Been using Claude Code at work and OpenCode for side projects/local models for the last few months. Not benchmarks. Just real usage across frontend, terminal debugging, repo exploration, long sessions, and “come back tomorrow and continue” workflows. What was surprising to me Claude Code was better when I wanted to stop thinking about the tool. OpenCode was better when I wanted to control the tool. Frontend work Claude Code felt smoother, better at making a change, checking nearby files, understanding project style. For normal React/Next work, it felt like a finished product. OpenCode could do the same, but I had to be more deliberate about the model, prompt, and permissions. Terminal/debugging Claude Code was more conservative with commands (usually good). OpenCode was easier to inspect and customize, but made me more responsible for guardrails. When something went wrong, OpenCode was easier to debug because the history and config were visible. Long sessions Claude Code feels smarter in-session- CLAUDE.md, compacting, memory behavior. OpenCode feels more portable- AGENTS.md is easier to share across tools, and raw history in SQLite is genuinely useful if you want to inspect what happened later. Models Claude Code is Anthropic only out of the box. OpenCode works with Kimi, local models, OpenAI, OpenRouter, whatever’s good that week. Cost Claude Code’s subscription is easier to justify at work, flat price, predictable. OpenCode makes more sense for personal use or experiments, bring your own key, set limits, run cheaper/local models. My setup now: Claude Code for work. OpenCode for side projects, local models, and experiments. submitted by /u/Straight_Stomach812
Originally posted by u/Straight_Stomach812 on r/ClaudeCode