Roo Code Logo

What is Roo Code?

Roo Code is an open-source, AI-powered coding agent that puts an entire AI dev team right in your editor and in the cloud.

Roo Code goes far beyond simple autocompletion. It reads and writes across multiple files, executes terminal commands, runs your tests, opens a browser for integration testing, and adapts to the way you work. Think of it as having a team of specialized AI developers working for you, both in the cloud and inside your editor.

Roo Code Cloud provides autonomous AI agents that handle tasks like planning, coding, PR review, and PR fixing -- triggered from the web, Slack, Linear, or GitHub. Delegate work to your AI team and get results back as pull requests, without being tied to your IDE.

The Roo Code VS Code Extension is completely free and open-source under the Apache 2.0 license. It works with any AI model you choose -- from OpenAI and Anthropic to local models running on your own machine via Ollama. Your code stays on your machine unless you explicitly connect to an external API.

What can Roo Code do?

Roo Code combines deep project understanding with agentic capabilities that go well beyond autocomplete.

Multi-file editing

Reads, refactors, and updates multiple files at once for holistic code changes. Understands your entire codebase structure, not just the current file.

Terminal command execution

Runs commands like npm install, executes your test suites, and manages build tools -- always with your permission or auto-approval if you choose.

Browser testing

Can open a web browser for integration testing and visual verification of changes when approved.

Deep project context

Uses efficient strategies like partial-file analysis and summarization to understand large codebases. Works well with enterprise-scale projects.

Permission-based control

Every file change and command execution requires your approval. Nothing runs without your explicit permission, keeping you in full control.

Extensible via MCP

The Model Context Protocol lets you extend Roo Code with custom tools and resources, connecting it to databases, APIs, and other systems.

Role-specific modes

Modes keep AI models focused on a given task and limit their access to tools relevant to their role. This keeps the context window clearer and avoids surprises. Modes are smart enough to request switching to another mode when stepping outside their responsibilities.

Architect

Plans complex changes and designs system architecture without modifying code.

Code

Implements, refactors, and optimizes code across multiple files.

Ask

Explains functionality, answers questions, and analyzes existing code.

Debug

Diagnoses issues, traces failures, and proposes targeted fixes.

Test

Creates and improves tests without changing the actual functionality.

Plus custom modes you create with their own prompts, tools, and file restrictions.

Model-agnostic by design

“The best model in the world” changes every other week. Providers throttle models with no warning. First-party coding agents only work with their own models. Roo Code works with dozens of models and providers, so you are never locked in.

OpenAIAnthropicGoogle GeminiDeepSeekMistralxAI (Grok)QwenOllama (local)OpenRouterAmazon Bedrock+ many more

Bring your own API key from any provider, or use the Roo Code Router for at-cost access to top models with no markup.

Two ways to work with Roo Code

Delegate to cloud agents for autonomous work, or use the extension for hands-on control.

Cloud Agents

For autonomous work

Create your agent team in the cloud, give them access to GitHub, and start delegating tasks:

  • Agents: Planner, Coder, Explainer, Reviewer, Fixer
  • Trigger tasks from the web, Slack, Linear, or GitHub
  • Get PR reviews and fixes automatically
  • Collaborate with your team on shared tasks
  • Track usage and costs with analytics

VS Code Extension

For interactive work

Run Roo directly in VS Code (or any fork, including Cursor), stay close to the code, and control everything:

  • Approve every action or set auto-approval
  • Manage the context window directly
  • Configure every detail of the AI behavior
  • Preview changes live in your editor
  • Works with your existing VS Code setup

Why developers choose Roo Code

What sets Roo Code apart.

Open source

Fully auditable under the Apache 2.0 license. See exactly how it works and contribute to its development.

Not locked to one model

Use any AI provider. Switch models freely. Bring your own key or use the Roo Code Router at cost.

Modes keep agents focused

Role-specific modes limit what the AI can do, keeping it on task and avoiding unintended side effects.

Highly configurable

Custom modes, system prompts, auto-approval rules, keyboard shortcuts, and .rooignore for sensitive files.

Private and secure

Code stays local. Permission-based execution. SOC2 Type 2 compliant. Works fully offline with local models.

IDE + Cloud

Work interactively in VS Code or delegate to autonomous cloud agents. No other tool offers both.

Get started in 2 minutes

1

Install the extension

Search for “Roo Code” in the VS Code Marketplace or install it directly. It works in VS Code and any fork, including Cursor.

2

Add your AI API key

Connect any supported provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, etc.) in the extension settings, or use the Roo Code Router for at-cost model access.

3

Start coding with AI

Open the Roo Code panel in VS Code and start typing commands in plain English. Choose a mode (Code, Architect, Debug, etc.) and let Roo help you build.

+

Try Cloud Agents (optional)

Sign up for Roo Code Cloud to access autonomous agents that handle tasks from the web, Slack, Linear, and GitHub.

Need help getting started? Watch our tutorials or visit the documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Roo Code and how it can transform your development workflow.

Roo Code is an open-source, AI-powered coding assistant that runs in VS Code. It goes beyond simple autocompletion by reading and writing across multiple files, executing commands, and adapting to your workflow—like having a whole dev team right inside your editor.
Roo Code is open-source and fully customizable, letting you integrate any AI model you choose (e.g, OpenAI, Anthropic, local LLMs, etc.). It's built for multi-file edits, so it can read, refactor, and update multiple files at once for holistic code changes. Its agentic abilities go beyond a typical AI autocomplete, enabling it to run tests, open a browser, and handle deeper tasks. And you're always in control: Roo Code is permission-based, meaning you can control and approve any file changes or command executions.
Yes! Roo Code is completely free and open-source. You'll only pay for the AI model usage if you use a paid API (like OpenAI). If you choose free or self-hosted models, there's no cost at all.
Yes. Because Roo Code is an extension in your local VS Code, your code never leaves your machine unless you connect to an external AI API. Even then, you control exactly what is sent to the AI model. You can use tools like .rooignore to exclude sensitive files, and you can also run Roo Code with offline/local models for full privacy.
Roo Code is fully model-agnostic, giving you the flexibility to work with whatever AI models you prefer. It supports OpenAI models (like GPT-4o, GPT-4, and o1), Anthropic's Claude (including Claude 3.5 Sonnet), Google's Gemini models, and local LLMs via APIs or specialized plugins. You can even connect any other model that follows Roo Code's Model Context Protocol (MCP).
Likely yes! Roo Code supports a wide range of languages—Python, Java, C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, Go, Rust, etc. Since it leverages the AI model's understanding, new or lesser-known languages may also work, depending on model support.
Install Roo Code from the VS Code Marketplace (or GitHub). Add your AI keys (OpenAI, Anthropic, or other) in the extension settings. Open the Roo panel (the rocket icon) in VS Code, and start typing commands in plain English! Watch our tutorial to help you get started.
Absolutely. Roo Code uses efficient strategies (like partial-file analysis, summarization, or user-specified context) to handle large codebases. Enterprises especially appreciate the on-prem or self-hosted model option for compliance and security needs. Learn more about Roo Code for enterprise.
Yes. Roo Code was built for enterprise environments. You can self-host AI models or use your own trusted provider. All file changes and commands go through permission gating, so nothing runs without your approval. And because Roo Code is fully open-source, it's auditable—you can review exactly how it works before deploying it. Learn more about Roo Code for enterprise.
Yes! One of Roo Code's biggest strengths is its ability to execute commands—always optional and fully permission-based. It can run terminal commands like npm install, execute your test suites, and even open a web browser for integration testing when you approve it.
Roo Code shines for both serious enterprise development and casual "vibe coding." You can ask it to quickly prototype ideas, refactor on the fly, or provide design suggestions—without a rigid, step-by-step process.
Yes, please do! Roo Code is open-source on GitHub. Submit issues, suggest features, or open a pull request. There's also an active community on Discord and Reddit if you want to share feedback or help others.
Check out our official documentation for both a quick-start set up and advanced guides. You can also get community support on Discord and Reddit. You can also check out our YouTube tutorials and blog posts from fellow developers showcasing real-world usage.

Build faster. Solo or Together.