$3 GLM Coding Plan + $10 Copilot: $13 is ALL YOU NEED to have a SOTA AI Coder! Bye Claude Code!

Key Concepts

• AI Subscriptions: The increasing cost and complexity of managing multiple AI service subscriptions.
• GLM Coding Plan: A low-cost AI subscription ($3-$6) offering good coding capabilities, comparable to or better than some higher-tier models for specific tasks like design.
• GPT-5 Mini: A model available through the ZAI International Coding Plan, offering unlimited usage for a set price and suitable for general tasks.
• GPT-5 CodeX: A model recommended for debugging and planning tasks, known for its effectiveness.
• Claude 4.5 Sonnet: A model accessible through the ZAI International Coding Plan, considered a strong option for planning and debugging.
• GitHub Copilot: A tool that can be integrated into IDEs like VS Code, offering AI-powered coding assistance. The video discusses using its API through a third-party tool.
• ZAI International Coding Plan: A $10 subscription providing access to a wide range of AI models, including GPT-5 Mini, Gro Code Fast, Claude 4.5 Sonnet, and GPT-5 CodeX, with seemingly generous or unlimited usage for many.
• Kilo Code: A VS Code extension that allows for the configuration and use of multiple AI models and APIs within the IDE.
• VS Code LM API: An API that enables tools like Kilo Code to interface with and utilize GitHub Copilot's models.
• Agent Modes (Architect, Code, Ask, Debug, Orchestrator): Different functional modes within Kilo Code, each configurable with specific AI models based on their strengths.

AI Subscription Management and Cost-Effectiveness

The video addresses the challenge of managing AI subscriptions in the current landscape, highlighting the desire for budget-friendly options. The speaker expresses a preference for smaller, low-cost subscriptions like the GLM coding plan, which costs around $3-$6 and provides sufficient functionality for free use.

Model Comparisons and Strengths

• GLM: Praised as one of the best coding models, superior to "Haiku" and on par with "Sonnet." It is particularly favored for its design capabilities, producing "really sick designs." However, it is noted as being "a bit weak at planning."
• GPT-5 CodeX: Recommended for planning tasks, though it can become costly.
• Claude 4.5 Sonnet: Considered a strong alternative for planning tasks.
• GitHub Copilot: While not directly used as a primary interface in the proposed setup, its "agent mode" is gaining praise. The video's trick allows leveraging Copilot's functionality without altering the coder's interface.

The ZAI International Coding Plan: A Comprehensive Solution

A key focus is the ZAI International Coding Plan, priced at $10. This subscription offers significant value by providing:

• Unlimited access to GPT-5 Mini and Gro Code Fast.
• Access to Claude 4.5 Sonnet and GPT-5 CodeX.
• Access to "almost all kinds of models that you'd need."

While the plan has limits, the speaker finds them generous and rarely encountered. The plan is presented as a superior alternative to "Cursor" due to its clearer pricing and broader model access, and more reliable than "Anthropic's rug pulls."

Strategic Pairing of Subscriptions

The recommended strategy involves combining the GLM coding plan with the ZAI International Coding Plan. This pairing costs between $13 and $16 in total, which is deemed more affordable than "Cursor" while offering a wider array of models.

• GLM: Used as the primary editor due to its excellent coding and design capabilities.
• ZAI Plan (via Copilot API): Used for specific tasks where GLM might be weaker, such as planning or complex debugging, by leveraging models like GPT-5 CodeX or Sonnet.

Configuration with Kilo Code in VS Code

The video provides a step-by-step guide on configuring these subscriptions within VS Code using the Kilo Code extension:

1. Install Kilo Code: Search for and install "Kilo Code" from the VS Code marketplace.
2. Create ZAI Profile:
   • Navigate to Kilo Code settings.
   • Create a new profile named "ZAI."
   • Set the provider to "ZAI."
   • Select the "international coding plan" option.
   • Enter the API key obtained from the ZAI website.
3. Create Copilot Profile:
   • Create another profile, named "Copilot."
   • Select the "VS Code LM API" as the provider. This enables Kilo Code to use Copilot models.
   • Choose the desired model (e.g., GPT-5 Mini for unlimited use, or Sonnet/CodeX for specific tasks). The speaker opts for GPT-5 Mini due to its unlimited nature.

Utilizing Agent Modes with Configured Models

Once configured, Kilo Code's different agent modes can be assigned specific models:

• Architect: Recommended models are GPT-5 CodeX or Sonnet for planning. GPT-5 Mini is also an option for saving credits, though it can sometimes "overthink."
• Editor: Consistently set to GLM 4.6 for its strong editing, tool call, and design capabilities. It avoids generating excessive markdown or "purple designs." If GLM is not preferred, GPT-5 Mini from the Copilot API can be used.
• Ask: Typically set to GPT-5 Mini.
• Debug: Always set to GPT-5 CodeX, which is described as "awesome at debugging."
• Orchestrator: This mode spawns multiple sub-agents and requires a well-configured model. The speaker does not use this mode extensively.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The speaker advocates for this setup as an affordable and powerful solution for managing AI coding tools. The combination of GLM for core editing and the ZAI plan (accessed via Copilot API through Kilo Code) for specialized tasks like planning and debugging offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness. The ability to switch between models like GPT-5 CodeX or Sonnet when GLM encounters issues is highlighted as a significant advantage. The setup is presented as a "worth it" and "pretty cool" option that the speaker intends to update on if further improvements are found.

Notable Statements

• "I like to be on a budget because it's always great to be on a budget."
• "But in the age of AI subscriptions, it gets very hard to manage."
• "I like the GLM model a lot. It is one of the best coders, way better than whatever the hell Haiku is, and on par with Sonnet. I even prefer it for designs over sonnet. It makes some really sick designs."
• "However, I find it a bit weak at planning and stuff like that."
• "GitHub's copilot is something that many of us may not give enough credit to but these days I hear a lot of people praising its agent mode and everything."
• "This costs only $10 and gives you unlimited access to GPT5 Mini and Gro Code Fast. It also gives you access to Claude 4.5 sonnet, GPT5 codecs, and almost all kinds of models that you'd need."
• "It basically gives you access to all kinds of models that you'd ever need, and pairing it with GLM is the best option."
• "It's also better than the rug pulls anthropic does."
• "I sometimes get frustrated with GLM as well when it gets stuck in an error and it's always good to have something like GPT5 codeex or sonnet to bring it back and then pave the way for GLM."