Product Introduction
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- It eliminates inconsistencies in model performance across providers by pre-testing configurations, ensuring optimal results for code generation, refactoring, and debugging tasks.
- The product targets developers and enterprises building AI-powered coding tools who require reliable, production-ready model access without infrastructure overhead.
- 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
- Unlike generic AI marketplaces, opencode zen exclusively focuses on coding-optimized models, with performance benchmarks tailored to code completion and syntax accuracy.
- 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.
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.