Compare the AI agents students keep hearing about.
This is a practical reference, not a ranking. Use it to understand what each tool is for, how beginner-friendly it is, and where to verify current setup details.
Current install commands, pricing, models, and limits change quickly. This catalog links to official docs instead of hard-coding promises.
Terminal coding agent
OpenCode
The workshop's hands-on agent. It can inspect projects, plan changes, edit files, and run commands from a terminal-first workflow.
Best for
Learning the real agent loop: ask, plan, review, run, verify.
- Install path
- Official docs list install script, npm, package-manager, Windows, and binary paths. Check current docs before installing.
- Interface
- Terminal, desktop app, IDE extension
- Beginner difficulty
- Beginner with guidance
- Safety note
- Good for teaching command review because actions are visible in the terminal.
AI coding agent
OpenAI Codex
OpenAI's coding-agent family for delegating software tasks. Exact packaging and access can change, so use official docs.
Best for
Comparing OpenAI's agent workflow with terminal-first tools.
- Install path
- Check current official OpenAI docs.
- Interface
- Varies by product surface
- Beginner difficulty
- Beginner to intermediate
- Safety note
- Treat generated code as a proposal. Review diffs and avoid sharing secrets.
Agentic coding tool
Claude Code
Anthropic's coding agent for working with projects from the command line and related developer workflows.
Best for
Careful refactors, code explanation, and longer project edits.
- Install path
- Check Anthropic's current setup docs.
- Interface
- Command line
- Beginner difficulty
- Intermediate after basics
- Safety note
- Still needs command review, repo hygiene, and secret discipline.
AI-native code editor
Cursor
A code editor with chat, autocomplete, and agent workflows built into the editing environment.
Best for
Students who prefer editor-first guidance.
- Install path
- Download from official Cursor site.
- Interface
- Desktop editor
- Beginner difficulty
- Beginner-friendly
- Safety note
- Watch which files the editor context includes before asking private questions.
AI code editor
Windsurf
An AI-assisted editor focused on coding workflows and project context.
Best for
Trying editor-native AI workflows.
- Install path
- Download from official Windsurf site.
- Interface
- Desktop editor
- Beginner difficulty
- Beginner-friendly
- Safety note
- Review generated changes and avoid adding secrets to editor context.
Editor assistant
GitHub Copilot
GitHub's AI coding assistant for completions, chat, and editor-integrated help.
Best for
Inline suggestions while learning editor habits.
- Install path
- Use official GitHub Copilot docs for editor setup.
- Interface
- IDE/editor extension
- Beginner difficulty
- Beginner-friendly
- Safety note
- Autocomplete can be wrong. Read code before accepting it.
Open-source AI code assistant
Continue
An open-source assistant that can connect editors with different model providers.
Best for
Experimenting with provider flexibility.
- Install path
- Follow official Continue docs.
- Interface
- Editor extension
- Beginner difficulty
- Intermediate
- Safety note
- Provider configuration may involve keys. Store them safely.
Terminal pair-programming agent
Aider
A terminal tool for pair programming with LLMs while editing files in a Git repository.
Best for
Git-aware coding sessions.
- Install path
- Follow official Aider docs.
- Interface
- Terminal
- Beginner difficulty
- Intermediate
- Safety note
- Commit often and review diffs carefully.
Autonomous software agent
OpenHands
An open-source platform for autonomous software-development agents.
Best for
Exploring higher-autonomy workflows after the basics.
- Install path
- Follow official OpenHands docs.
- Interface
- Web/local development environment
- Beginner difficulty
- Advanced beginner to intermediate
- Safety note
- Higher autonomy needs stronger boundaries and review.
Minimal coding agent
Pi
A minimal coding-agent option included for comparison using the provided official docs.
Best for
Comparing lightweight agent workflows.
- Install path
- Follow Pi docs.
- Interface
- Check current docs
- Beginner difficulty
- To verify
- Safety note
- Verify current capabilities before recommending live setup.
Advanced local-first agent
OpenClaw
Planned advanced section for local agent workflows and Telegram linking after official docs are verified.
Best for
Advanced automation after students understand secrets.
- Install path
- Needs verification before publishing exact commands.
- Interface
- To verify
- Beginner difficulty
- Advanced
- Safety note
- Telegram tokens and connected services require extra care.
Advanced agent reference
Hermes
Planned advanced reference entry. Exact behavior and setup should be verified before teaching.
Best for
Post-workshop exploration once official docs are confirmed.
- Install path
- Needs verification before publishing exact commands.
- Interface
- To verify
- Beginner difficulty
- Advanced
- Safety note
- Do not ask students to set it up until boundaries are documented.
Comparison criteria
Current install commands, pricing, models, and limits change quickly. This catalog links to official docs instead of hard-coding promises.