Use Powerful AI Models for FREE in VS Code

Use Powerful AI Models for FREE in VS Code — OpenCode Zen + Kilo Code Setup (2026) – Tired of paying for AI coding tools every month? What if you could use powerful, curated AI models completely FREE inside VS Code — no subscription, no credit card, no limits?

You’re in the right place! In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to set up OpenCode Zen + Kilo Code inside VS Code and start using powerful free AI models that are specifically tested and optimized for coding agents. No credit card required, no expensive subscriptions, and no random unverified models — only the best, battle-tested ones.

Moreover, unlike OpenRouter which gives you 300+ general-purpose models, OpenCode Zen is different — it’s a curated, handpicked set of AI models that the OpenCode team has personally tested and benchmarked for coding workflows. As a result, every model on Zen actually works well for coding tasks.

Ready to unlock powerful free AI models inside VS Code — completely free? Let’s dive in!

What is OpenCode Zen?

OpenCode Zen is an AI model gateway built by the OpenCode team — the same team behind OpenCode, the open-source coding agent with over 195,000 GitHub stars and 16 million monthly developers.

First of all, Zen is not just a random collection of models. Instead, the OpenCode team personally tests, benchmarks, and curates every model that goes into Zen — verifying that each one actually performs well as a coding agent before making it available. This means you don’t have to waste time experimenting with random models that break in agentic workflows.

Furthermore, Zen works as an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint at https://opencode.ai/zen/v1, which means you can use it with any tool that supports a custom API base URL — including Kilo Code inside VS Code.

OpenCode Zen Free Tier and Pricing

The free tier gives you access to several genuinely free models at $0 input and $0 output tokens — meaning they cost nothing per request during their promotional window. Additionally, a Pro plan at $9.99/month gives you unlimited requests if you need more. However, free models do have rate limits during peak hours, so requests may throttle or slow down under heavy load.

What is Kilo Code?

Kilo Code is a free, open-source AI coding agent for VS Code with over 25,000 GitHub stars. It transforms VS Code into a fully agentic AI coding environment — it reads your files, writes and edits code, runs terminal commands, and understands your entire codebase.

Unlike GitHub Copilot or Cursor, Kilo Code lets you connect any OpenAI-compatible API — including OpenCode Zen — giving you total flexibility over which AI models power your coding assistant. In other words, you are never locked into one model or one provider.

Why Use OpenCode Zen with Kilo Code?

Here’s why this combination is special compared to other free AI setups:

• Curated for Coding – Every model is tested and verified by the OpenCode team for coding agent workflows
• Free Models Included – Real free models like Big Pickle, DeepSeek V4 Flash, MiMo-V2.5, Nemotron 3 Ultra, and more
• 100% Free to Start – No credit card required, free models available immediately
• OpenAI-Compatible API – Plugs directly into Kilo Code via the built-in OpenCode Zen provider
• Zero Data Retention – Prompts are not used for model training on Zen
• No Model Lock-in – Switch between Zen models or any other provider anytime
• Works Inside VS Code – Full Kilo Code agentic features: Plan mode, Act mode, file editing, terminal access
• Rotating Free Models – New free models added regularly as providers launch on Zen

Requirements To Set Up OpenCode Zen with Kilo Code

Before we start, make sure you have these ready:

1. VS Code Installed: First, download and install the latest version of Visual Studio Code from code.visualstudio.com. Any recent version works perfectly.

2. OpenCode Account: Next, you need a free account on opencode.ai to get your Zen API key. Simply sign up with Google or GitHub — no credit card required for the free tier.

3. Kilo Code Extension: Additionally, the Kilo Code extension needs to be installed in your VS Code. We will cover this in the steps below.

4. Internet Connection: Finally, a stable internet connection is required to connect to OpenCode Zen’s API servers.

⚠ Note: Free models on OpenCode Zen cost $0 per input and output token during their promotional window. However, free models rotate regularly, so always check opencode.ai/zen for the current free model list before relying on any specific one.

How To Use OpenCode Zen Free Models with Kilo Code in VS Code

Alright, let’s get into the full step-by-step setup! Follow along carefully and you’ll have powerful free AI coding models running inside VS Code in just a few minutes.

Step 1: Create Your Free OpenCode Account and Get Zen API Key

The first thing you need to do is create a free OpenCode account and get your Zen API key. Fortunately, this only takes about 2 minutes:

1. Go to opencode.ai/auth and click Sign In.

2. Sign up using your Google or GitHub account — completely free, no credit card needed for the free tier.

3. After signing in, go to the API Keys section in your OpenCode dashboard.

4. Click Create Key, give it a name (for example: kilocode-zen), and click Create.

5. Copy your API key immediately and store it safely. You will need it in Step 3.

⚠ Note: Keep your API key safe — never share it publicly or push it to GitHub. Otherwise, someone else could use your account.

Step 2: Install Kilo Code Extension in VS Code

Now that you have your API key, the next step is installing Kilo Code. Installing it is super simple — no terminal commands needed at all!

1. Open Visual Studio Code on your computer.

2. Click the Extensions icon in the left sidebar (it looks like 4 squares) or press Ctrl+Shift+X to open the Extensions tab.

3. In the search bar, type “Kilo Code” and press Enter.

4. Find the Kilo Code extension from the results and click the Install button.

5. Once installed, reload VS Code if prompted. You will then see the new Kilo Code icon appear in the left sidebar.

⚠ Note: That’s it — just search and install from the Extensions tab, exactly like any other VS Code extension. No terminal commands or manual setup required!

Step 3: Connect OpenCode Zen in Kilo Code Settings

This is the easiest part — just a few clicks and your API key, that’s it!

1. Click the Kilo Code icon in the VS Code left sidebar to open the Kilo panel.

2. Next, click the gear icon (⚙) at the top of the Kilo panel to open Settings.

3. Go to the Providers tab.

4. Scroll down and click “Show More Providers” — this expands the full list of supported providers.

5. In the search box, type “zen” — you will immediately see OpenCode Zen appear in the list. Click on it.

6. Paste your OpenCode Zen API key in the API Key field.

7. Finally, click Save — and that’s it! OpenCode Zen is now connected. No Base URLs, no extra config, nothing!

⚠ Note: This is the simplest and fastest way to connect OpenCode Zen — Kilo Code has built-in native support for it. Just search “zen” in Show More Providers, paste your key, and save!

Step 4: Select a Free Model and Start Coding

Now let’s pick a free model from OpenCode Zen — this is super easy!

1. In the Kilo Code panel, click the Model Picker at the top.

2. In the model search box, type “free” — this will instantly filter and show you all the currently free models available on OpenCode Zen.

3. Pick any free model from the list — for example Big Pickle, MiMo-V2.5 Free, Nemotron 3 Ultra Free, and more.

4. Click on your chosen model to select it — and that’s it! You are now ready to start coding with free AI!

⚠ Note: Just type “free” in the model picker search box to instantly see all currently free models on OpenCode Zen. Since the free model list rotates regularly, this search trick always shows you the latest free options available right now!

• How To Install Ubuntu 25.10 On Android Without Root
• How to Install LibreOffice on Android Using Kali Linux or Ubuntu in Termux
• How to Install Cursor AI Code Editor on Android Using Kali Linux or Ubuntu in Termux
• Top Tips to Improve Smartphone Performance for Playing Rummy and Teen Patti
• How To Install Node JS On Android Phone With VS Code Editor

Step 5: Use AI to Code Faster in VS Code

You’re all set! Simply type your request in the Kilo Code chat panel and hit Enter — the AI does the rest. Here’s what you can do:

• Write entire functions and components from a simple description
• Use Plan mode to let the AI plan changes before executing them
• Use Act mode for direct file editing and terminal command execution
• Debug errors, explain code, and refactor existing projects
• Run the AI as a fully autonomous coding agent on complex tasks

Best Free Models on OpenCode Zen for Coding (2026)

Here are the best free models currently available on OpenCode Zen. All of these are handpicked and tested by the OpenCode team specifically for coding workflows.

⚠ Note: Free models on Zen cost $0 per input and output token during their promotional window — but they rotate regularly. They also throttle during peak hours. Therefore, always verify the current free models by typing “free” in the Kilo Code model picker or checking opencode.ai/zen.

1. Big Pickle 🥒 (Model ID: big-pickle)

Big Pickle is one of the most talked-about models on OpenCode Zen — a mysterious stealth model from an unnamed lab that performs surprisingly well for coding tasks. Moreover, it’s completely free and has become a community favorite. The name alone makes it iconic!

Best for: General coding, code generation, debugging, and everyday tasks.

2. DeepSeek V4 Flash Free (Model ID: deepseek-v4-flash-free)

DeepSeek V4 Flash is a sparse mixture-of-experts model with 13B active parameters out of 284B total — making it one of the strongest free coding models available. Furthermore, it excels at code generation, reasoning, and agent workflows. It is available free on Zen for a limited promotional period.

Best for: Complex code generation, long-context reasoning, and large codebases.

3. MiMo-V2.5 Free (Model ID: mimo-v2.5-free)

MiMo-V2.5 is a compact but capable reasoning model optimized for coding tasks. As a result of its smaller size, it’s fast, efficient, and performs well on function generation and code completion tasks. It is available free on OpenCode Zen during the promotional window.

Best for: Fast code completion, function generation, and lightweight coding tasks.

4. NVIDIA Nemotron 3 Ultra Free (Model ID: nemotron-3-super-free)

NVIDIA’s Nemotron 3 Ultra is a powerful 120B parameter model available free on OpenCode Zen. With a massive 1M token context window, it’s perfect for working on large codebases where you need to feed a lot of code context to the AI at once. In other words, it can hold your entire project in context simultaneously.

Best for: Large codebase analysis, long-context tasks, and complex multi-file refactoring.

5. North Mini Code (Model ID: north-mini-code)

North Mini Code is a compact model specifically designed for coding agents. It’s lightweight and fast — therefore, it’s perfect when you need quick responses for smaller tasks without burning through your daily request quota.

Best for: Quick code fixes, short tasks, and preserving your daily request quota.

OpenCode Zen API Details for Kilo Code

Here’s a quick reference table for the OpenCode Zen API configuration in Kilo Code:

Pro Tips: Get the Most Out of OpenCode Zen + Kilo Code

1. Check Zen Free Models Monthly – Free models rotate regularly on OpenCode Zen. Therefore, visit opencode.ai/zen at least once a month to see what’s currently free. Yesterday’s free flagship can become paid the same week a new one launches free.

2. Use Big Pickle for Everyday Tasks – For most everyday coding tasks — writing functions, fixing bugs, explaining code — Big Pickle handles them well. As a result, you can save your quota for heavier models when you really need them.

3. Use Nemotron Ultra for Large Codebases – On the other hand, when you need to analyze or refactor across many files, switch to Nemotron 3 Ultra. Thanks to its massive 1M token context window, it can hold your entire project in context at once.

4. Keep a Paid Provider as Backup – The Zen free tier is great for daily work. However, for the 10% of tasks that need a frontier model (Claude, GPT-5), connect OpenRouter or your own Anthropic API key alongside Zen. Consequently, your monthly cost only covers that 10%.

5. Pro Plan Is Worth It If You Code Daily – At just $9.99/month, the OpenCode Zen Pro plan gives you unlimited requests across all Zen models. In comparison, GitHub Copilot costs $10–$19/month and Cursor costs $20/month — so Zen Pro with Kilo Code is a serious bargain.

FAQs: OpenCode Zen + Kilo Code Free AI in VS Code

1. What is OpenCode Zen and how is it different from OpenRouter?

Answer: OpenRouter is a large model marketplace with 300+ general-purpose models from many providers. OpenCode Zen, on the other hand, is a small, curated set of models that the OpenCode team has personally tested and benchmarked specifically for coding agent workflows. As a result, every model on Zen is verified to actually work well for coding tasks, so you don’t waste time with models that break in agentic settings.

2. Is OpenCode Zen completely free?

Answer: Yes! The free models on Zen cost $0 per input and output token during their promotional window — no credit card required. Additionally, a Pro plan is available at $9.99/month for unlimited requests. However, individual free models rotate regularly as providers add promotional models.

3. Do I need a credit card to sign up for OpenCode Zen?

Answer: No! You can sign up at opencode.ai/auth with just a Google or GitHub account — no credit card required to access the free tier and free models.

4. How do I find all free models in Kilo Code?

Answer: Simply open the Model Picker in the Kilo Code panel and type “free” in the search box. As a result, all currently available free models on OpenCode Zen will instantly appear. This is the easiest way to always find the latest free models.

5. What free models are available on OpenCode Zen right now?

Answer: As of August 2026, free models on OpenCode Zen include Big Pickle, DeepSeek V4 Flash Free, MiMo-V2.5 Free, NVIDIA Nemotron 3 Ultra Free, and North Mini Code. However, free models rotate regularly — so always verify at opencode.ai/zen before relying on any specific one.

6. Why use Kilo Code with OpenCode Zen instead of OpenCode itself?

Answer: OpenCode is primarily a terminal-based agent — it runs in your terminal or CLI. Kilo Code, however, is a VS Code extension, so if you prefer working inside VS Code with a sidebar chat panel and full IDE integration, using OpenCode Zen’s API with Kilo Code gives you the best of both worlds — Zen’s curated models inside VS Code’s familiar interface.

7. Does OpenCode Zen use my prompts to train AI models?

Answer: No! OpenCode Zen has a zero data retention policy — your prompts and code are not used to train AI models. This is a significant advantage over some free AI services that use your data for training purposes.

8. Can I use both OpenCode Zen and OpenRouter in Kilo Code at the same time?

Answer: Yes! Kilo Code lets you configure multiple providers. As a result, you can have OpenCode Zen and OpenRouter both set up, then switch between them from the model picker depending on which model you need for each task.

9. What happens when a free model hits its rate limit on Zen?

Answer: If a free model throttles during peak hours, you’ll get a slow response or a rate limit error. In that case, simply switch to another free model in the Kilo Code model picker. Alternatively, you can upgrade to the $9.99/month Pro plan for unlimited unthrottled requests.

10. Does this setup work on Windows, Mac, and Linux?

Answer: Yes! Kilo Code is a VS Code extension that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Furthermore, OpenCode Zen is a cloud API, so it works on all platforms without any OS-specific setup.

Download Section:

Conclusion

Setting up OpenCode Zen + Kilo Code inside VS Code is honestly the smartest move you can make as a developer in 2026 — and it costs you absolutely nothing to get started. Unlike random model marketplaces, OpenCode Zen gives you a handpicked, battle-tested set of AI models that actually work well for coding. As a result, you spend less time troubleshooting and more time building.

Furthermore, with free models like Big Pickle, DeepSeek V4 Flash, MiMo-V2.5, and NVIDIA Nemotron 3 Ultra all available at zero cost, and the zero data retention policy giving you privacy peace of mind, this is a combination that’s hard to beat. Whether you are a beginner learning to code or a professional building complex apps, this setup gives you a real AI coding agent inside your editor — completely free.

And when you eventually outgrow the free tier, the $9.99/month Pro plan makes it one of the most affordable professional AI coding setups available today. So go ahead — use powerful AI models for FREE in VS Code, let Kilo Code handle the boring parts, and focus on building something amazing! 🚀