gRPC CLI

Overview

gRPC CLI is ranked #14 of 23 in gRPC tools on Specifiction. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.

Compared on gRPC tools

Deployment model

desktopgrpc.github.io

Server reflection

Yesgrpc.github.io

Load testing

Nogrpc.github.io

Facts

Purpose

gRPC CLI is a command line tool included in the gRPC repository for interacting with gRPC servers.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Build requirement

The documentation says the tool must be built from source and describes it as not yet up to par in user-friendliness.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

RPC calls

It can send unary RPCs and supports attaching metadata and displaying received metadata.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Authentication

The documented core functionality includes handling common authentication to a server.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Service discovery

The tool can list server services and methods through server reflection.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Proto files

When server reflection is unavailable, local proto files can provide service definitions and request or response types.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Message formats

It can read proto requests in text or wire form, display proto responses as text, and write responses in wire form to a file.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Streaming

The documentation lists streaming RPC support as a desired capability, rather than among the tool’s current core functionality.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Build system

The documented build procedure uses CMake and the command make grpc_cli.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Platforms

The documentation mentions Windows, Mac, and Linux in its proto-path instructions.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Alternative tool

The documentation says grpcurl is better maintained than this tool in its current state.grpc.github.io · 4 Oct 2026

Where it ranks on Specifiction

• Best gRPC Tools in 2026#14 of 23

Sources

• grpc.github.io/grpc/core/md_doc_command_line_tool.html· checked 4 Oct 2026