Overview
OpenCode is a terminal-first AI coding agent built by the team behind SST, and by mid-2026 it had become the default open-source answer to Claude Code - over 160,000 GitHub stars, roughly 900 contributors, and a monthly user base in the millions. Unlike closed assistants, it connects to 75+ model providers through Models.dev, so you can run Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, or a fully local Ollama instance in the same session and even switch mid-task. It ships as a terminal TUI, a desktop app, and an IDE extension, with LSP support that feeds symbol resolution to the model and a multi-session mode that lets several agents work the same repo in parallel. Privacy is a first-class design goal: nothing is uploaded and no code or context is stored. For developers who want Claude Code-grade autonomy without a fixed subscription or Anthropic-only lock-in, OpenCode is the most complete free alternative available.
Key Features
- Provider-agnostic by design - Connect 75+ LLMs via Models.dev, including local Ollama and llama.cpp, and switch models mid-session without restarting.
- Multi-session parallelism - Run several agents on the same project at once, each in its own session, to tackle independent tasks concurrently.
- LSP-aware context - Automatically loads the right language server so the agent understands symbols, types, and references instead of guessing.
- Shareable session links - Generate a read-only link to any session for teammates to review or debug.
- GitHub Copilot / ChatGPT login - Reuse existing Copilot or ChatGPT Plus/Pro subscriptions so there is no second bill.
- Privacy-first runtime - No code or conversation context is stored or sent to a vendor, making it safe for sensitive codebases.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | For |
|---|---|---|
| Free (OSS) | $0 | Self-hosted, bring your own API key |
| Zen models | Usage-based | Curated, benchmarked coding models |
| Copilot / Plus login | Your existing subscription | Use GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT Plus/Pro accounts |
Comparison
vs. Claude Code: Both deliver autonomous multi-file edits and terminal control, but OpenCode removes the Anthropic-only lock-in and the fixed subscription - you bring any key, including a free local model. Choose Claude Code if your team is all-in on Claude and wants the tightest model integration; choose OpenCode when flexibility and cost control matter more.
vs. Cursor: Cursor is a polished editor-first experience, while OpenCode is terminal, desktop, and IDE-agnostic and fully open source. Power users who live in the shell prefer OpenCode; those who want an editor with AI baked in lean Cursor.
vs. Aider: Aider is git-native and brilliant for reviewable patches, but its UX is plainer. OpenCode adds a TUI, LSP awareness, and parallel sessions on top of similar bring-your-own-key freedom.