Detailed Tool Overviews for Leading AI Coding Agents

Below are in-depth, feature-rich overviews for each prioritized coding agent, based on the latest available sources.
Each section is structured for clarity, with bullet points, tables, and technical details suitable for a university-level
research project.

Gemini CLI & Gemini Code Assist

Overview:
Gemini CLI is Google’s open-source, terminal-based AI coding agent, designed to bring Gemini 2.5 Pro’s capabilities
directly to developers’ command lines. It is part of the broader Gemini Code Assist suite, which also includes deep
IDE integration and GitHub pull request automation.
Key Features:
Gemini 2.5 Pro Model: Up to 1M token context window for massive codebases and complex tasks [1] [2] .
Terminal-First Agent: Run locally from your terminal; supports natural language requests for code explanation,
feature implementation, debugging, and command execution [1] .
IDE Integration: Gemini Code Assist brings Gemini 2.5 into your IDE with chat, code completion, and full-
function/file generation [2] .
Pull Request Automation: Gemini Code Assist for GitHub auto-reviews PRs, finds bugs/style issues, and
suggests or applies code changes via /gemini comments [2] .
Multi-File Editing: Supports editing and understanding across multiple files and the full project context [2] .
MCP (Model Context Protocol) Support: Integrates with ecosystem tools using standardized context
protocols [2] .
Human-in-the-Loop (HiTL): Ensures developer oversight for critical actions [2] .
Media Generation: Supports multimodal inputs (PDFs, sketches, images) and outputs (Imagen, Veo, Lyria) [2] .
Free Tier: 6,000 code and 240 chat requests daily in IDE; Gemini CLI offers 60 requests/minute, 1,000/day [2] .
Open Source: Available under Apache 2.0; extensible with custom prompts and instructions [1] .
Google Search Grounding: Real-time search integration for up-to-date context [2] .
Security: Designed for enterprise readiness and privacy.
Architecture Diagram (Mermaid):

graph TD
User -- Terminal/IDE --> Gemini_CLI
Gemini_CLI --API--> Gemini_2.5_Pro
Gemini_CLI --MCP--> Ecosystem_Tools
Gemini_CLI --GitHub--> PR_Automation
Gemini_CLI --Media--> Imagen/Veo/Lyria
Gemini_CLI --Search--> Google_Search

OpenCode (opencode-ai)
Overview:
OpenCode is a Go-based terminal AI assistant with a TUI, focused on developer productivity and extensibility. It
supports multiple AI providers and advanced session management.
Key Features:
Interactive TUI: Built with Bubble Tea for a smooth, responsive terminal experience [3] .
Multi-Provider Support: Works with OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, Groq, Azure
OpenAI, and OpenRouter [3] .
Session Management: Save and manage multiple conversation sessions for different projects or tasks [3] .
Integrated Vim-like Editor: For in-terminal code editing and message composition [3] .
Persistent Storage: Uses SQLite to store conversations and sessions [3] .
LSP Integration: Language Server Protocol support for code intelligence and navigation [3] .
 File Change Tracking: Visualizes and tracks file changes during sessions [3] .
External Editor Support: Launch your preferred editor for complex tasks [3] .
Named Arguments for Custom Commands: Create reusable, parameterized commands [3] .
Advanced AI Tools:
glob, grep, ls, view, write, edit, patch, diagnostics for file/code operations
bash for shell commands
fetch for HTTP requests
sourcegraph for public repo code search
agent for sub-task delegation [3] .
Tool Table Example:

Tool Description Parameters

glob Find files by pattern pattern, path

grep Search file contents pattern, path, include, literal_text

bash Execute shell commands command, timeout

fetch Fetch data from URLs url, format, timeout

patch Apply patches to files file_path, diff

Architecture Diagram (Mermaid):

graph TD
User -- TUI --> OpenCode
OpenCode --API--> LLM_Providers
OpenCode --LSP--> Language_Servers
OpenCode --DB--> SQLite
OpenCode --Editor--> Vim/External_Editor
OpenCode --FileOps--> File_System

Kilo Code
Overview:
Kilo Code is a VS Code extension that acts as a superset of previous tools (Cline, Roo), offering a unified experience
for coding, debugging, and automation with multi-provider support.
Key Features:
Unified Provider Experience: Access all OpenRouter models via native Kilo Code Provider; seamless
switching [4] .
Enhanced UI: Codicons, Tailwind CSS, improved transparency, and theme support [4] .
LiteLLM Integration: Use multiple AI providers through a single interface, reducing API key management [4] .
Prompt Caching: Automatic caching for Gemini models, saving tokens and improving performance [4] .
Expanded Language Support: Multilingual UI, including Dutch [4] .
Mode-Based Workflows: Specialized modes for coding, architecture, Q&A, debugging, and custom tasks.
Core Tools: File operations, terminal commands, web browser control, and MCP support.
Marketplace Integration: Access and share custom modes, tools, and workflows.
Local Model Support: Run models offline for privacy and speed.
Mermaid Syntax Error Fixing: AI-assisted diagram correction.
Sample Feature Table:

Feature Details

Unified Provider All OpenRouter models in one interface

Prompt Caching Reduces token usage, faster responses

Modes Code, Architect, Ask, Debug, Custom

Marketplace Share/download custom tools and workflows

Local Model Support Use models offline

Cursor
Overview:
Cursor is a VS Code fork with proprietary AI models and deep integration for code completion, multi-file editing, and
agentic workflows. It is a commercial leader in the space.
Key Features:
Tab Autocomplete: Predicts next edits with proprietary models.
Agent Mode (Ctrl+I): End-to-end task completion with multi-step reasoning.
Multi-File Editing: Composer tool for sweeping changes across codebases.
Custom Retrieval Models: For deep codebase understanding.
Automatic Terminal Command Generation: Suggests and runs shell commands.
Lint Error Detection/Fixing: Finds and fixes errors automatically.
Privacy Mode: SOC 2 certified; enterprise-ready.
Composer: Large-scale, multi-file code transformations.

Windsurf
Overview:
Windsurf is a next-gen, AI-native IDE with unique paradigms like Flows and Cascade, developed by Codeium.
Key Features:
Cascade Agent: Deep project understanding and multi-step task execution.
Flows Paradigm: Combines agents and copilots for flexible workflows.
Supercomplete: Predicts next actions, not just code snippets.
Windsurf Tab: Unlimited action prediction and suggestions.
Live Previews: Real-time website and app preview/editing.
One-Click Deployment: Push changes directly to production.
Memories System: Persistent context across sessions.
AI Rules Customization: Project-specific agent behaviors.

Plandex
Overview:
Plandex is an open-source, end-to-end AI coding assistant designed for ultra-large projects with robust automation
and review features [5] [6] .
Key Features:
Diff Review Sandbox: AI code changes are isolated for manual review before merging [5] [6] .
2M Token Context Window: Handles massive codebases and up to 20M tokens indexed [5] [6] .
Full Auto Mode: Autonomous planning, context loading, strategy, implementation, and command execution [5] .
Configurable Autonomy: Adjustable levels for cost/effort vs. outcome [5] .
Multi-Model Support: Switch between OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others [6] .
Project Map Generation: Tree-sitter parsing for 30+ languages; project structure visualization [6] .
Version Control Integration: Git branch management, auto-commit messages, and multi-path exploration [6] .
Automation Debugging: Detects/fixes terminal errors, supports build/test/deploy, browser debugging [6] .
Context Management: Loads files/directories on demand, auto-updates context [6] .
REPL Interaction Model: Fuzzy auto-complete, fast file loading, and task execution [6] .
Localized Deployment: Docker support, privacy-focused, cloud/local options [6] .
Chat Mode: Project-aware chat for code discussion and planning [6] .
Architecture Diagram (Mermaid):

graph TD
User -- CLI/Chat --> Plandex
Plandex --API--> LLM_Providers
Plandex --TreeSitter--> Project_Map
Plandex --Sandbox--> Code_Review
 Plandex --Git--> Version_Control
Plandex --Docker--> Local_Deployment

Deepseek Engineer
Overview:
Deepseek Engineer V2 is a free, AI-powered coding assistant with chain-of-thought reasoning, real-time
transparency, and robust automation for modern development workflows [7] .
Key Features:
Chain-of-Thought AI: Explains reasoning in real time, making decisions transparent [7] .
Natural Language Interaction: Accepts and processes complex, conversational requests [7] .
Function Calling: Native support for file operations, code editing, and task automation [7] .
Real-Time Reasoning Visibility: Shows step-by-step logic and error handling [7] .
Powered by Deepseek V3 and R1 Models: High precision and efficiency [7] .
Terminal Interface: Seamless integration for command-line workflows [7] .
Robust Error Handling: Designed for reliability in large, collaborative projects [7] .
Simple Setup: Python 3.11+, Git, VS Code, and Deepseek API key required [7] .
Adaptability: Suitable for both everyday coding and large-scale projects [7] .

Continue
Overview:
Continue is a leading open-source AI code assistant, emphasizing customization, context integration, and model
flexibility [8] .
Key Features:
VS Code/JetBrains Extensions: Deep IDE integration [8] .
Custom AI Assistants: Create assistants tailored to team/project needs [8] .
Model Agnostic: Connects with any LLM, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google [8] .
Contextual Integration: Pulls data from Jira, Confluence, and more for enhanced context [8] .
Autocomplete & Chat: Inline code suggestions and code-aware chat [8] .
Edit Function: Describe changes in natural language to modify code [8] .
Enterprise Ready: Stable, open-source, and extensible [8] .

Summary Table: Feature Comparison

Multi- Diff Auto File PR Custom Multi- Context Local
Tool Terminal IDE Chat Marketplace
Model Sandbox Mode Ops Review Modes File Size Model

Gemini 1M
✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ❌
CLI tokens

OpenCode ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ Provider ✔️ ❌ ❌

Kilo Code ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ Provider ✔️ ✔️ ✔️

✔️
Cursor ❌ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ Large ✔️ ❌ ❌
(partial)

Windsurf ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ Provider ✔️ ✔️ ❌

2M
Plandex ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️
tokens

Deepseek
✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ Provider ✔️ ❌ ❌
Eng.

Continue ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ ❌ ✔️ ✔️ Provider ✔️ ✔️ ✔️

If you need even more technical depth (e.g., API endpoints, command syntax, or changelog excerpts), or want
full diagrams for each tool, let me know which tools to expand further!
⁂

1. https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/25/google-unveils-gemini-cli-an-open-source-ai-tool-for-terminals/
2. https://codeassist.google
3. https://github.com/opencode-ai/opencode
4. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kilo-code_kilo-code-4230-all-the-models-activity-7328159996502851584-7-Za
5. https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPTCoding/comments/1jgmbsa/plandex_v2_an_open_source_ai_coding_agent_with/
6. https://www.kdjingpai.com/en/tool/plandex/
7. https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/ai-powered-coding-assistant-deepseek-engineer-v2/
8. https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/26/continue-wants-to-help-developers-create-and-share-custom-ai-coding-assistants/