Aider
Aider-AI/aider
Terminal AI pair programmer that edits files in your git repo and auto-commits changes; works with most cloud and local models.
python -m pip install aider-install && aider-installOpen-source alternatives to Claude Code
6 open-source terminal coding agents you can use instead of Claude Code. Self-described alternatives are labelled separately from our own picks.
Our picks
Editorial picks: open-source projects that do a similar job to Claude Code.
goose
aaif-goose/goose
Extensible local AI agent (CLI + desktop) that can install, run, edit and test code with any LLM and MCP extensions.
curl -fsSL https://github.com/aaif-goose/goose/releases/download/stable/download_cli.sh | bash
Qwen Code
QwenLM/qwen-code
Open-source terminal coding agent from the Qwen team, tuned for Qwen coder models but usable with other OpenAI-compatible APIs.
npm install -g @qwen-code/qwen-code@latestAlso listed on AIUseFlow
OpenHandsBuild and run AI coding agents with OpenHands.OpenCodeOpenCode - The open source coding agent.ClineOpen-source AI coding agent with Plan/Act modes, MCP integration, and terminal-first workflows.
Stars, licences and last-commit dates come from the GitHub REST API, fetched 17 Oct 2026. Archived repos, repos with no commit in 12 months and non-open licences are excluded. Install commands are copied from each README.
FAQ
What are the best open-source alternatives to Claude Code?
Our picks: Aider, goose, Qwen Code, OpenHands, OpenCode, Cline. Each one is open source; check the licence before commercial use.
Can I self-host a Claude Code alternative for free?
The software is free to use under its licence. You still pay for your own hosting and for any model API you connect, unless you run a local model.
More open-source alternatives
Cursor · GitHub Copilot · Lovable, Bolt.new and v0 · ChatGPT · Perplexity · Notion · NotebookLM · Vercel, Netlify and Heroku