OpenSider for VS Code Integrates Multiple AI Agents

What changed

OpenSider for VS Code has been released as an open-source extension designed to integrate multiple AI agent command-line interfaces (CLIs) directly into the VS Code side panel. This new tool aims to serve as an alternative to GitHub Copilot Chat, offering a unified interface for various ACP (Agent Client Protocol) agents. The extension supports agents such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, OpenCode, and GitHub Copilot CLI, among others listed in the ACP Registry. A key feature is its ability to connect to any installed agent CLI on a developer's machine, allowing for dynamic switching between agents and models within a single chat session. The extension does not bundle any AI models itself, relying entirely on the user's pre-installed agent CLIs. It also introduces a 'Continue in browser' functionality, enabling conversations to be seamlessly transferred from VS Code to the browser-based OpenSider extension, and vice-versa.

Why it matters for builders

For developers, OpenSider for VS Code offers a consolidated environment for interacting with diverse AI coding assistants. This eliminates the friction of managing multiple tools or browser tabs for different AI agents. The ability to switch between agents and models within the same project and session means builders can experiment with different AI capabilities without disrupting their coding flow. This flexibility can lead to more efficient problem-solving and code generation by allowing developers to select the best AI tool for specific tasks.

Practical impact

Developers can install OpenSider for VS Code by pasting a specific prompt into their local AI agent (e.g., Claude Code, Codex). This prompt initiates the download and installation of the .vsix file for the extension. Once installed, an OpenSider icon appears in the VS Code activity bar. The extension moves to the secondary sidebar, adjacent to Copilot Chat, upon first opening. Users can update or uninstall the extension through similar one-step prompt commands. The extension displays a ring next to the model name indicating context usage reported by the agent. It also supports skills, allowing users to type '/' to list installed skills and apply them at the caret. Prompts sent while another turn is running are queued, with options to reorder them.

Caveats and source limits

The source material indicates that OpenSider for VS Code is a fresh release with version v0.1.0. It is described as having 0 stars and 0 forks on GitHub at the time of this report, suggesting it is a very new project. The extension requires users to have a running Agent CLI program already installed on their machine before installation. The specific performance benchmarks or comparisons against other tools like GitHub Copilot Chat are not provided in the source. The exact list of all supported ACP agents beyond those explicitly mentioned is also not detailed.