VS Code + Kilo + GLM Coding Plan + CC 2.0: STOP PAYING for CURSOR, CLAUDE with this OPEN Alternative

Key Concepts

• Kilo Code: A VS Code extension, fork of Rue and Klein, offering integrated autocomplete and agentic coding.
• GLM Coding Plan: A recommended coding plan providing access to GLM4.6, an all-around AI model.
• GLM4.6: A specific AI model, preferred for its versatility and performance in coding tasks.
• Open Router: A service for accessing various AI models, noted for its 10% markup fee.
• Code Stroll: The AI model used by Kilo Code for autocomplete functionality.
• Architect Mode: A specific mode within Kilo Code for planning new features.
• Claude Code: A terminal-based coder, recommended for users who prefer a terminal interface, especially when combined with the GLM coding plan.
• Open Weights: Refers to AI models where the model weights are publicly available, offering transparency and flexibility.
• Anthropic: The company behind Claude models, mentioned for its high pricing and harsh rate limits.

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Introduction and Motivation for Refreshing the Guide

The video introduces a refreshed guide for stopping the use of Cursor, driven by the discovery of a cheaper and better alternative to Cursor and Claude Code. The speaker aims to provide an updated setup that addresses previous complaints about complexity (e.g., installing two separate extensions) and cost, while offering superior performance and features. The core motivation is to empower users with a more efficient, cost-effective, and integrated AI coding environment.

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Recommended VS Code Extension: Kilo Code

The primary recommendation for the VS Code extension is Kilo Code.

• Origin and Evolution: Kilo Code is a fork of Rue and Klein. Initially, the speaker was skeptical due to a lack of new features, but it has recently gained significant improvements, including robust autocomplete integration.
• Advantages over Alternatives:
  • Integration: It combines both autocomplete and agentic coding functionalities into a single extension, simplifying the setup compared to previous recommendations of two separate extensions.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Its own Kilo Code provider does not charge a 10% markup fee, unlike Open Router, which is beneficial for users who want to use different models.
  • Performance and Model Support: Kilo Code is noted for its speed in adding new model supports. For instance, GLM 4.6 was added to Kilo Code immediately upon launch, whereas Klein took three days. This rapid integration is crucial for users who need to test models quickly.
  • Cleaner Implementation: It offers a cleaner implementation than Klein and Rue Code, which many users found cumbersome.
  • Niche Features: The speaker appreciates its simpler interface and some niche features.
• Autocomplete Model: Currently, Kilo Code uses Code Stroll for autocomplete, which is described as "pretty good at code completions." The speaker hopes for an option to change the autocomplete model in the future.

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Recommended Coding Plan: GLM Coding Plan

The video highly recommends the GLM Coding Plan for accessing the GLM4.6 model.

• Model Preference: GLM4.6 is highlighted as a "great all-around model" that can be configured for different scenarios with various agents. The speaker primarily uses it with Kilo Code but notes its compatibility with other setups.
• Pricing Structure:
  • Tiered Pricing: Three plans are available, with prices doubling across successive months.
  • Initial Discount: A significant 50% discount is offered for the first term, applicable to monthly, quarterly, and yearly plans.
  • Upgrade Flexibility: If a user starts with a cheaper monthly plan (e.g., $3) and later upgrades to a yearly plan, they still receive the 50% discount for the first month of the new plan. This allows users to test the service before committing to a longer-term plan.
• Cost Comparison: The GLM coding plan is presented as a "much cheaper alternative" to Claude Code and Cursor. Cursor, for example, costs $20 and has "really bad limits," while Claude Code's limits are also deemed "pretty bad." GLM is praised for its effectiveness in the speaker's tasks.

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Step-by-Step Setup Guide for Kilo Code with GLM Coding Plan

1. Install Kilo Code Extension: Open VS Code, go to extensions, search for "Kylo Code," and install it.
2. Access Kilo Code Sidebar: Once installed, locate and open Kilo Code in the VS Code sidebar.
3. Choose API Key Option: Select the "use your own API key" option. (Alternatively, users can use the Kilo Code provider for a $25 free credit, which also avoids markup fees).
4. Select Provider and Plan: Choose the "Z AI option," then select the "international coding plan."
5. Obtain and Paste API Key: Navigate to the API key section of your GLM coding plan, copy your API key, and paste it into Kilo Code.
6. Select Model: Choose the GLM4.6 model.
7. Ready to Use: The setup is complete, and you can now start using Kilo Code.

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Usage and Features of Kilo Code

• Different Modes: Kilo Code offers various modes for different scenarios. For example, the Architect mode is recommended for planning new features. The speaker mentions that different models can also be used for different tasks, with more details to follow in a future video.
• Customization: Users can create "rules/commands" and similar customizations, allowing for tailored interactions. The general usage involves simply typing what you want, and "it just works."
• Autocomplete Configuration:
  • Enable Autocomplete: Go to settings, find the autocomplete option, and enable "pause to autocomplete."
  • Configure Provider: Ensure either the Kilo Code provider, Open Router, or Code Stroll is configured to enable autocomplete functionality.
  • Customization Options: Kilo Code provides extensive customization for autocomplete, including setting delay, quick tasks, and manual autocomplete.
  • User Experience: It includes loaders and indicators, which enhance the user experience.

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Alternative: Claude Code with GLM Coding Plan (Terminal-Based)

For users who prefer a terminal-based coder, the speaker recommends combining Claude Code with the GLM coding plan.

• Setup: This involves editing the Claude settings file and inserting your API key.
• Effectiveness: This combination is highly effective because GLM is "super fine-tuned" for use with Claude Code, ensuring optimal performance.

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Conclusion and Main Takeaways

The speaker concludes by strongly recommending this setup as the "best alternative" currently available.

• Overall Value: It is described as "cheap, really good, and helps you break free from the non-openweight model providers."
• Simplicity and Effectiveness: The setup is "pretty simple but very effective," with the GLM coding plan bringing all components together.
• Kilo Code's Role: Kilo Code streamlines the process by integrating autocomplete and agentic coding into one extension, eliminating the hassle of managing separate tools.
• Claude Code's Role: Claude Code remains a valuable tool, especially when GLM is fine-tuned for it, offering excellent performance for terminal-based users.
• Economic and Ethical Advantages:
  • Price-to-Performance: The current price-to-performance ratio is "really good."
  • Breaking Free from Anthropic: This setup allows users to move away from Anthropic's "highly priced models" and avoid being "overcharged day by day," especially as Anthropic has recently made rate limits "more harsh on the clawed code plan."
  • Open Weights: A significant advantage of GLM is that it is "open weights," which is always a plus for transparency and flexibility.

The speaker encourages viewers to share their thoughts and subscribe to the channel.