# Code Agent in VSCode **URL:** \ **Category:** Discussion & Solutions\ **Tags:** solved\ **Created:** [March 16, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/code-agent-in-vscode/319748 "2026-03-16T22:29:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Andrew\_Phiri](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/andrew_phiri/32/162708_2.png) [@Andrew\_Phiri](https://onehack.st/u/Andrew_Phiri)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/code-agent-in-vscode/319748/1 "2026-03-16T22:29:54Z")
Help me with a Ai agent to use in VSCode like codex ---
**Author:** ![Fam](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/fam/32/154440_2.png) [@Fam](https://onehack.st/u/Fam)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/code-agent-in-vscode/319748/2 "2026-03-17T03:00:36Z")
* * * If you’re looking for an AI coding agent in VS Code that’s closest to the old OpenAI Codex experience (inline completions + chat + agent-like capabilities), here are the strongest options right now in early 2026: 1. **GitHub Copilot** — Still the most seamless “just works” choice for most people 2. **Claude Code** (Anthropic’s extension) — Currently topping many developer leaderboards for reasoning & agentic tasks 3. **Continue.dev** — Open-source & very flexible (my personal daily driver when I want control) 4. **Codeium / Windsurf** — Best truly free unlimited option 5. **Cursor** (if you’re open to leaving pure VS Code) It’s a VS Code **fork** with much deeper AI integration (Composer for multi-file edits, full-project agent mode). Many devs who loved Codex now say Cursor feels like “Codex on steroids”. But it’s not an extension — it’s its own editor. Worth trying if you want the most agent-like experience. Quick ranking for VS Code **extensions** specifically (March 2026 vibe): - Best overall polish → GitHub Copilot - Best reasoning & complex tasks → Claude Code - Best free & customizable → Continue.dev - Best no-cost unlimited → Codeium/Windsurf I’d start with **Continue.dev** + a good API key (Claude or GPT-5.4 family), or just install Copilot if you want zero config. What kind of projects are you working on (language, size of codebase, solo vs team)? That usually helps narrow it down more. Happy coding! ---
**Author:** ![NoBody](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/nobody/32/163880_2.png) [@NoBody](https://onehack.st/u/NoBody)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2026, 1:09am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/code-agent-in-vscode/319748/3 "2026-03-29T01:09:06Z")
You’re looking for something that actually _builds things_ for you — not just autocomplete — and yeah, that exists for free right now, and it’s stupidly easy to set up. 🟢 **Right now** (2 minutes): Open VSCode → Extensions → install **[Gemini Code Assist](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Google.geminicodeassist)** → sign in with your Gmail → toggle **Agent** mode on → tell it what to build. That’s it. No API key, no credit card, no terminal commands. You get 240 agent requests/day — for context, Copilot Free gives you 50/month total. 🔵 **This weekend** (if you want more options): Install **[GitHub Copilot](https://github.com/features/copilot/plans)** alongside it (free tier, 50 requests/month — here’s the part nobody tells you: after those 50 run out, it keeps working on a free model, just slightly dumber). If you’re a student with a `.edu` email, apply for the **[GitHub Student Pack](https://education.github.com/pack)** — full Copilot Pro, completely free, 300 requests/month. | What you asked for | What works | Time to set up | | --- | --- | --- | | Free AI agent in VSCode | **Gemini Code Assist** (free, 240/day) | 2 min | | Something like Codex | Gemini Agent Mode does the same thing | 0 extra steps | | Don’t want to pay anything | Gmail account = full access, no card | Already have it | I’ve been using Gemini Code Assist daily — it reads your whole project, makes a plan, creates files, runs commands, and fixes its own mistakes. Closest thing to Codex you’ll get at $0. > **🛠️ Do Exactly This, In This Order** > > **Step 1 — Install Gemini Code Assist** > Open VSCode → press `Ctrl+Shift+X` → search `Gemini Code Assist` → click Install → click the ✨ icon in the sidebar → sign in with any Google account. > > **Step 2 — Switch to Agent Mode** > In the Gemini chat panel, you’ll see a toggle at the top that says **Agent**. Click it. This is the difference between “suggest code” and “build the whole thing.” > > **Step 3 — Give it a real task** > Don’t type “help me code.” Type what you actually want: > > ```auto > Create a REST API with Express.js that handles user login and registration with JWT tokens > > ``` > > It’ll show you a plan first. Read it → edit if you want → click Approve → watch it create files and write code across your project. > > > 💡 **The `/init` trick that changes everything:** Type `/init` in the Gemini chat before your first real task. It creates a `.gemini/styleguide.md` file in your project — this teaches the agent your coding style. After that, every agent session follows YOUR rules: naming conventions, indentation, patterns, everything. > > > 💡 **When it gets slow (and it will sometimes):** Switch the model from Gemini 2.5 Pro to **Flash** in settings — same quality for most tasks, way faster. If it gets stuck in a loop, click Stop → start a new chat. Don’t wait 10 minutes hoping it recovers. > > **Why Gemini Code Assist and not the others:** > > | Agent | Free Tier | Agent Mode | Setup | Catch | > | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | > | **Gemini Code Assist** | 180,000 completions + 240 agent/day | ✅ Full | Gmail only | Can be slow during peak hours | > | GitHub Copilot Free | 2,000 completions + 50 requests/month | ✅ Limited | GitHub account | 50 requests = ~5 agent sessions/month | > | Roo Code | Extension free, API costs | ✅ Full | Need API key | Stability issues, not beginner-friendly | > | Cline | Extension free, API costs | ✅ Full | Need API key | Requires configuring a provider | > | Kilo Code | Extension free + $20 credits | ✅ Full | Sign up | Credits run out, then BYOK | > > **If you’re a student — do this too:** > Apply for the [GitHub Student Developer Pack](https://education.github.com/pack) with your `.edu` email or student ID. Takes 1-3 days to approve. You get Copilot Pro free — unlimited completions + 300 premium agent requests/month. Run both Gemini Code Assist AND Copilot side by side. > > 🚫 **What NOT to do:** > Don’t start with Roo Code or Cline — they’re powerful but you need to bring your own API key, configure providers, and troubleshoot tool-calling issues. That’s weekend #2 material, not day one. Don’t try running models locally on your laptop unless you have 16GB+ RAM — anything less and it’ll crawl. > > **Your situation → what to do:** > > | If you… | Do this | > | --- | --- | > | Just want it working NOW | Gemini Code Assist → Agent Mode → done | > | Have a `.edu` email | Also grab Copilot Pro free via Student Pack | > | Want to try multiple options later | Add Copilot Free alongside Gemini | > | Have 16GB+ RAM and love privacy | Explore Ollama + Roo Code on a weekend | > | Already have an API key (Anthropic/OpenAI) | Try Kilo Code or Cline with BYOK | What kind of stuff are you planning to build with it? If you tell me your project, I can point you to the exact agent mode prompt that’ll get you the best results. ---
**Author:** ![Wara\_Massa](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/wara_massa/32/37895_2.png) [@Wara\_Massa](https://onehack.st/u/Wara_Massa)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2026, 6:35am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/code-agent-in-vscode/319748/4 "2026-03-29T06:35:41Z")
Hi here. Thanks @NoBody for this interresting post. I’d like to add that Codex now works with free account. I haven’t count how many agent/day but or works some days and request you to upgrade. The solution : you need more account , then you can Switch easily between accounts. I don’t recommend github copilot any more, it gets dummy easily. You can also share your own expérience.. Good day!