Claude Code
CursorAbout Roo Code
Roo Code is an open-source, agentic AI extension for VS Code, born as a community fork of Cline and pushed toward power-user flexibility. Its signature feature is 'modes' — distinct personas like architect, coder and debugger — so the agent behaves differently for planning versus writing versus fixing.
Like the best open tools, you bring your own model and key, and you approve the agent's multi-file edits and commands. That means you get agentic development that adapts to the task while staying transparent and under your control.
It's Apache-2.0 licensed with a fast-growing community and frequent releases. For developers who want a highly configurable, mode-based open alternative to Claude Code and Cursor, Roo Code is a compelling pick.
What makes it different
Switch between architect, coder, debugger and custom modes so the agent fits the task.
Plans and applies changes across files and runs commands, with your approval.
Use any provider or local model — you supply the key and choose the engine.
See every diff, and tailor prompts, modes and permissions to your workflow.
TypeScript
VS Code
Node.jsThe honest read
- Mode-based agents adapt to planning, coding and debugging
- Highly configurable for power users
- Bring your own model and key
- Apache-2.0 licensed with rapid releases
- Transparent, approve-before-act edits
- Lots of options can overwhelm newcomers
- You pay for your own model usage
- Tied to the VS Code ecosystem
- Younger and less settled than its parent, Cline
Quick answers
Yes — Roo Code is free and open source under the Apache-2.0 license. You only pay for the model provider you connect.
Roo Code began as a fork of Cline and adds specialized 'modes' and deeper customization, aimed at power users who want more control.
Modes are distinct agent personas — like architect, coder and debugger — that change how the agent approaches a task, and you can define your own.
You can bring your own key for any major provider or run a local model.
Roo Code is a VS Code extension, so it runs in VS Code and compatible editors.
More open-source picks
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Open-source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains.
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