Is there a completely free AI coding agent?

OpenCode includes free models, so you can start without paying anyone. Aider, Cline and Goose are free and open source, but you bring your own model key and pay that provider for usage.

No. Claude Code is not included in Claude's free plan. The Claude Code alternatives list covers free and open-source agents you can use instead.

The free ChatGPT plan includes limited Codex access. For more, see the Codex alternatives list.

Is there a free app to run several coding agents at once?

Harness by Autonomous, Yardlet and tabsh are free and open source and run the agents you already use side by side. The multi-agent coding list has more, including paid apps.

Which free tools are open source?

OpenCode, Aider, Cline, Goose, Harness, Yardlet, tabsh and Mudroom are open source. The open-source coding list has more, including OpenHands and Zed.

Best for free AI coding

Best free AI coding tools

Free here means the tool itself costs nothing. Most coding agents still need a model, so you either use a free model the tool includes, bring your own API key, or use an AI plan you already pay for. Every tool on this list has a free version or free core in its DreamBuilds listing, and paid extras are named.

10 tools. Ordered by how directly each listing matches this job, judged from its DreamBuilds description. This is an editorial order, not a benchmark or a test result.

OpenCode
Open-source coding agent for the terminal, a desktop app, and IDE extensions. Free models are included, or you can connect models from other providers.
Open-source agent for the terminal, a desktop app and IDE extensions. Free models are included, so it is the closest to free with no key at all.
FreeOfficial site
Aider
Open-source pair programmer in the terminal. You bring your own model key.
Open-source pair programmer in the terminal. The tool is free; you bring your own model key and pay that provider.
FreeOfficial site
Cline
Open-source coding agent for VS Code. You bring your own model key.
Open-source coding agent inside VS Code. Free, with your own model key.
FreeOfficial site
Goose
Open-source coding agent from Block. You bring your own model key.
Open-source coding agent from Block. Free, with your own model key.
FreeOfficial site
Harness by Autonomous
Open-source command center for coding agents. Run Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and more side by side, each on its own git worktree, across your Mac, Linux boxes and servers. The desktop app is free; agent plans are separate.
Free, open-source command center: runs Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and more side by side, each on its own git worktree.
FreeOfficial site
Yardlet
Free, open-source (MIT) native Mac app for the coding agents you already use. Runs Codex, Claude Code, OpenCode, Cursor Agent and more with their own sign-ins, in one sidebar with shared approval cards, diffs and a PR tab.
Free, open-source (MIT) Mac app that runs Codex, Claude Code, OpenCode, Cursor Agent and others with their own sign-ins.
Official site
tabsh
Free, open-source (MIT) browser tab for your shells and coding agents. A small local Rust daemon puts Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, OpenCode and other sessions on one board across projects. macOS and Linux.
Free, open-source (MIT) browser tab for your shells and coding agents, run by a small local daemon on macOS or Linux.
Official site
Mudroom
Free, open-source (MIT) Mac app and CLI that runs Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, opencode or Aider in a Linux micro-VM on a copy of your project, behind a network allowlist. Review the diff like a PR and apply only what you want.
Free, open-source (MIT) Mac app and CLI that runs an agent in a Linux micro-VM on a copy of your project, so it can't touch the real files. Early prototype.
Official site
Termy
Mac app that puts Claude Code and Codex in a terminal that drops down from the MacBook notch. Shows live agent status, lets you allow or deny commands from the notch and resumes sessions after a restart. Free; Pro $4.99 once.
Free Mac app that puts Claude Code and Codex in a terminal under the MacBook notch, with approvals from the notch. Pro is an optional $4.99 once.
Official site
Clayzo
Free animation engine for coding agents. Ask Claude Code, Codex or Cursor for motion graphics, product or web animations; the agent writes them in code, checks every frame and ships them to the web or Swift.
Free animation engine for coding agents: Claude Code, Codex or Cursor writes the animation in code and checks every frame.
Official site

FAQ

Is there a completely free AI coding agent?: OpenCode includes free models, so you can start without paying anyone. Aider, Cline and Goose are free and open source, but you bring your own model key and pay that provider for usage.
Is Claude Code free?: No. Claude Code is not included in Claude's free plan. The Claude Code alternatives list covers free and open-source agents you can use instead.
Is Codex free?: The free ChatGPT plan includes limited Codex access. For more, see the Codex alternatives list.
Is there a free app to run several coding agents at once?: Harness by Autonomous, Yardlet and tabsh are free and open source and run the agents you already use side by side. The multi-agent coding list has more, including paid apps.
Which free tools are open source?: OpenCode, Aider, Cline, Goose, Harness, Yardlet, tabsh and Mudroom are open source. The open-source coding list has more, including OpenHands and Zed.

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