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Joodi
Joodi

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If Claude Code is expensive or hard to access for you, try OpenCode

If Claude Code is expensive or hard to access for you, try OpenCode.

It’s an open-source AI coding agent that works in the terminal, desktop, and as a VS Code extension.

Free models available:

  1. DeepSeek V4 Flash Free (best option)
  2. MiMo v2.5 Free
  3. Nemotron 3 Ultra Free
  4. North Mini Code Free
  5. Big Pickle
  6. Ling-3.0-flash Free
  7. Laguna S 2.1 Free

These free models work well for most daily coding tasks. Note: They have daily usage limits (they reset every day).

How to install (Windows):
First, make sure Node.js is installed on your system.

Then run:

npm install -g opencode-ai
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After installation, run:

opencode
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You can also install the VS Code extension for a smoother experience.

There's also a desktop app. You can open your project directly in it and use the AI agent without relying on VS Code.

Like Claude Code, it guides you through actions by presenting options and asking for confirmation before executing them.

OpenCode lets you use free models or connect any API key you want. It’s flexible, open-source, and a solid alternative to Claude Code.

I tested it myself. Setup is easy and the free models are usable for real work.

Link: https://opencode.ai/

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