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opencode zen

AI models recommended for developers by the opencode team

2025-09-29

Product Introduction

  1. Opencode zen is a curated gateway providing pre-optimized, tested AI models specifically designed for coding agents, integrated as an optional provider within the opencode ecosystem.
  2. Its core value lies in offering developers pay-as-you-go access to high-performance models (e.g., GPT-5, Claude, Grok) without vendor lock-in, ensuring reliability and consistency for AI-driven coding tasks.

Main Features

  1. Opencode zen aggregates rigorously benchmarked models like Claude Opus 4.1 and GPT-5 Codex, validated for coding agent performance through collaboration with model providers and internal testing.
  2. It integrates seamlessly with opencode via API endpoints, allowing users to authenticate with a single API key and switch between models programmatically or via TUI/CLI tools.
  3. The platform employs transparent pay-as-you-go pricing with per-request billing, including free tiers for experimental models like Grok Code Fast 1 and Code Supernova during their feedback phases.

Problems Solved

  1. It eliminates inconsistencies in model performance across providers by pre-testing configurations, ensuring optimal results for code generation, refactoring, and debugging tasks.
  2. The product targets developers and enterprises building AI-powered coding tools who require reliable, production-ready model access without infrastructure overhead.
  3. Typical use cases include integrating GPT-5 for complex code synthesis, using Claude Haiku 3.5 for cost-sensitive batch processing, or testing stealth models like Code Supernova for experimental workflows.

Unique Advantages

  1. Unlike generic AI marketplaces, opencode zen exclusively focuses on coding-optimized models, with performance benchmarks tailored to code completion and syntax accuracy.
  2. It innovates by collaborating directly with providers to host dedicated model versions (e.g., GPT-5 Codex) fine-tuned for developer toolchains, unavailable through standard APIs.
  3. Competitive differentiation includes zero markup pricing (fees cover only processing costs), cached reads/writes for high-volume users, and guaranteed no data retention for most providers except specified free-tier models.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. How does data privacy work with opencode zen? All models except Grok Code Fast 1, Code Supernova, and OpenAI/Anthropic APIs follow strict zero-retention policies; free-tier models may use data for improvement, while OpenAI/Anthropic retain requests for 30 days per their policies.
  2. Are free models truly unlimited? Grok Code Fast 1 and Code Supernova are free temporarily for feedback collection, with usage quotas subject to change; production-grade models like Claude Haiku 3.5 use pay-as-you-go billing.
  3. How are billing calculations handled? Costs are calculated per 1M tokens with tiered pricing for high-volume usage (e.g., Claude Sonnet 4 costs $6/22.5 per 1M input/output tokens beyond 200K tokens), and credit card fees are passed through without markup.
  4. Can I use custom models alongside opencode zen? Yes, the platform operates as an optional provider within opencode, allowing simultaneous use of other model sources via standard provider interfaces without configuration conflicts.
  5. How frequently are new models added? The curated list updates quarterly based on benchmark results, with real-time API endpoint stability monitoring and versioning for backward compatibility.

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