Cortex
Cursor-class agents in your VS Code — Auto routes models and Plan/Build, powered by your OpenCode subscription.
One AI account: OpenCode. Cortex has no separate signup — install the extension, paste your OpenCode API key once, and chat. Keys live in OpenCode’s local config.
What makes Cortex different?
Auto Plan → Build
Auto classifies intent (explore, plan, code, debug…) and picks the right model tier — then switches Plan or Build for you. Same agentic flow as Cursor, in your editor.
Your OpenCode models
Only models available on your plan show as usable. Free Zen stays unlocked; paid Zen and BYOK need an explicit unlock — no surprise locks or mystery failures.
Smart context
Lexical + semantic search, Perf/Quality toggle, and the active editor file attached every turn. The agent sees what matters — not the whole repo.
Policy Brain
Bring your Cursor rules and skills: .cursor/rules, .cortex/rules, SKILL.md, user rules, and memory. Migrate without rewriting your workflow.
Editor + chat
Ghost autocomplete, Inline Edit, terminal selection → chat, streaming bash with risk approval, parallel chat tabs, and Cursor-like per-hunk diffs. Approve every change — full IDE surface, not chat-only.
OpenCode in your VS Code
A lightweight extension, not a fork. Keep your editor and settings. OpenCode is the runtime; Cortex is the IDE layer in between.
Cortex vs the rest
Lightweight, OpenCode-native, in your VS Code — same agentic power, more freedom.
| Cortex | Cursor | Windsurf | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor | Your VS Code or compatible fork | Own editor (VS Code fork) | Own editor (VS Code fork) |
| Footprint | Lightweight VS Code extension | Full fork editor | Full fork editor |
| OpenCode | Native OpenCode.ai integration | Not OpenCode | Not OpenCode |
| AI account | OpenCode only (no Cortex signup) | Cursor account | Windsurf account |
| IDE UX | Polished agent UI in your VS Code | Built-in agent UX | Built-in Cascade UX |
| AI access | Your OpenCode subscription | Cursor subscription | Windsurf subscription |
| Cortex license | Free in early access; later one-time purchase | Subscription | Subscription |
| AI billing | OpenCode (external to Cortex) | Included in Cursor plan | Included in Windsurf plan |
| Model routing | Auto 2.0 intent + tier routing | Cursor model picker | Windsurf model picker |
| Rules / skills | .cursor + .cortex rules & skills | .cursor/rules & skills | Windsurf rules / flows |
| Agentic workflow | Auto Plan → Build with checklists | Agent mode with tools | Cascade with tools |
| Code control | Inline diff, accept/reject | Inline diff, accept/reject | Inline diff, accept/reject |
| Project context | Lexical + semantic + active file | @mentions + codebase index | @mentions + context flows |
Cortex is a VS Code extension, not a fork. Keep your editor and settings. It integrates OpenCode so you get a Cursor/Windsurf-like agent experience while you control your own OpenCode subscription — Cortex has no separate AI account.
Get started in 3 steps
No Cortex account. You only need OpenCode for AI — then install and connect.
Sign up or log in at opencode.ai. That subscription is your AI billing and model access. Cortex never creates a separate Cortex account.
Search "Cortex Agent" in Extensions, or install cortex-labs.cortex-agent from the VS Code Marketplace or Open VSX. Also install the OpenCode CLI (on Windows: opencode.exe on PATH).
Open Cortex — complete onboarding or Connect: Get API key at opencode.ai, paste it, Save. A project folder is optional (home directory works for general questions). Cortex writes OpenCode’s local auth first. Stronger models live under Models.