RooCode

Free

An AI-powered autonomous coding agent integrated directly into VS Code. [#opensource](https://github.com/RooCodeInc/Roo-Code)

FreeFree tier

Type

Open Source

Company

Roo Code, Inc.

Visit Website GitHub (40 stars)

About RooCode

Roo Code is an open-source AI-powered coding agent that integrates directly into VS Code, providing a full team of AI agents to assist with software development. It supports multiple modes including Code, Architect, Ask, Debug, and Custom Modes, allowing users to generate code from natural language, refactor and debug existing code, write documentation, answer codebase questions, and automate repetitive tasks. The tool utilizes MCP servers for extended capabilities and is licensed under Apache 2.0. Note: The Roo Code extension was shut down on May 15, 2026, and the repository is now archived and read-only. Alternatives include ZooCode and Cline.

Key Features

Generate code from natural language descriptions and specs

Adapt with modes: Code, Architect, Ask, Debug, and Custom Modes

Refactor and debug existing code

Write and update documentation

Answer questions about your codebase

Automate repetitive tasks

Utilize MCP servers for expanded functionality

Pros & Cons

Pros

Fully open source with Apache 2.0 license
Free to use
Multiple specialized modes for different development tasks
Integrates directly into VS Code
Supports MCP servers for tool extensibility
Community-driven with active forks available

Cons

Repository archived and no longer maintained as of May 15, 2026
Requires VS Code as the editor environment
Shutdown may affect stability and future support

Best For

Generating code from natural language promptsPlanning system architectures and migrationsDebugging and tracing issues in codeWriting and updating project documentationAnswering questions about a codebaseAutomating repetitive development tasks

FAQ

What happened to Roo Code?

The Roo Code extension was shut down on May 15, 2026. The repository is now archived and read-only. For alternatives, check out ZooCode (a community fork) or Cline (the original project Roo Code was forked from).

Is Roo Code free to use?

Yes, Roo Code is open source and free to use. It is licensed under Apache 2.0.

What modes does Roo Code support?

Roo Code supports Code mode for everyday coding, Architect mode for planning systems, Ask mode for quick answers, Debug mode for tracing issues, and Custom Modes for specialized workflows.