Nanocoder
FreePrivate, local-first agent for Ollama and LM Studio.
FreeFree tier
Inputs: text, codeOutputs: text, code
About Nanocoder
Nanocoder is an open-source coding agent that runs in the terminal, built by the Nano Collective community. It allows users to bring their own model (local via Ollama or any OpenAI-compatible API such as OpenRouter, Anthropic, and Google) and keeps code on the user's machine. It emphasizes privacy, local-first operation, and has no paid tiers. Installation is available via npm, Homebrew, and Nix Flakes. Features include multiple screen modes (inline and fullscreen), CLI modes (normal, auto-accept, yolo, plan), and full programmatic control via flags.
Key Features
Model-agnostic: works with local models via Ollama and any OpenAI-compatible API (OpenRouter, Anthropic, Google)
Privacy-respecting and local-first: code stays on user's machine
No closed-source features or paid tiers
Community-driven by Nano Collective, not a company
Multiple screen modes: inline (default) and fullscreen (--alt-screen)
Multiple CLI modes: normal, auto-accept, yolo, plan
Installation via npm, Homebrew, and Nix Flakes
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open source and free, no paid features
- Privacy-focused: code never leaves the user's machine when using local models
- Supports a wide range of models (Ollama, OpenAI-compatible APIs)
- Community-driven, not controlled by a single company
- Flexible CLI with multiple modes and screen options
Cons
- Requires terminal usage, no GUI
- Users must bring their own model and API keys (if using cloud APIs)
- Limited to coding agent tasks; not a general-purpose AI assistant
Best For
Running agentic coding tasks in the terminal with user-chosen modelsCode analysis and refactoring (e.g., analyze src/app.ts, refactor database module)Local-first development where privacy is a concernExperimentation with different AI models for coding
FAQ
What models does Nanocoder support?
Nanocoder supports local models via Ollama and any OpenAI-compatible API such as OpenRouter, Anthropic, and Google.
How do I install Nanocoder?
Install via npm with `npm install -g @nanocollective/nanocoder`, or use Homebrew or Nix Flakes.
Is Nanocoder free?
Yes, Nanocoder is completely free and open source with no paid tiers or closed-source features.
What are the different screen modes?
Nanocoder has Inline mode (default, messages printed into terminal scrollback) and Fullscreen mode (with --alt-screen flag, uses alternate buffer with in-app scrolling).
What CLI modes are available?
Modes include normal, auto-accept, yolo, and plan, set via --mode flag.