Conductor vs Crystal (2026): Parallel Claude Code Apps Compared
Compare Conductor and Crystal (now Nimbalyst) for running Claude Code and Codex in parallel Git worktrees, plus where Superset fits as an agent-agnostic alternative.
Conductor and Crystal are close competitors: both are desktop apps that run Claude Code and Codex in parallel Git worktrees, with in-app diff review and merge. The main differences are platform, licensing, and project direction. Conductor is a proprietary macOS app; Crystal is open source and cross-platform, and is now continuing under the name Nimbalyst. Neither is agent-agnostic, which is where a broader workspace like Superset comes in.
This page compares all three.
At a Glance
| Conductor | Crystal (now Nimbalyst) | Superset | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agents | Claude Code, Codex, Cursor | Claude Code, Codex | Any CLI agent (Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Cursor, and more) |
| Isolation | Git worktree per task | Git worktree per session | Git worktree per task |
| Platform | macOS only | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS now; Windows and Linux coming |
| License | Proprietary | Open source (MIT) | Source-available (ELv2) |
| Remote / cloud | Local | Local | Remote and cloud workspaces |
| Status | Active | Renamed to Nimbalyst | Active |
| Pricing | Free, bring your own subscription | Free (open source) | Free tier + Pro $20/seat/mo |
What Is Conductor?
Conductor is a native macOS app from Melty Labs for running Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor agents in parallel, each in an isolated Git worktree, with a review-and-merge and pull-request flow. It is Mac only, proprietary, and free, reusing your existing agent subscriptions.
What Is Crystal?
Crystal is an open-source Electron desktop app for running Claude Code and Codex in parallel Git worktrees, with per-iteration commits, in-app diff review, and integrated Git operations like rebase, squash, and merge. It is MIT licensed and cross-platform. Its maintainers have renamed the project and now direct active development to Nimbalyst, so treat Crystal as the legacy name for what is now Nimbalyst.
Conductor vs Crystal: Key Differences
Platform and License
Conductor is macOS only and proprietary. Crystal is open source (MIT) and runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. If you need Windows or Linux, or want open-source code, Crystal (Nimbalyst) is the fit; if you want a polished native Mac app and do not mind proprietary, Conductor is strong.
Agents
Conductor runs Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor. Crystal runs Claude Code and Codex. Both are focused on the popular agents rather than being agent-agnostic.
Project Direction
Conductor is actively developed under its name. Crystal has been renamed and its active development moved to Nimbalyst, so evaluate Nimbalyst's current state rather than the legacy Crystal repo.
Where Superset Fits
Both Conductor and Crystal are focused on a small set of agents. If you want the same worktree-per-task model but agent-agnostic, cross-platform, and extended with remote and cloud workspaces, Superset is the broader option. It runs Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Cursor, Gemini, Mistral Vibe, and custom agents, with review, an in-app browser, and MCP built in. See Superset vs Conductor and Superset vs Crystal.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose Conductor if you want a polished native macOS app for Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor.
- Choose Crystal (Nimbalyst) if you want an open-source, cross-platform app for Claude Code and Codex.
- Choose Superset if you want agent-agnostic worktree orchestration across many agents, plus remote and cloud workspaces.
Verdict: Conductor and Crystal are two takes on the same idea: a desktop app for parallel Claude Code and Codex in worktrees. Pick Conductor for a native Mac experience, Crystal (Nimbalyst) for open-source and cross-platform, and Superset if you want the broadest agent support and remote hosting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Conductor and Crystal both use Git worktrees?
Yes. Both give each agent session its own Git worktree and branch. Superset uses the same model with broader agent support.
Is Crystal still maintained?
Crystal has been renamed and its maintainers now direct active development to Nimbalyst. Evaluate Nimbalyst for current development.
Which runs on Windows and Linux?
Crystal (Nimbalyst) is cross-platform. Conductor is macOS only. Superset ships on macOS now with Windows and Linux planned.