Open Code Review screenshot

Open Code Review

By Alibaba
DeveloperApplicationFree

Open Code Review for AI-assisted developer workflows

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

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What is Open Code Review?

Open Code Review is an open-source AI developer tool for builders who want a more explicit way to run, review, or manage agent-assisted work. The project is published on GitHub at https://github.com/alibaba/open-code-review, where OpenTools verified the repository description, public activity, and source location during this creation pass. At review time the repository had 7,304 stars, 428 forks, and its latest public push was dated 2026-06-16. The core promise is practical: Open-source & free — Battle-tested at Alibaba's scale. Hybrid architecture code review tool: deterministic pipelines + LLM Agent, precise line-level comments, built-in fine-tuned ruleset (NPE, thread-safety, XSS, SQL injection), OpenAI & Anthropic compatible.. That matters because most teams adopting AI coding tools quickly hit the same problems. They need context they can inspect, workflows they can repeat, and review steps that keep model output from silently changing important code. Open Code Review fits that layer of the stack: it is not a general chatbot, and it is not a foundation model. It is developer infrastructure for making agent work more controlled. For a first evaluation, start from the upstream README, then install or run the project in a disposable repository. Check which files it can read, which commands it can run, and whether it needs credentials. Open-source AI tools can be powerful, but they should be tested with the same care as any automation that edits code or calls external services. Review the Apache License 2.0 terms before rolling it into a commercial workflow. Open Code Review is a strong fit for developers who already use Claude Code, Codex, or other coding agents and want better coordination around review, planning, queues, security, or repeatable workflows. It is also useful for platform teams exploring internal AI engineering tooling. The best reason to try it is not hype; it is whether it gives your team a clearer loop from task, to agent action, to human review, to merged change. OpenTools classifies this listing as a source-backed tool page because the public GitHub repository is the canonical product surface. Pricing is listed as free/open-source access, with the caveat that users may still pay for any external LLM APIs, hosted infrastructure, or private services they connect to the tool. Always check the upstream repository for the latest install commands and security notes before using it in production. The page is intentionally written from durable facts: the repository URL, repository description, public GitHub activity, and the tool's stated role in AI-assisted development. If the project later adds paid hosting, managed plans, or a separate documentation site, this OpenTools record should be updated rather than recreated under a second name.

Verdict

Based on 3 video reviews

Use Open Code Review if you want a coding agent that already looks capable enough to handle real daily work. Reviewers said it fixed pre-existing TypeScript errors on its own, deployed an app from a single prompt, restored thumbnail persistence after refresh, and generally solved the requested tasks faster than expected. The main caveats are that outputs can be a little clunky and it can burn tokens by rereading files one by one. Best for developers who want one flexible agent across laptop, GitHub, and even iPad workflows.

✓ Best for

  • •Open Code is for developers who want one coding agent that works across laptop, GitHub, and iPad workflows.
  • •Open Code users with very small projects may not need this setup.

✗ Not for

  • •Those who need open code custom agents can break script and ignore intended behavior
  • •Those who need many publicly listed open code skills are low quality junk
  • •Those who need the built-in prompt box is not great for breaking lines and adding lists
  • •Those who need the multi-agent setup is not perfect and still makes mistakes
  • •Those who need sub-agents can consume a lot more tokens, especially when instructions are large

Pros

  • +Open Code has matured significantly since the creator's earlier video.
  • +Open Code is presented as the de facto leader among coding agents.
  • +The move to SQLite made session searching, filtering, and reopening much faster.
  • +Sub-agents can reduce hallucinations by making tasks more specific.
  • +Sub-agents make work easier to track.

Cons

  • −Open Code custom agents can break script and ignore intended behavior.
  • −Many publicly listed Open Code skills are low quality junk.
  • −The built-in prompt box is not great for breaking lines and adding lists.
  • −The multi-agent setup is not perfect and still makes mistakes.
  • −Sub-agents can consume a lot more tokens, especially when instructions are large.

Open Code Review's Top Features

Key capabilities that make Open Code Review stand out.

Sub-agent control: Users can control sub-agents and follow their work.

Agent work tracking: Users can follow the work performed by sub-agents.

Skills installation: Users can install skills into Open Code.

Motions control: Users can control every bit of the system with motions.

GitHub integration: Open Code can be integrated into GitHub.

Image support: Open Code can use images as part of workflows.

GUI mode: Open Code can run as a full-blown graphical interface.

Web interface: Open Code can run in a web-based interface.

Use Cases

Who benefits most from this tool.

AI engineering teams

Evaluate Open Code Review in a sandbox before adopting it for agent-assisted development work.

Solo developers

Use the GitHub README and source to test whether the tool improves coding-agent planning, review, or execution.

Platform teams

Assess whether the project can become part of an internal AI developer tooling stack.

Explore Top AI Use Cases

Tags

ai-agentsdeveloper-toolsopen-sourcegithubcode-reviewautomationai-codingengineering-workflowagent-toolscli

How Does Open Code Review Work?

1

Choose a recommended install option

The reviewer recommends either Western or Ghosty for installation.

2

Pick a model

After the terminal UI opens, the next likely step is selecting a model.

3

Select a model provider

The reviewer says to pick your model or Zen and move on.

4

Find local database storage

Unless told otherwise, the database is stored at dot local share Open Code.

5

Invoke a sub-agent

Type at-sign to tag the required sub-agent from the prompt or from primary agent instructions.

6

Locate agent configuration

Configuration is stored at dot config slash Open Code.

7

Configure agents in Open Code JSON

Set agents in Open Code JSON, then restart to see the new agent.

8

Run Open Code Agent Create

Use the command to start the agent creation wizard.

Open Code Review's Pricing

Free plan available

Open Code Review Limitations

Important caveats to consider before choosing Open Code Review.

⚠

Agent behavior is prompt-based and only as good as the prompts and setup provided.

⚠

Agents may go around their instructions despite guidelines, with permissions being the only real constraint.

⚠

Publicly available skills may be low quality and require careful selection.

⚠

Multiple agents with large instructions increase token consumption.

⚠

Complex agent structures make it harder to trace activity and may be overkill for many tasks.

⚠

It chose a single durable object design that may be less ideal than one durable object per thumbnail.

⚠

It starts from zero in every new session with no memory of what it previously read or how files connect.

Is Open Code Review Safe?

Open Code Review appears to be safe to use based on available reviews.
Privacy
Sub-agents make work easier to track.
Privacy
Open Code Review restored thumbnail changes after page refresh.
✓

Open Code was intended to remain open without VC-backed money because VC backing can lead to monetization not aligned with users' interests.

✓

Using Big Pickle for free currently involves allowing training on your data.

Open Code Review Comparisons

How Open Code Review stacks up against its top competitors, based on expert reviews and real-world usage.

Open Code Review vs General alternatives used by the reviewer

View General alternatives used by the reviewer
FeatureOpen Code ReviewGeneral alternatives used by the reviewer
Overall coding agent qualityOne reviewer describes Open Code as “the best coding agent in existence,” indicating a strong overall edge versus other tools they know and use.[Source: DevOps Toolbox, My Opencode Workflow As A Senior Engineer [0:00-2:30]](https://youtu.be/UhRGHr7pgnU)—
Ease and flexibilityA reviewer says Open Code is better, easier, and more flexible than the alternatives in their workflow.[Source: DevOps Toolbox, My Opencode Workflow As A Senior Engineer [17:30-20:00]](https://youtu.be/UhRGHr7pgnU)—

Bottom line

Overall, Open Code Review wins on core coding capability and flexibility, with reviewers describing it as exceptionally strong and, in one case, better than Claude Code at handling pre-existing errors. However, alternatives win on context persistence, some workflow comfort, and usage limits, especially compared with tools or plans that retain project context better or provide higher monthly usage. So, the practical verdict is: - Choose Open Code Review if you want a highly capable, flexible coding agent and care most about task performance. - Choose an alternative if you prioritize persistent context, smoother editor-specific workflows, or larger included usage ceilings.

Open Code Review vs Alternative ways of running Open Code

View Alternative ways of running Open Code
FeatureOpen Code ReviewAlternative ways of running Open Code
Neovim comfort/usability—The reviewer says using Open Code inside Neovim is no longer as comfortable compared with other ways of running it.[Source: DevOps Toolbox, My Opencode Workflow As A Senior Engineer [15:00-17:30]](https://youtu.be/UhRGHr7pgnU)

Bottom line

Overall, Open Code Review wins on core coding capability and flexibility, with reviewers describing it as exceptionally strong and, in one case, better than Claude Code at handling pre-existing errors. However, alternatives win on context persistence, some workflow comfort, and usage limits, especially compared with tools or plans that retain project context better or provide higher monthly usage. So, the practical verdict is: - Choose Open Code Review if you want a highly capable, flexible coding agent and care most about task performance. - Choose an alternative if you prioritize persistent context, smoother editor-specific workflows, or larger included usage ceilings.

Open Code Review vs Claude Code

View Claude Code
FeatureOpen Code ReviewClaude Code
Handling pre-existing errorsIn one comparison task, Open Code Review performed better than Claude Code at dealing with pre-existing errors.[Source: Build at Scale, OpenCode Go - Can Kimi K2.6 Replace Claude Code? [5:00-7:30]](https://youtu.be/P32UOfgbrLc)—

Bottom line

Overall, Open Code Review wins on core coding capability and flexibility, with reviewers describing it as exceptionally strong and, in one case, better than Claude Code at handling pre-existing errors. However, alternatives win on context persistence, some workflow comfort, and usage limits, especially compared with tools or plans that retain project context better or provide higher monthly usage. So, the practical verdict is: - Choose Open Code Review if you want a highly capable, flexible coding agent and care most about task performance. - Choose an alternative if you prioritize persistent context, smoother editor-specific workflows, or larger included usage ceilings.

Open Code Review vs OpenAI/Anthropic $200 plans

View OpenAI/Anthropic $200 plans
FeatureOpen Code ReviewOpenAI/Anthropic $200 plans
Usage allowance—A reviewer says Open Code Review offers less usage than a $200 OpenAI or Anthropic plan, making the premium hosted plans stronger on raw usage capacity.[Source: Build at Scale, OpenCode Go - Can Kimi K2.6 Replace Claude Code? [12:30-15:00]](https://youtu.be/P32UOfgbrLc)

Bottom line

Overall, Open Code Review wins on core coding capability and flexibility, with reviewers describing it as exceptionally strong and, in one case, better than Claude Code at handling pre-existing errors. However, alternatives win on context persistence, some workflow comfort, and usage limits, especially compared with tools or plans that retain project context better or provide higher monthly usage. So, the practical verdict is: - Choose Open Code Review if you want a highly capable, flexible coding agent and care most about task performance. - Choose an alternative if you prioritize persistent context, smoother editor-specific workflows, or larger included usage ceilings.

Open Code Review vs Tools or setups with retained context

View Tools or setups with retained context
FeatureOpen Code ReviewTools or setups with retained context
Session memory/project context—A reviewer says Open Code starts new sessions without retained project context and has to reread files from scratch.[Source: AI Stack Engineer, OpenCode + Graphify: Stop Wasting Tokens in Opencode, Every Developer Use this [0:00-2:30]](https://youtu.be/-L_faOE-H5g)

Bottom line

Overall, Open Code Review wins on core coding capability and flexibility, with reviewers describing it as exceptionally strong and, in one case, better than Claude Code at handling pre-existing errors. However, alternatives win on context persistence, some workflow comfort, and usage limits, especially compared with tools or plans that retain project context better or provide higher monthly usage. So, the practical verdict is: - Choose Open Code Review if you want a highly capable, flexible coding agent and care most about task performance. - Choose an alternative if you prioritize persistent context, smoother editor-specific workflows, or larger included usage ceilings.

Open Code Review vs Tools or setups with stronger architectural memory

View Tools or setups with stronger architectural memory
FeatureOpen Code ReviewTools or setups with stronger architectural memory
Architecture Q&A efficiency—A reviewer compares Open Code to a contractor with no context who must skim everything before answering architecture questions, suggesting weaker context awareness than alternatives with persistent project understanding.[Source: AI Stack Engineer, OpenCode + Graphify: Stop Wasting Tokens in Opencode, Every Developer Use this [0:00-2:30]](https://youtu.be/-L_faOE-H5g)

Bottom line

Overall, Open Code Review wins on core coding capability and flexibility, with reviewers describing it as exceptionally strong and, in one case, better than Claude Code at handling pre-existing errors. However, alternatives win on context persistence, some workflow comfort, and usage limits, especially compared with tools or plans that retain project context better or provide higher monthly usage. So, the practical verdict is: - Choose Open Code Review if you want a highly capable, flexible coding agent and care most about task performance. - Choose an alternative if you prioritize persistent context, smoother editor-specific workflows, or larger included usage ceilings.

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Alibabaenterprise

Advancing open-source AI with Qwen

5 ModelsFounded 2017Hangzhou, China
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5 Models

AI Models by Alibaba

Large language models from the same organization.

ModelContext WindowPrice (In / Out per M)
Qwen3.6 PlusCurrent1.0M$0.33 / $1.95
Qwen3.5-9BCurrent262K$0.10 / $0.15
Qwen3.5-35B-A3BCurrent262K$0.16 / $1.30
Qwen3.5-27BCurrent262K$0.20 / $1.56
Qwen3-VLCurrent131K$0.20 / $0.60

YouTube Reviews

3 videos

What creators say about Open Code Review

What Reviewers Say

DevOps Toolbox

My Opencode Workflow As A Senior Engineer

Watch →

DevOps Toolbox describes Open Code in very strong terms, calling it the “best coding agent in existence” and the current “de facto leader” among coding agents, while also saying it has matured significantly since an earlier look at the tool (YouTube, 0:00–2:30). The reviewer highlights workflow strengths including faster session search after the move to SQLite, useful sub-agents for reducing hallucinations and tracking work, and a native GUI that “works perfectly” despite being in beta; at the s

“

Open Code is described as the best coding agent in existence.” — DevOps Toolbox, My Opencode Workflow As A Senior Engineer ([0:00–)

“

The move to SQLite made session searching, filtering, and reopening much faster.” — DevOps Toolbox ([5:00–)

“

The native GUI works perfectly despite being in beta.” — DevOps Toolbox ([17:30–)

“

Open Code custom agents can break script and ignore intended behavior.” — DevOps Toolbox ([7:30–)

“

Sub-agents can consume a lot more tokens, especially when instructions are large.” — DevOps Toolbox ([15:00–)

“

The reviewer considers Open Code deeply integrated into their workflow, better, easier, and more flexible, and says it is doing a fantastic job.” — DevOps Toolbox ([17:30–)

Build at Scale

OpenCode Go - Can Kimi K2.6 Replace Claude Code?

Watch →

Build at Scale gives Open Code Review a strong first impression, saying it fixed pre-existing TypeScript errors without being asked and performed better than Claude Code on that specific task (YouTube, 5:00–7:30). The reviewer also says the results are “very promising,” that it could work as a daily driver, and that it handled deployment, thumbnail persistence, and task completion quickly, in some cases with one prompt (10:00–12:30). The same review includes a few caveats: the generated UI was “

“

Open Code Review fixed pre-existing TypeScript errors without being asked.” — Build at Scale, OpenCode Go - Can Kimi K2.6 Replace Claude Code? ([5:00–)

“

Open Code Review was better than Claude Code at handling pre-existing errors in this task.” — Build at Scale ([5:00–)

“

Open Code Review deployed the app automatically.” — Build at Scale ([10:00–)

“

Open Code Review got deployment done with one prompt.” — Build at Scale ([10:00–)

“

The UI produced by Open Code Review was a little clunky.” — Build at Scale ([10:00–)

“

Open Code Review is great value for 10 dollars a month.” — Build at Scale ([12:30–)

“

Open Code Review made a strong first impression and appears to offer good value, though the reviewer needs more usage experience to judge fit.” — Build at Scale ([12:30–)

AI Stack Engineer

OpenCode + Graphify: Stop Wasting Tokens in Opencode, Every Developer Use this

Watch →

AI Stack Engineer focuses on a context-retention weakness in Open Code’s default workflow, saying new sessions start without retained project context and must reread files from scratch, which burns tokens (YouTube, 0:00–2:30). The reviewer compares that behavior to “a contractor with no context” who has to skim everything before answering architecture questions (0:00–2:30). That said, the reviewer presents a workaround: with the Graphify plugin installed, Open Code automatically gets graph conte

“

Open Code starts new sessions without retained project context, requiring it to reread files from scratch.” — AI Stack Engineer, OpenCode + Graphify: Stop Wasting Tokens in Opencode, Every Developer Use this ([0:00–)

“

Open Code rereads files one by one to understand a codebase, which burns tokens.” — AI Stack Engineer ([0:00–)

“

Open Code behaves like a contractor with no context who must skim everything before answering architecture questions.” — AI Stack Engineer ([0:00–)

“

With the plugin installed, Open Code gets graph context automatically in each new conversation.” — AI Stack Engineer ([5:00–)

“

Open Code can use graph context without the user typing anything in each new conversation when the plugin is installed.” — AI Stack Engineer ([5:00–)

User Reviews

Share your thoughts

If you've used this product, share your thoughts with other builders

Recent reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Video-sourced answers
Is Open Code Review free?video
Open Code Review appears to have a paid plan called Go that reviewers described as low cost, with one reviewer stating it costs $10 per month. Separate Open Code-related tooling mentioned in reviews also included free usage in some cases if users accept training on their data, but the clearly stated Open Code Review offer was the paid Go plan.
How much does Open Code Review cost?video
One reviewer said Open Code Review costs $10 per month and called it great value. They also reported that two prompts used 9% of a 5-hour rolling allowance, 3% of weekly usage, and 1% of monthly usage, which suggests usage is tracked within plan limits.
What is Open Code Review best for?video
Reviewers showed Open Code Review being used for real software work, including maintaining projects, building features, reviewing pull requests, and moving from a vague problem to a working solution. It seems especially useful for larger projects and more complex application work rather than tiny codebases.
Can Open Code Review review pull requests and GitHub discussions?video
Yes. A reviewer used Open Code with a code-reviewer sub-agent for pull requests, and another workflow showed it reviewing GitHub discussions and pull requests through comment commands.
Can Open Code Review help with large or complex projects?video
Yes. Reviewers described using Open Code with teams of agents for very large application features, and said sub-agents can work better on separate components because they keep context more targeted. They also said this setup makes more sense for big projects than for very small ones.
What makes Open Code Review different from a single chat-based coding workflow?video
The main difference shown in reviews is its agent-based workflow: users can run sub-agents for code review or separate components, which reviewers said can reduce hallucinations and make work easier to track. It also fits across laptop, GitHub, web, and even iPad-based workflows.
What are the main limitations of Open Code Review?video
Reviewers said custom agents depend heavily on how well you write their prompts, and agents can still ignore instructions unless permissions are tightly controlled. They also noted that multi-agent setups can be expensive in token usage, harder to inspect, and that Open Code does not remember prior codebase exploration between sessions.
Is Open Code Review good for small projects?video
Maybe not always. One reviewer said users with very small projects may not need this kind of setup, while another said the multi-agent approach is most worthwhile for bigger projects and large application features.
Does Open Code Review use your data for training?video
One Open Code-related review mentioned a free option that was available if the user accepted training on their data. The review data does not clearly confirm whether the paid Open Code Review plan uses customer data for training, so users should verify current privacy terms before adopting it.
Is Open Code Review easy to get started with?video
It can solve practical tasks quickly, and one reviewer confirmed it handled the task they gave it and could get from a vague problem to a solution. At the same time, more advanced setups like custom skills, sub-agents, and tmux-based workflows appear more useful for experienced developers working in larger codebases.