Code with AI in your terminal — privately, for free, with no API key or subscription required.
OUR PICK
Our pick: Qwen 2.5 Coder 7B + OpenCode
For most developers, Qwen 2.5 Coder 7B running through OpenCode gives you a capable terminal coding agent — autocomplete, code generation, and debugging — entirely on your own machine. If you're on a lighter device, Qwen 2.5 Coder 1.5B still handles autocomplete and small edits well.
WHY REPLACE CLAUDE CODE
🔒
Your code never leaves your machine
Claude Code sends every file and prompt to Anthropic's servers. Local coding agents process everything on-device. Your proprietary code stays private.
💸
No API costs or subscriptions
Claude Code requires a paid Anthropic API key or a Max subscription. Local code models are free after a one-time download.
✈️
Works offline — code anywhere
On a plane, on a train, or behind a corporate firewall — local coding agents work without internet. No API calls, no latency.
HONEST TRADEOFFS
✅Complete privacy — code never leaves your device
✅Free forever — no API key or subscription
✅Works fully offline
✅Supports 75+ model providers including local models
⚠️Smaller local models are less capable than Claude Opus/Sonnet for complex multi-file refactors
⚠️No built-in web search or documentation lookup
⚠️Requires a reasonably modern device with 8GB+ RAM for best results
⚠️Initial setup takes 10-15 minutes
WHICH MODEL TO USE
Qwen 2.5 Coder 0.5B477 MB
QUALITY
SPEED
MIN DEVICE
Any device
BEST FOR
Basic autocomplete on weak hardware
Qwen 2.5 Coder 1.5B1.1 GB
QUALITY
SPEED
MIN DEVICE
Any modern laptop/phone
BEST FOR
Autocomplete, small code edits
Qwen 2.5 Coder 3B2.0 GB
QUALITY
SPEED
MIN DEVICE
8GB+ RAM laptop
BEST FOR
Code generation, editing, explanation
DeepSeek Coder 6.7B3.8 GB
QUALITY
SPEED
MIN DEVICE
16GB+ RAM laptop
BEST FOR
Debugging, generation, multi-language
Qwen 2.5 Coder 7B4.4 GBOUR PICK
QUALITY
SPEED
MIN DEVICE
16GB+ RAM laptop
BEST FOR
Complex coding, refactoring, analysis
BEST APPS TO RUN IT
OpenCodeOUR PICK
macOS, Windows, Linux
Open-source terminal coding agent. Supports 75+ LLM providers including local models via Ollama. Free, private, multi-session.
Ollama + editor plugin
macOS, Windows, Linux
Run Ollama as a backend and connect it to VS Code or Neovim plugins for inline code completion.
LM Studio
macOS, Windows, Linux
Desktop app with an OpenAI-compatible server. Point any coding tool at it for local inference.
CAN YOUR DEVICE HANDLE IT?
Excellent
MacBook Pro M4 Pro (36GB)Runs Qwen Coder 7B at full speed. Handles complex multi-file tasks.
Excellent
MacBook Air M3/M4 (16GB)Qwen Coder 7B fits comfortably. Fast autocomplete and generation.
Good
MacBook Air M2 (8GB)Qwen Coder 3B runs well. 7B models may be tight.
Excellent
Gaming PC (RTX 4070)All code models fly with GPU acceleration.
Limited
iPhone 16 ProQwen Coder 1.5B for basic autocomplete. Not ideal for heavy coding.
Good
Steam Deck OLEDQwen Coder 3B works. Useful for coding on the go.