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Open-source alternatives to Claude Code

Claude Code does 6 jobs: edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent, run commands and tests, use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains, connect tools and data through MCP, write commits and pull requests, run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions). Most projects replace one or two of them, so pick the job you actually need.

Quick answer

Facts checked 21 Oct 2026

We track 10 open-source alternatives to Claude Code, but none currently has confirmed commercial use, local running and no paid services together. Cline, goose and OpenHands cover all 6 Claude Code jobs.

Compare OpenCode, Aider, Cline with Claude Code →Jobs covered, cost, GitHub activity and star growth, side by side.

Your requirements

Where will it run?
Can I use it commercially?

Checks code and model licences. Includes projects with conditions, such as share-alike or revenue limits, marked amber. Unknowns are hidden.

Paid services needed?
What hardware do you have?
Operating system

10 projects

Aider

Aider-AI/aider

Free, open-source AI pair programmer for the terminal that edits code in your Git repo using cloud model keys or local models.

Replaces Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent + Run commands and tests + Write commits and pull requests + Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partly) Not: use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains, connect tools and data through MCP
Use it instead of paying for Claude Code?
Personal use
Confirmed: Yes
For a business
Confirmed: Yes
Runs locally
Confirmed: Yes
Commercial use
Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0
Paid services
Partial: Optional only
Hardware
Unknown: Unknown
Setup
Confirmed: Easy
7 of 8 facts sourced · checked today GitHub ↗ View details

Cline

cline/cline

Open-source coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains, the terminal and a desktop app, using your own model keys or local models via Ollama or LM Studio.

Replaces Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent + Run commands and tests + Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains + Connect tools and data through MCP + Write commits and pull requests + Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partly)
Use it instead of paying for Claude Code?
Personal use
Confirmed: Yes
For a business
Confirmed: Yes
Runs locally
Confirmed: Yes
Commercial use
Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0
Paid services
Partial: Optional only
Hardware
Unknown: Unknown
Setup
Confirmed: Easy
7 of 8 facts sourced · checked today GitHub ↗ View details

OpenAI Codex CLI

openai/codex

OpenAI's open-source terminal coding agent; sign in with a ChatGPT plan or API key, or run local models through Ollama or LM Studio.

Replaces Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent + Run commands and tests + Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains + Connect tools and data through MCP + Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partly) Not: write commits and pull requests
Use it instead of paying for Claude Code?
Personal use
Confirmed: Yes
For a business
Confirmed: Yes
Runs locally
Confirmed: Yes
Commercial use
Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0
Paid services
Partial: Optional only
Hardware
Unknown: Unknown
Setup
Confirmed: Easy
7 of 8 facts sourced · checked today GitHub ↗ View details

Continue

continuedev/continue

Open-source coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal that works with your own API keys or local models via Ollama. No longer maintained.

Replaces Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent + Run commands and tests + Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains + Connect tools and data through MCP + Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partly) Not: write commits and pull requests
Use it instead of paying for Claude Code?
Personal use
Confirmed: Yes
For a business
Confirmed: Yes
Runs locally
Confirmed: Yes
Commercial use
Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0
Paid services
Partial: Optional only
Hardware
Confirmed: See details
Setup
Confirmed: Easy
8 of 8 facts sourced · checked today GitHub ↗ View details

Gemini CLI

google-gemini/gemini-cli

Google's open-source terminal coding agent for Gemini models; since June 2026 it needs a paid Gemini API key or a Code Assist licence.

Replaces Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent + Run commands and tests + Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains + Connect tools and data through MCP + Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partly) Not: write commits and pull requests
Use it instead of paying for Claude Code?
Personal use
Partial: Partly Needs something paid: Paid Gemini API key, Vertex AI, or a Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise licence
For a business
Partial: Partly
Runs locally
Confirmed: Yes
Commercial use
Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0
Paid services
No: Required
Hardware
Confirmed: CPU works
Setup
Confirmed: Easy
8 of 8 facts sourced · checked today GitHub ↗ View details

goose

aaif-goose/goose

Open-source AI agent with a desktop app and CLI that runs on your machine, connects to MCP extensions and works with any model, including Ollama.

Replaces Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent + Run commands and tests + Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains + Connect tools and data through MCP + Write commits and pull requests + Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partly)
Use it instead of paying for Claude Code?
Personal use
Confirmed: Yes
For a business
Confirmed: Yes
Runs locally
Confirmed: Yes
Commercial use
Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0
Paid services
Partial: Optional only
Hardware
Unknown: Unknown
Setup
Confirmed: Easy
7 of 8 facts sourced · checked today GitHub ↗ View details

Kilo Code

Kilo-Org/kilocode

MIT-licensed coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal, with 500+ cloud models at provider rates or local models via Ollama.

Replaces Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent + Run commands and tests + Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains + Connect tools and data through MCP + Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partly) Not: write commits and pull requests
Use it instead of paying for Claude Code?
Personal use
Confirmed: Yes
For a business
Confirmed: Yes
Runs locally
Confirmed: Yes
Commercial use
Confirmed: Yes · MIT
Paid services
Partial: Optional only
Hardware
Confirmed: See details
Setup
Confirmed: Easy
8 of 8 facts sourced · checked today GitHub ↗ View details

OpenCode

anomalyco/opencode Actively maintained: 100+ people committing, active 12 of the last 12 weeks.
★ 219k active today

Open-source AI coding agent for the terminal, with a desktop app and IDE extension, that works with any model provider or a local model.

Replaces Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent + Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains + Connect tools and data through MCP + Write commits and pull requests + Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partly) Not: run commands and tests
Use it instead of paying for Claude Code?
Personal use
Confirmed: Yes
For a business
Partial: Partly Model weights: No single bundled model licence. OpenCode connects to models/providers; their individual…
Runs locally
Confirmed: Yes
Commercial use
Confirmed: Yes · MIT
Paid services
Partial: Optional only
Hardware
Unknown: Unknown
Setup
Confirmed: Easy
7 of 8 facts sourced · checked today GitHub ↗ View details

OpenHands

OpenHands/OpenHands

Self-hosted control center and CLI for AI coding agents, running OpenHands or Claude Code and Codex with any model, including local LLMs.

Replaces Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent + Run commands and tests + Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains + Connect tools and data through MCP + Write commits and pull requests + Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partly)
Use it instead of paying for Claude Code?
Personal use
Confirmed: Yes
For a business
Confirmed: Yes
Runs locally
Confirmed: Yes
Commercial use
Confirmed: Yes · MIT
Paid services
Partial: Optional only
Hardware
Partial: See details
Setup
Confirmed: Medium
8 of 8 facts sourced · checked today GitHub ↗ View details

Zed

zed-industries/zed

Fast open-source code editor with a built-in AI agent, MCP support and edit prediction; use your own API keys, Ollama or LM Studio, or Zed's paid models.

Replaces Run commands and tests + Connect tools and data through MCP + Write commits and pull requests (partly) Not: edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent, use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains, run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions)
Use it instead of paying for Claude Code?
Personal use
Confirmed: Yes
For a business
Confirmed: Yes
Runs locally
Confirmed: Yes
Commercial use
Confirmed: Yes · GPL-3.0-or-later
Paid services
Partial: Optional only
Hardware
Confirmed: See details
Setup
Confirmed: Easy
8 of 8 facts sourced · checked today GitHub ↗ View details

Common questions about Claude Code alternatives

Is there a free, open-source alternative to Claude Code?

Yes. OpenCode, OpenHands, Cline, goose and Continue are free to download and run on your own computer without paid API keys. OpenHands, Cline and goose cover every job we list for Claude Code; the others cover only part of it, so check which job you need.

Can I do edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent locally without a Claude Code subscription?

Yes, with OpenCode (MIT), Continue (Apache-2.0) and Gemini CLI (Apache-2.0). Check the hardware notes and licence conditions on each page before you start.

Can I do run commands and tests locally without a Claude Code subscription?

Yes, with Continue (Apache-2.0), Gemini CLI (Apache-2.0) and Kilo Code (MIT). Check the hardware notes and licence conditions on each page before you start.

Which Claude Code alternatives can I use commercially?

Confirmed: Aider, Cline, OpenAI Codex CLI, Continue, Gemini CLI, goose, Kilo Code, OpenCode, OpenHands and Zed. This is not legal advice; read each licence.

Does any open-source project replace all of Claude Code?

Cline, goose and OpenHands cover every job we list for Claude Code.

Guides

Local AI coding agents and app builders →Open-source AI coding agents and app builders that work with a local model through Ollama or LM Studio, so there's no API bill. Sourced and dated.

Open-source alternatives to Claude Code and Cursor →Free, open-source alternatives to Claude Code and Cursor, compared on licence, local model support, platforms and setup. A source and a date for every fact.

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