After 30 years building software and testing every AI coding assistant, I found one that actually works: Roo Code. It thinks in modes, runs locally, understands full codebases.
The story
I’ve spent three decades building software, and I’ve tested every AI coding assistant that’s come along. Most fall short in real-world use. Roo Code is different – it’s the first one that actually works the way developers need it to.
Here’s what sets it apart:
It thinks in modes, not just completions. Architect mode helps me plan from specs. Code mode handles implementation. Debug mode doesn’t guess – it adds logs, reflects, and confirms fixes before touching anything. Ask mode keeps me moving when I’m stuck. Each mode can use a different AI model, so I get the best tool for each job.
It’s local and private. Roo runs inside VS Code. My code stays on my machine. No forced cloud uploads, no third-party sharing. Perfect for NDA work or experimental projects where privacy matters.
It understands entire codebases. Semantic indexing means Roo actually gets my project structure, even across multiple repos. I can reference files, commits, images, terminal output – it has full context, not fragments.
It’s customizable. I can create custom modes for QA, docs, security – whatever I need. Assign different models, prompts, and permissions to each. Then share them with my team through the marketplace. No other assistant gives this level of control.
It handles real workflows. Boomerang tasks let me chain complex operations across modes without losing context. Terminal integration runs commands safely. Browser automation handles testing right from the editor.
After testing everything available, Roo Code is the only assistant that adapts to how I actually work – whether I’m doing dis
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