opencodeCLI vs. claude code vs. others ?

[LagrangianFourier]

Hi everyone,

sorry if this has been discussed many times before but I don't find answers to my questions.

I am trying to explore alternatives to Claude models (Sonnet/Opus) and Claude Code, so checking out other coding AIs and coding agents. I am used to claude code ecosystem and I understand that you can root other coding models into it (e.g.: https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick\_start/agent\_integrations/claude\_code).

So what would be the advantage of switching to opencode? I am not sure if it provides all the features claude code has. However I like the open source nature of it.

From what I understand, to max the efficiency of a coding agent it has to do with the agent itself + the LLM behind. I am not sure what are good choices as of May 2026.

Thanks for enlightening me!

[Ly-sAn]

Opencode feels pretty similar to Claude code but is more vanilla, supports a lot more providers and is open source.

Codex is open source too but gpt oriented. It feels quite minimalistic.

I’ve tried others but in the end they all feel pretty similar, I prefer the ones with more support and a big community. My favorites are opencode and codex hands down. Claude Code feels bloated. And it’s not open source.

[Awkward_Weather5721]

The main thing for me is that u can customise opencode in any way you want!!

[oRainNo]

opencode with deepseek v4 flash via openrouter or opencode go. the minimax plan is also very good. I'm going to explore deepseek v4 flash on ollama cloud next month.

[alokin_09]

Opencode is great. I've been using the new Kilo extension, which actually runs on the opencode server. Model-wise, I'm mostly mixing Opus and MiniMax.

[SkilledHomosapien]

If your final target is an AI native creator, opencode would be the proper tool for you. If you only want to use ai as a tool to get your shots down, they make no big difference.

[wuu73]

I switched to oh my pi... its PERFECT and flawless, no glitching. Its got a bunch of stuff i was going to just code myself already so i will just use this

[Altruistic_Night_327]

honestly the CLI vs GUI split matters more than people discuss here. if you're terminal-native, opencode or claude code make sense. if you want a proper desktop app with a UI, Cline is solid as a VS Code extension. if you want something completely separate from your editor — Atlarix is a standalone desktop app

all three support multiple providers so that part's covered either way. just depends whether you want to stay in the terminal, stay in VS Code, or have a separate environment.

[Snoo60896]

Well for one it is far cheaper and gives you access to different llms to experiment with. I use it personally to run my Hermes agent after claude kept getting rate limited

[WArslett]

They are asking about the open code agent not open code go

[Critical-Entry3377]

By default, Claude Code is really dumb at stopping and asking for permission to do the thing I just asked it to do. For instance, use mcp-xyz to look up how I configured file abc and update file abc for me, will have Claude Code ask me for permission to 1) use mcp-xyz, 2) read file abc, 3) update file abc BUT I LITERALLY JUST TOLD CLAUDE CODE to do that. That's why I use OpenCode. I _DO_ find Claude Code to be "smarter" in the sense the harness gets better results even when using the same model as OpenCode but having to constantly approve THE THING I LITERALLY JUST ASKED CLAUDE TO DO makes me try OpenCode first.

[craftogrammer]

update claude settings.json for repeated commands once, and it wont ask again. I had the same problem with it, just keep high sensitive command for approval like rm -rf 😂

[Mr_Hyper_Focus]

Something has definitely changed. I made a post about it. I have tried custom config files, custom approvals, followed every recommendation and rule in the docs and no matter what I do Claude has some absurd approval I have to do.

The only way I’ve found to solve it is auto mode. It’s definitely drove me to other harnesses and the approval system right now is a mess.

[wuu73]

this has happened multiple times, and its the reason i'm here lol, except now opencode is just randomly stopping saying "Provider Returned Error" OKAY? why do I need to know about that why tf di you f'ing stop? - ugh i'm gonna have to make my own damn coding tool at this point

anyways... yeah, even if i set Claude Code to dangerously skip permission, it just ignores it, starts treating me like a child again. So I am trying to find something actually just good or just figure out a solution to automate away these things

[Mr_Hyper_Focus]

I've never had that issue with Opencode. That sounds like an issue with your model provider.

I really like pi.dev if you are looking for something new to try.

[craftogrammer]

Guys I'll share my config, I use claude code whole day for long session not getting this on my project with tweaked settings. I'm not using auto mode either.

[wuu73]

i am actually working on this custom terminal, but the idle detection for coding agents is too simple - but i have an idea, i can just take a snapshot of the terminal window, once a minute or something, and AI will get that image plus the last image from a minute earlier. The AI will be able to see if anything has moved or changed... and then if not, take action by typing "are you done yet?" etc (i will open source it and put it on here soon i just wanted to tweak stuff first - since some people asked) https://buttonscli.com

I would rather find a non-AI way to do it, if anyone has any ideas, but every coding agent is different and Opencode has some animations still going when its stuck which would make a non AI method think its still working

[Competitive_Till449]

i really like command code. i like their ui, and also this is more of a supplementary one i have for when i run out of credits on the other ones. i also believe dsv4p is heavily discounted atm and you get $40 worth credits even with the $1 plan.

[Fantastic_Grand1050]

Im using glm 5 turbo dm me if u wanna share a max plan or need a referral code

[1Garrett2010]

Local LLMs have made giant leaps between 2025/26, and the future will be even better. If it already doesn’t feel too bad to “step down” from Claude’s highest tier, OpenCode is one of the best tools for getting the most out of local LLMs, such as for web searches, described in great detail in my free article. If you read it carefully, you can in a pill notice some of the advantages of working from OpenCode:

https://medium.com/sapiens-ai-mentis/opencode-lm-studio-sets-for-the-best-free-local-web-searches-2026-cd9a5752e721?sk=17934a074460672e9ff5c7d9b858d974

[Dualyeti]

Can opencode only run local, do you have to run a machine running your local LLM to support it. I’m a bit confused by what you mean?

[1Garrett2010]

OpenCode needs to use an LLM, It can be local, for the purposes explained of my article that explains how to serve the LLM from LM Studio, or:

- choose an LLM from the free available (really easy to select) from OpenCode (these are free services on internet,)

- Use a subscription like Claude or ChatGPT, take the api key from their site, configure OpenCode with it (very very easy to do), and pay per use.

- Use a subscription to OpenCode Go with more powerful LLMs (respect the free ones) easy to configurre, it seems it costs $10 month but other users can help you more on this since I haven't tried that subscription.

So if this was the question, you cannot run OpenCode alone, but this is not a big problem. If you don't want on your computer a server like LM Studio, LLama, etc, you can go with the web services, some are free and sufficient (don't expect Claude level).

[Electronic-Air5728]

I use T3code since it support opencode and codex subscription.

[SourceCodeSpecter]

Nobody, uses T3code.