Ember CLI is a Node.js-based command-line interface tool designed for application programming in Ember.js. Since its creation, this tool has become the preferred method to create Ember applications.

Simply put, Ember CLI makes starting a new Ember application easy. In other frameworks, you might need to learn gulp or grunt as your task runners. In Ember CLI, this is all built-in for you. Having Ember CLI in the Ember.js ecosystem is a game changer and makes this framework stand out above the rest.

Ember CLI handles testing, compiling, and upgrading, and even has a built-in web server. Ember CLI not only generates boilerplate code for you, but it also integrates nicely with many testing frameworks. It has a robust add-on system that extends the functionality well beyond its current capabilities.