What OpenCode is
An open-source coding agent that runs in your terminal, reads and edits your files, runs commands, and stays model-agnostic.
An agent in the terminal
OpenCode is an open-source AI coding agent that runs as a terminal interface inside your project directory. It does not suggest the next line - it reads files, plans a change, edits several files at once, and runs shell commands such as your test suite.
- Model-agnostic: point it at a hosted provider or at a local model server, and switch per project.
- File-aware: it searches the repository itself instead of relying on whatever you paste into a chat box.
- Action-capable: it can run builds, tests and git commands, and show you the resulting diff.
- Configurable: project settings live in one JSON file, and standing rules live in a markdown file the agent reads every session.
{
"$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
"model": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5",
"permission": {
"edit": "ask",
"bash": "ask"
},
"mcp": {
"context7": { "type": "remote", "url": "https://mcp.context7.com/mcp" }
}
}Where it sits next to autocomplete
| Tool shape | What you give it | What you get back | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inline autocomplete | a cursor position | the next few lines | Boilerplate you could already write |
| Chat panel | a file, a paste, a question | an explanation or a snippet | Questions, drafts, code review |
| Agent in the terminal | a task stated in your repository | an edited working tree and a diff | Multi-file changes, migrations, test fixes |
💡
The important shift is that an agent changes files. Your safety net is therefore version control: commit before a large session and read the diff before you keep it.
FAQ
Is OpenCode tied to one model provider?
No. It is model-agnostic: you authenticate with whichever provider you prefer, and a local model server works too, which matters for private or offline code.
How is it different from inline completion?
Inline completion proposes text at a cursor. OpenCode is an agent: it plans and performs multi-step edits and command runs, then reports what it changed.
Related
Install and first session Workflow tips and limits
Last refreshed 2026-09-18.