{"slug": "if-claude-code-is-expensive-or-hard-to-access-for-you-try-opencode", "title": "If Claude Code is expensive or hard to access for you, try OpenCode", "summary": "OpenCode, an open-source AI coding agent, offers a free alternative to Claude Code. It works in the terminal, desktop, and as a VS Code extension, supporting free models with daily usage limits and custom API keys.", "body_md": "If **Claude Code** is expensive or hard to access for you, try **OpenCode**.\n\nIt’s an open-source AI coding agent that works in the terminal, desktop, and as a VS Code extension.\n\n**Free models available:**\n\nThese free models work well for most daily coding tasks. Note: They have daily usage limits (they reset every day).\n\nHow to install (Windows):\n\nFirst, make sure Node.js is installed on your system.\n\nThen run:\n\n```\nnpm install -g opencode-ai\n```\n\nAfter installation, run:\n\n```\nopencode\n```\n\nYou can also install the **VS Code extension** for a smoother experience.\n\nOpenCode lets you use free models or connect any API key you want. It’s flexible, open-source, and a solid alternative to Claude Code.\n\nI tested it myself. Setup is easy and the free models are usable for real work.\n\nLink: [https://opencode.ai/](https://opencode.ai/)", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/if-claude-code-is-expensive-or-hard-to-access-for-you-try-opencode", "canonical_source": "https://dev.to/joodi/if-claude-code-is-expensive-or-hard-to-access-for-you-try-opencode-5hfj", "published_at": "2026-07-30 09:56:02+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-07-30 10:01:55.733998+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-tools", "developer-tools", "ai-agents"], "entities": ["OpenCode", "Claude Code", "VS Code"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/if-claude-code-is-expensive-or-hard-to-access-for-you-try-opencode", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/if-claude-code-is-expensive-or-hard-to-access-for-you-try-opencode.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/if-claude-code-is-expensive-or-hard-to-access-for-you-try-opencode.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/if-claude-code-is-expensive-or-hard-to-access-for-you-try-opencode.jsonld"}}