob

IBM Bob is an AI SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle) partner that augments your existing workflows. Bob helps you understand, plan, improve, and work confidently with real codebases—while offering proactive insights that keep you in control at every step.

## Main Pages

- [Home](https://bob.ibm.com/): Overview of IBM Bob and its capabilities
- [Documentation](https://bob.ibm.com/docs): Complete documentation for IBM Bob and Bob Shell
- [Download](https://bob.ibm.com/download): Download and install IBM Bob
- [Releases](https://bob.ibm.com/releases): View all Bob releases
- [Pricing](https://bob.ibm.com/pricing): Subscription plans and pricing information
- [Trial](https://bob.ibm.com/trial): Start your free trial
- [Admin](https://bob.ibm.com/admin): Administer your Bob account and subscription
- [Login](https://bob.ibm.com/login): Login to bob.ibm.com

Important notes:

- Available as Bob IDE and Bob Shell (terminal)
- Both tools provide the same powerful AI assistance, optimized for their respective environments
- Uses consumption-based billing with Bobcoins (1 Bobcoin = $0.50 USD)

## What you can do with Bob

### IBM Bob (IDE)
- **Generate Code**: Turn natural language into working code
- **Code Completion**: Single-line and multi-line autocompletions in your editor
- **Refactor & Debug**: Clean up and fix existing code automatically
- **Write & Update Docs**: Generate or update documentation from code
- **Answer Questions**: Ask about your codebase and get explanations
- **Automate Tasks**: Streamline repetitive workflows and boilerplate
- **Create Files & Projects**: Scaffold new files and entire projects intelligently

### Bob Shell (Command Line)
- **Automate Scripts**: Generate and optimize shell scripts for complex automation tasks
- **Execute Commands**: Run terminal commands with AI-powered assistance and validation
- **CI/CD Integration**: Integrate Bob into continuous integration and deployment pipelines
- **Generate Documentation**: Create comprehensive documentation for scripts and workflows
- **Troubleshoot Issues**: Debug command failures and resolve terminal-based problems
- **Analyze Logs**: Parse and analyze log files to identify issues and patterns
- **Scaffold Projects**: Initialize new projects and generate boilerplate code from the terminal

## Getting Started

- [Install Bob IDE](https://bob.ibm.com/docs/ide/getting-started/install): Install Bob extension for VS Code
- [Install Bob Shell](https://bob.ibm.com/docs/shell/getting-started/install-and-setup): Set up Bob Shell for terminal and automation

## Key Capabilities

### Specialized Modes

Bob adapts to your specific needs with purpose-built modes:
- **Code mode**: Write, modify, and refactor code with precision
- **Ask mode**: Get answers and explanations about your codebase
- **Plan mode**: Plan and design before implementation
- **Advanced mode**: Access extended capabilities including MCP and browser tools
- **Orchestrator mode**: Coordinate complex multi-step projects across specialties

### Powerful Tools

- **File Access**: Read and write files directly within your project
- **Command Execution**: Run terminal or shell commands from within the agent
- **Browser Control**: Control and automate web browser actions
- **External Tools via MCP**: Use external tools through the Model Context Protocol framework

### MCP (Model Context Protocol)

Extend Bob's capabilities with custom tools:
- Connect to databases and APIs
- Access specialized development resources
- Integrate with your organization's internal systems
- Create custom workflows for your specific needs

## Documentation

- [Bob IDE Documentation](https://bob.ibm.com/docs/ide): Complete guide to using Bob in your IDE
- [Bob Shell Documentation](https://bob.ibm.com/docs/shell): Complete guide to using Bob in terminal and CI/C