Jinn vs JunieUpdated 2026-03-17

SUMMARY

Jinn (CLI) uses yaml configuration while Junie (Agent) uses markdown. They differ on 5 of 11 compared features. Both tools provide AI-assisted development but take different approaches to project configuration.

FEATURE COMPARISON

FeatureJinnJunie
Config formatyamlmarkdown
Hierarchy support
Global config
Project config
Subdirectory scoping
File inclusion / imports
Ignore file
IDE integrationCLIAgent
Schema / structureunknownFree-form (Markdown)
Git committed
EncodingUTF-8UTF-8

KEY DIFFERENCES

1. Config format

Jinn: yaml. Junie: markdown.

2. Global config

Jinn: Supported. Junie: Not supported.

3. Project config

Jinn: Not supported. Junie: Supported.

4. IDE integration

Jinn: CLI. Junie: Agent.

5. Schema / structure

Jinn: unknown. Junie: Free-form (Markdown).

WHICH SHOULD I USE?

Recommendation

Choose based on your IDE/CLI preference. If you use Jinn, configure config.yaml. If you use Junie, configure .junie/guidelines.md. Many projects include config files for multiple tools so each team member can use their preferred editor.

PORTABILITY TIP

sync-instructions.sh
bash
# Maintain a single source of truth:
cp AI-INSTRUCTIONS.md CLAUDE.md
cp AI-INSTRUCTIONS.md .cursorrules
cp AI-INSTRUCTIONS.md AGENTS.md

SEE ALSO

agentconfig.ing2026-03-17COMPARE(1)