Coding and CLI agents · ranked 04
Aider
Open-source pair programming in the terminal. Git commits included.
Best for Git-native pair programming from the terminal
Aider is an open-source terminal pair programmer. You point it at a repo and a model, talk through a change, and it edits files and can commit to git. It is the pick when you want a CLI agent you control and you will bring your own API key.
Best use cases
- Making a reviewed commit with a model
- Using whichever API key you already pay for
- A local agent with no editor subscription
Pros
- + Open source and free
- + Git commits are part of the workflow
- + Works with multiple model providers
Cons
- − You bring a key, a model, and your own taste about the diff
- − The interface is the terminal, which is the point and the limit
Pricing
Open source and free. You pay the model provider. Provider rates: check site.
Alternatives
Coding and CLI agents
8.3
Claude Code
Anthropic's coding agent for the terminal and supported editors.
Best for Repo-sized edits from the terminal
Coding and CLI agents
7.4
OpenCode
Open-source coding agent you run in the terminal.
Best for A local open-source terminal agent
Coding and CLI agents
7.6
Cline
Open-source coding agent inside VS Code. Bring your own model.
Best for An agent inside stock VS Code