VSCode + RooCode + Gemini CLI: STOP PAYING for CURSOR with this OPENSOURCE & LOCAL Alternative

Key Concepts

• Cursor's pricing changes and user backlash
• Alternatives to Cursor: Zed, VS Code with plugins
• Ninja Chat: AI platform with multiple models
• Root Code/Kilo Code: Open-source AI coders
• API key management and providers (Requesty, OpenRouter)
• AI models: Claude 3, GPT-4o, Gemini 2.5 Pro/Flash
• Autocomplete options: KiloComplete, Gemini Code Assist
• Gemini CLI: Command-line interface
• Free tiers and rate limits

Cursor's Downfall and the Need for Alternatives

The video begins by addressing the recent changes to Cursor's pricing model, specifically the introduction of a $200 plan and the effective crippling of the $20 plan through rate limiting. The speaker highlights the user backlash and the trend of users seeking alternatives. He points out that this situation validates his earlier warnings about Cursor's unsustainable business model, which involved attracting users with VC funding and then drastically increasing prices.

Editor Choices: Zed vs. VS Code

The speaker recommends two primary code editors as alternatives to Cursor:

• Zed: A fast and well-made editor, but with limited plugin support. It's suitable for users who prioritize speed and low memory footprint over extensive plugin options.
• VS Code: A more versatile editor with a vast ecosystem of plugins. The speaker focuses on VS Code for the rest of the video. He advises against using the built-in GitHub Copilot.

Ninja Chat: An All-in-One AI Platform (Advertisement)

The video includes a sponsored segment for Ninja Chat, an AI platform offering access to multiple AI models (GPT-4o, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, Gemini 2.0 Flash) for $11 per month. Key features include:

• AI playground for comparing model responses
• Mind map generator
• Basic plan: 1,000 messages, 30 images, 5 videos monthly
• Discount codes: king25 (25% off any plan), king40yearly (40% off annual subscriptions)

Root Code and Kilo Code: Open-Source AI Coders

The speaker recommends Root Code or Kilo Code for AI-assisted coding. These are forks of Klein with added features.

• Root Code: Requires setting up API keys for multiple providers. OpenRouter can be used for a unified credit balance, but it charges a margin on token costs.
• Kilo Code: A fork of Root Code with quality-of-life improvements. It offers $20 in free credits and charges no margin on recharges.

The speaker emphasizes the flexibility of open-source options, allowing users to experiment and find what works best for them.

Setting up Root Code/Kilo Code

1. Navigate to settings and create a new profile.
2. Choose a provider (e.g., Requesty, which offers more customization than OpenRouter).
3. Select an AI model (Claude 3, GPT-4o, Gemini 2.5 Pro). The speaker prefers Gemini 2.5 Pro for front-end tasks due to its 1 million token context window.
4. Configure other settings as desired (defaults are generally good).

Autocomplete Options: KiloComplete and Gemini Code Assist

The video presents two options for code autocomplete:

• KiloComplete: Enabled in Kilo Code's settings, using Gemini Flash as the provider.
• Gemini Code Assist: A free option from Google, providing 6,000 chat completions and 240 chat engagements per day. It also includes an agent mode.

Gemini CLI: Command-Line Interface

The speaker mentions Gemini CLI as a good, free alternative to Claude Code's CLI (which is part of the $200 plan). Gemini Code Assist also offers free usage limits.

Free Tiers and Model Choices

Gemini 2.5 Pro has a free tier with approximately 200 requests per day, but it can be slow. The speaker reiterates that the choice of AI model depends on individual preferences and needs.

Conclusion

The video concludes by summarizing the benefits of using the presented alternatives to Cursor: lower cost, greater control, and potentially better performance. The speaker shares his personal experience of using the Root Code setup daily and preferring it over other options like Windsurf. He encourages viewers to share their thoughts and support the channel through Superthanks or channel membership.