Guide
Local AI coding agents and app builders
Every tool on this page documents support for a model running on your own computer, usually through Ollama or LM Studio. Nothing is sent to a paid API and there is no per-request cost.
The trade-off is hardware and quality. Larger local models need a strong GPU or plenty of memory, and small ones make more mistakes than the best hosted models. Each row links to the setup and hardware facts we checked.
Quick answer
Facts checked 21 Oct 2026We track 15 open-source AI coding tools that work with a local model, each checked for licence, commercial use, hardware, paid services and setup. OpenCode, OpenDesign, OpenUI and Screenshot to Code (and 8 more) run on your own machine, allow commercial use and need no paid service (you still choose a model: a paid API key or a free local one). Easiest to set up: OpenCode, OpenDesign and Dyad (and 6 more).
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Compared
Best ranked first (stars, recent activity and how many facts we could source). Unknown means we found no source, never a yes.
| Project | Runs locally | Commercial use | Paid services | Setup | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenCodeOpen-source AI coding agent for the terminal, with a desktop app and IDE extension, that works with any model provider or a local model. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · MIT | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Easy | ★ 219k |
| OpenDesignLocal-first desktop workspace where a coding agent or your own model key turns a brief into web prototypes, slides, images and motion graphics. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0 | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Easy | ★ 103k |
| AgenticSeekLocal Manus-style agent that browses the web, writes and runs code and plans multi-step tasks, built for local models via Ollama or LM Studio. | Confirmed: Yes | Partial: Conditions · GPL-3.0-only | Confirmed: None required | Confirmed: Medium | ★ 28k |
| DyadFree desktop AI app builder that writes and runs JavaScript web apps on your computer, using your own model keys or local models. | Confirmed: Yes | Partial: Conditions · Apache-2.0 | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Easy | ★ 22k |
| OpenUIDescribe a UI in words and see it rendered live as HTML, then convert it to React, Svelte or Web Components. UI only, no backend. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0 | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Medium | ★ 23k |
| Screenshot to CodeTurns screenshots, mockups, Figma designs or screen recordings into front-end code (HTML/Tailwind, React, Vue and more) using cloud AI models. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · MIT | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Medium | ★ 81k |
| OpenManusTerminal-based general agent from the MetaGPT team that plans tasks, browses the web and runs tools with your own model keys or a local Ollama model. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · MIT | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Medium | ★ 59k |
| bolt.diySelf-hosted, open-source version of Bolt.new that builds and runs full-stack web apps in the browser with 22+ model providers, including Ollama. | Confirmed: Yes | Partial: Conditions · MIT | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Medium | ★ 20k |
| Kilo CodeMIT-licensed coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains and the terminal, with 500+ cloud models at provider rates or local models via Ollama. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · MIT | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Easy | ★ — |
| OpenHandsSelf-hosted control center and CLI for AI coding agents, running OpenHands or Claude Code and Codex with any model, including local LLMs. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · MIT | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Medium | ★ — |
| ZedFast 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. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · GPL-3.0-or-later | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Easy | ★ — |
| AiderFree, open-source AI pair programmer for the terminal that edits code in your Git repo using cloud model keys or local models. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0 | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Easy | ★ — |
| ClineOpen-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. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0 | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Easy | ★ — |
| OpenAI Codex CLIOpenAI's open-source terminal coding agent; sign in with a ChatGPT plan or API key, or run local models through Ollama or LM Studio. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0 | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Easy | ★ — |
| gooseOpen-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. | Confirmed: Yes | Confirmed: Yes · Apache-2.0 | Partial: Optional only | Confirmed: Easy | ★ — |
Common questions
Which free tools can stand in for Claude Code or Cursor with a local model?
OpenCode, OpenDesign, AgenticSeek, Dyad, OpenUI, Screenshot to Code, OpenManus and bolt.diy (and 7 more) document support for a local model (for example Ollama or LM Studio), so you can work without a paid API key. Small local models make more mistakes than the best hosted ones, so expect to check their work more often.
Can these run with no paid service at all?
Yes. AgenticSeek needs no paid service at all. OpenCode, OpenDesign, Dyad, OpenUI, Screenshot to Code and OpenManus (and 8 more) are free to run, with paid services (usually a hosted model API) optional. The software is free; the AI model is the usual cost. A local model through Ollama or LM Studio costs nothing per request but needs a capable computer.
Can I use them commercially?
Confirmed: OpenCode (MIT), OpenDesign (Apache-2.0), OpenUI (Apache-2.0), Screenshot to Code (MIT), OpenManus (MIT), Kilo Code (MIT), OpenHands (MIT), Zed (GPL-3.0-or-later), Aider (Apache-2.0), Cline (Apache-2.0), OpenAI Codex CLI (Apache-2.0) and goose (Apache-2.0). With conditions: AgenticSeek, Dyad and bolt.diy. This is not legal advice; read each licence.
Which run on macOS?
OpenCode, OpenDesign, AgenticSeek, Dyad, OpenUI, OpenManus, bolt.diy and Kilo Code (and 6 more) are documented to run on macOS. The others are web apps, servers or unconfirmed; check each page.
Which run on Linux?
OpenCode, AgenticSeek, Screenshot to Code, OpenManus, bolt.diy, Kilo Code, OpenHands and Zed (and 3 more) are documented to run on Linux. The others are web apps, servers or unconfirmed; check each page.
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