Roo Code
Free · Open SourceOpen-source VS Code AI coding agent with multi-mode system — Architect, Code, Debug, and Ask (formerly Roo Cline)
What is Roo Code?
Roo Code (formerly Roo Cline) is a free, open-source AI coding agent that lives in VS Code as an extension. It started as a fork of Cline and inherits its powerful capabilities — browser automation via headless Chromium, shell access, MCP (Model Context Protocol) support, and BYO API key — while adding its own twist: a multi-mode system with four specialized modes (Architect, Code, Debug, Ask) that each have different tool permissions and can be assigned their own LLM. Architect mode is read-only and helps you plan changes without touching files. Code mode has full edit, terminal, and MCP access. Debug mode uses a structured mathematical approach to narrow down bugs. Ask mode answers questions about your codebase without making changes. You can assign Claude Opus for deep Architect planning and cheap DeepSeek V3 for high-volume Code execution, letting you optimize cost vs quality per task. Roo Code is permission-based by default, with granular auto-approve settings that let you safely run long autonomous tasks while keeping risky operations (file deletes, shell commands) under manual review. The extension itself is free and Apache 2.0 licensed; you only pay for LLM API tokens or run entirely on free local models via Ollama. An optional Roo Cloud layer adds team features like remote agent control and task sharing for organizations that want collaborative agent workflows.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Advanced VS Code users who want a customizable, multi-model agent with granular permission controls
Beginners who want a plug-and-play AI that just works without configuration
Free — pay only for LLM API tokens (or run free via Ollama)
Yes — fully open source, no usage limits
Multi-mode system with per-mode LLM assignment and granular permissions
More configuration required than Cursor or Copilot to hit peak productivity
Bottom line: Roo Code scores 4.3/5 — The most customizable open-source coding agent for VS Code. Better than Cline for power users who want multi-mode workflows, slightly more setup for beginners.
Pricing
Extension — Free: Fully open-source under Apache 2.0. Installed from the VS Code Marketplace. No subscription, no usage limits, no telemetry by default.
API costs (BYO key): You pay your chosen LLM provider directly. Typical costs: Claude Sonnet runs $30–60/mo for moderate use, Claude Opus $60–150/mo for heavy use, DeepSeek V3 is under $15/mo for most workloads. Local models via Ollama are completely free.
Roo Cloud — Optional paid add-on: Team features like Roomote Control (remote agent management) and task sharing. Per-seat pricing; the core extension does not require Roo Cloud to function.
Key Features
- Multi-mode system: Architect, Code, Debug, Ask with different tool permissions
- Assign different LLMs to each mode (Opus for planning, DeepSeek for execution)
- Browser automation via headless Chromium (inherited from Cline)
- Shell command execution and file editing
- MCP (Model Context Protocol) server support for extensibility
- Granular auto-approve settings for safe autonomous operation
- Supports Claude, GPT, DeepSeek, Gemini, and local Ollama models
- Permission-based control flow — you approve every action by default
- Optional Roo Cloud for team features (remote control, task sharing)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open source, no usage limits
- Multi-mode system enables cost-optimized per-task model selection
- Granular permissions keep risky actions under manual review
- Browser automation and shell access for end-to-end tasks
- MCP support for deep customization and integration
Cons
- More configuration required than plug-and-play tools
- Setup learning curve higher than Cline's simpler UI
- Quality depends heavily on which LLM you choose
FAQ
Is Roo Code free?
Yes, Roo Code is completely free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license. There are no subscription fees or usage limits on the extension itself. You only pay for the underlying LLM API tokens (Claude, GPT, DeepSeek, or free via local Ollama models). An optional Roo Cloud layer adds team features like remote agent control and task sharing, but the core extension is free forever.
What is Roo Code's multi-mode system?
Roo Code has four built-in modes with different permissions and tools. Architect mode is read-only and helps you plan changes without editing. Code mode has full access to edit files, run terminal commands, and use MCP servers. Debug mode uses a mathematical approach to narrow down bug possibilities step by step. Ask mode answers questions about your codebase without making changes. You can assign a different LLM to each mode — for example Claude Opus for Architect and DeepSeek V3 for Code.
How is Roo Code different from Cline?
Roo Code started as a fork of Cline (originally called Roo Cline) and shares much of its DNA — browser automation, shell access, BYO API key, MCP support. The main differences are Roo Code's multi-mode system (Architect, Code, Debug, Ask), its more granular auto-approve settings, and its permission-based control flow. Cline is simpler and faster to get started with; Roo Code is more powerful and customizable for advanced workflows.
Does Roo Code support local models?
Yes. Roo Code integrates with Ollama, LM Studio, LocalAI, and any OpenAI-compatible endpoint, so you can run Qwen 2.5 Coder, DeepSeek Coder V2, Llama 3.3, or any other local model entirely on your machine. None of your code leaves your laptop. Performance is noticeably below Claude Sonnet but is adequate for most small-to-medium tasks and is a strong choice for privacy-sensitive work.
What LLMs work best with Roo Code?
Roo Code works well with Claude Opus and Sonnet (best overall quality), GPT-5.4 and o1 (strong reasoning), DeepSeek V3 and R1 (cheapest high-quality option), and Gemini 2.5 (long context). For Architect mode, Claude Opus or o1 shine because planning benefits from deep reasoning. For Code mode, DeepSeek V3 is the sweet spot on cost vs quality. You can assign different models per mode for optimal cost-performance.
Is Roo Code safe to let run autonomously?
Roo Code is permission-based by default, meaning every file change or terminal command requires your approval before it runs. Advanced users can enable auto-approve settings for specific actions (like auto-approving file reads but requiring approval for deletes or shell commands). This granular control lets you safely run longer autonomous tasks while keeping risky operations under manual review.
What is Roo Cloud?
Roo Cloud is an optional hosted layer for teams that adds Roomote Control (manage agents remotely across devices) and task sharing (let teammates see and continue AI sessions). The core Roo Code extension remains free and fully functional without Roo Cloud, which is a team-oriented add-on. Pricing for Roo Cloud is per-seat and is separate from LLM API costs.
Can Roo Code browse the web like Cline?
Yes. Roo Code inherits Cline's browser automation capability, which lets the agent open a headless Chromium browser, navigate to pages, click elements, fill forms, and read page content. This is useful for tasks like scraping documentation, verifying that a web app works end to end, or researching APIs. Combined with shell access and file editing, it makes Roo Code a capable end-to-end coding agent for tasks that span code and the web.
📋 Good to know
Install Roo Code from the VS Code Marketplace, add your API keys (Anthropic, OpenAI, or local Ollama URL), and pick a mode to start.
Your code only goes to the LLM provider you configure. Local Ollama mode keeps everything on your machine.
The extension is always free. Add Roo Cloud only if you need team-wide agent management.
Moderate. Multi-mode system and permissions take an hour to grok. Faster if you're already using Cline.