Claude Code vs OpenCode
In this Claude Code vs OpenCode comparison, the short answer is that both tools read SKILL.md skills. OpenCode even checks the folder where Claude Code keeps them. Claude Code is Anthropic's coding agent. OpenCode is an open source coding agent that can connect to many model providers.
Side by side
| Claude Code | OpenCode | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Anthropic | The open source OpenCode project |
| Models | Claude models, also through Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud and Microsoft Foundry | Many providers through /connect, plus local models through Ollama |
| Skills folder | ~/.claude/skills/ or .claude/skills/ | .opencode/skills/ or ~/.config/opencode/skills, and it also reads .claude/skills/ |
| Project guidance | CLAUDE.md, or AGENTS.md in its place | AGENTS.md |
| Where it runs | Terminal, IDE, desktop app and browser | Terminal, desktop app and web app |
| Plan before editing | A plan permission mode | A built-in Plan agent |
Which one should I choose?
Try both on a real task from your own code. One clear difference is the models. Claude Code runs Claude models. OpenCode lets you pick from many providers, and that includes models you run on your own machine with Ollama.
Can OpenCode use my Claude skills?
Yes, it can. OpenCode searches ~/.claude/skills for your own skills and .claude/skills inside a project. That means the skills you set up for Claude Code show up in OpenCode with no copying. In a project, it looks from your current folder up to the project root.
Read each skill first. Claude Code adds its own fields on top of the shared skill format, and a skill that leans on those fields may act differently in OpenCode.
How do I install a skill in OpenCode?
Put the skill folder, with its SKILL.md file, in .opencode/skills/ inside your project. If you want it in every project, use ~/.config/opencode/skills instead. OpenCode does not stuff every skill into every prompt. It shows the agent a skill when the skill fits, and the agent loads it with its skill tool.
How do I install OpenCode?
Run the install script for version 2:
curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/v2/install | bash
You can also use npm with the @opencode/cli package. Pick one version. OpenCode 1 and OpenCode 2 both use the same command name, so you cannot install both at once with the default setup.
Do both tools read AGENTS.md?
Yes, they do. OpenCode uses AGENTS.md for project guidance and loads one from each folder between where you are and the project root. Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md, but it can read an AGENTS.md file instead, so one file can guide both tools.
Questions
Is OpenCode open source?
Yes, it is. OpenCode's own docs call it an open source AI coding agent, and its code is on GitHub.
Can both tools plan before they change code?
Yes, they can. Claude Code has a plan mode for looking around before it edits. OpenCode has a Plan agent that explores and plans without editing your project files.
Where do I find skills that work in both?
Start with our Claude Code skills list. OpenCode reads the same folder, so the steps on each listing work for both tools.