The Most User‑Friendly AI Agent: Setting Up OpenCode Desktop, VSCode Plugin, and CLI Versions

After testing Codex, Claude Code, and OpenCode, the author finds that OpenCode is the most suitable AI agent for users who do not want to deal with complex setup such as VPNs or foreign phone numbers required by the other tools.

OpenCode offers the same capabilities as the other agents while providing free model access, and it aligns with the author’s company‑wide tooling.

Readers are advised to consult the official OpenCode documentation (https://opencode.ai/docs/zh-cn) and a beginner‑friendly tutorial on runoob.com for Chinese‑language guidance.

The article does not repeat the detailed installation steps found in those sources but emphasizes choosing the version that matches personal workflow: desktop, VSCode plugin, or CLI.

All three versions are available; the desktop edition is recommended first because it is the easiest to install and can serve as a fallback for the other versions. The desktop download link is https://github.com/anomalyco/opencode/.

While the desktop and CLI versions work well, they cannot edit and view files simultaneously. The VSCode plugin, however, allows side‑by‑side editing, which suits users who prefer an integrated development environment.

Installing the VSCode plugin requires the CLI version to be present; otherwise, an error occurs.

Installation commands:

For macOS or Linux: curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/install | bash For Windows (after installing Node.js and npm): npm config set registry https://registry.npmmirror.com/ (to speed up npm access) npm install -g opencode-ai After installation, the author configures OpenCode to use the Deepseek model, purchasing tokens as needed, and follows the Deepseek integration guide at https://www.runoob.com/opencode/opencode-deepseek.html.

The overall setup process is described as smooth; if any issue arises, the desktop client can handle automatic installation tasks.

In conclusion, OpenCode has the lowest entry barrier, is open‑source and free, and eliminates the need to download additional software such as CC Switch for other models. The author cautions that AI agents are merely tools and encourages readers to consider the actual value they bring rather than getting caught up in learning a single piece of software.