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OpenCode.ai: The Open Source AI Coding Agent

3 min read

In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI coding assistants, OpenCode.ai stands out as a powerful, open-source alternative designed for developers who value flexibility, privacy, and control. Whether you're a command-line warrior or an IDE power user, OpenCode adapts to your workflow.

What is OpenCode.ai?

OpenCode.ai is an open-source AI coding agent that acts as a collaborative partner in your development process. Unlike typical autocomplete extensions, OpenCode is a full-fledged agent capable of planning, executing, and iterating on tasks.

It is available in multiple forms to suit different preferences:

  • Terminal User Interface (TUI): A robust, native interface directly in your terminal.
  • Desktop Application: A standalone app for a focused experience.
  • IDE Extension: Integrated directly into VS Code and Cursor.

Key Features

1. Massive Model Support

One of OpenCode's strongest selling points is its versatility. It supports over 75+ Large Language Models (LLMs).

  • Cloud Providers: OpenAI (GPT-4o), Anthropic (Claude 4.5 Sonnet, Claude 4.5 Opus), Google (Gemini 3 Pro).
  • Local Models: Run privacy-focused models locally using Ollama or LM Studio.

2. Plan & Build Modes

OpenCode introduces a structured workflow with two distinct modes:

  • Plan Mode: The agent analyzes your request and codebase to propose a detailed implementation plan. You can review and refine this plan before any code is touched.
  • Build Mode: Once approved, the agent switches to execution, writing code, creating files, and running commands to bring the plan to life.

3. Multi-Session Management

Complex projects often require juggling multiple tasks. OpenCode allows you to run parallel sessions, enabling you to debug an issue in one session while refactoring a component in another context, all within the same project.

4. Context Awareness

OpenCode isn't just generating snippets; it understands your project. With features like auto-context summarization, it manages token limits efficiently, ensuring the AI maintains context even during long, complex coding sessions. It also integrates with Language Server Protocols (LSP) to get precise information about your code's structure.

Why Choose OpenCode?

  • Open Source: Verify the code, contribute features, and own your tools.
  • Privacy First: Use local models to keep your code on your machine.
  • Extensible: A plugin system allows you to extend capabilities with web search, sandboxing, and more.

Getting Started

Getting started with OpenCode is straightforward. You can install it via your package manager or download the desktop app.

bash
1# Example installation (check official docs for latest)
2npm install -g opencode

Visit opencode.ai to learn more and join the community of developers building the future of open-source AI coding.

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