Operating mode
Terminal-first
Agents that expose a command-line workflow for directing coding work from a shell.
AI coding guide
Open-source AI coding agents by operating mode
Start with how you want to work. Compare active open-source coding agents by terminal, editor, desktop and API surface, then open each product profile for deeper research.
6profiles available
This guide uses current Port107 product profiles for licensing, operating surfaces and lifecycle status. Products can appear in more than one operating mode.
Decision framework
What to compare
- 01Terminal workflows
- 02Editor and IDE integration
- 03Desktop applications
- 04Programmatic APIs
- 05License
- 06Lifecycle status
Current coverage
Research-backed profiles
Reviewed August 20, 2026
Choose the operating model before the product
Open-source coding agents span several interaction models. A terminal agent, editor-integrated agent and desktop agent can all be useful for different workflows, and some products support more than one surface. This guide organizes the current Port107 set by documented operating surface.
Operating mode
Editor and IDE
Agents that integrate directly into an editor or IDE workflow.
Operating mode
Desktop application
Agents with a separately documented desktop application surface.
Operating mode
Programmatic API
Agents with a documented API surface for programmatic use.
More products will appear here as their current operating surfaces are confirmed.
Current active set
One view of license and operating surface
Use the matrix to see where each product currently fits. A marked surface means the product profile contains a current documented relationship for that mode.
| Product | License | Terminal-first | Editor and IDE | Desktop application | Programmatic API |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilo Code | MIT License | ● | ● | — | — |
| Aider | Apache License 2.0 | ● | — | — | — |
| OpenCode | MIT License | ● | — | — | — |
| goose | Apache License 2.0 | ● | — | ● | — |
Lifecycle context
Historical products stay visible
Lifecycle matters when comparing open-source tools. Port107 keeps inactive products visible so an archived repository or discontinued extension is not mistaken for a current recommendation.
Classification note
Open source is one part of the workflow decision
A license is one decision input
MIT and Apache-2.0 licensing describe the source license tracked for these products. They do not, by themselves, establish privacy, local-only operation, security, ease of deployment or model-provider flexibility.
Multi-mode products appear more than once
A product can support terminal, IDE, desktop and API surfaces at the same time. The sections above are workflow lenses, not mutually exclusive product categories or quality scores.
Codex stays a broader product here
Port107 currently tracks Codex as one broader product. This guide does not split the Codex CLI repository into a second standalone open-source product, preserving the distinction between the broader product and one distribution surface.
Open the Codex profile →