Roo Code Review: Open-Source Multi-Model AI Coding Agent for VS Code
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Updated
Roo Code is a free, open-source VS Code extension that adds customizable AI agents for multi-model coding, team collaboration, and privacy-focused development.
About Roo Code
Roo Code is an open-source VS Code extension that brings a full AI development team into the editor. It works with any LLM—Claude, GPT, Gemini, or locally-hosted models—through custom modes that act as specialized AI personas (e.g., security reviewer, test engineer). The extension supports agentic multi-file editing with permission-based control, ensuring nothing runs without explicit approval.
Key Capabilities
- Model-agnostic – Connect any LLM provider or local model (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Mistral, Ollama, etc.).
- Custom Modes – Define tailored AI personas for security reviews, documentation, testing, and more.
- Multi-File Agentic Editing – Refactor and update several files simultaneously with full codebase context.
- Permission-Based Control – Actions require user approval unless auto-approval rules are set.
- Roo Cloud & Roomote – Sync sessions across devices, share tasks with teammates, and manage agents remotely.
Who It’s Perfect For
- Open-source advocates
- Developers who need flexibility across multiple LLM providers
- Teams looking for collaborative AI-driven coding
- Privacy-conscious developers
- Power users of VS Code
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free & Open-Source | $0 | Community-maintained, Apache 2.0 license |
| Pro | $20 / mo | Adds premium features and priority support |
| Team | $99 / mo | Designed for collaborative teams, includes Roo Cloud access |
Community Insight
- Developer sentiment (NYC AI Engineers meetup, Feb 2026): Roo Code was mentioned by 19 % of attendees as a favored coding agent alongside Claude Code and GitHub Copilot.
- Social chatter: Users note that while Roo Code has strong open-source roots, newer AI coding products with smoother UX are gaining traction.
Comparable Tools
| Tool | Core Offering | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Google AntiGravity | Agentic development platform (IDE, desktop, CLI, SDK) | Freemium, starts at $20 + |
| Blackbox AI | Multi-model assistant with autonomous agents, VS Code & JetBrains integrations | Freemium, starts at $8 + |
| Kiro | AWS-backed AI-powered IDE turning natural language into structured requirements | Free |
| Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) | Local AI coding editor with agent command center and cloud agents | Freemium, $20-200 |
| OpenAI Codex App | macOS desktop app for orchestrating multiple Codex agents | Paid |
| GitHub Copilot Workspace | Web-based, agentic development environment with PR generation | Paid, $10-39 / mo |
These alternatives vary in licensing models, integration depth, and pricing. Roo Code stands out for its fully open-source license and unrestricted model selection.
Getting Started
- Website: https://roocode.com/
- GitHub repository: https://github.com/RooCodeInc/Roo-Code
- VS Code Marketplace: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=RooVeterinaryInc.roo-cline
- Documentation: https://docs.roocode.com/
Install the extension from the VS Code Marketplace, configure your preferred LLM API keys, and start creating custom modes to match your development workflow. Roo Cloud and Roomote enable seamless collaboration across team members and devices.