In this video, the presenter pits Codex against OpenCode and Pi Agent across seven categories to determine which AI coding tool excels overall. Scores are awarded on a 1–5 scale, culminating in a final recommendation based on user preferences.
For setup and customization, all three tools offer quick terminal-based installation, but Codex gains an early advantage with its polished desktop app (Mac and Windows), whereas OpenCode’s desktop app is still in beta and Pi lacks one entirely. Customization depth varies significantly: OpenCode leads with a rich JSON configuration, primary/sub-agent system, and seamless tab‑based agent switching, earning a 5. Pi allows full prompt and theme customization via system.md and extensions but requires more manual effort, scoring a 4. Codex offers an intuitive app interface for themes, instructions, and even pets, yet it lacks the ability to switch agents directly—users must create sub‑agents—resulting in a 3.
- Provider choice — OpenCode supports roughly 100 providers (API keys and subscriptions), Pi offers about 33, and Codex is locked to OpenAI models or Ollama. 🏆 Winner: OpenCode
- Terminal workflow — OpenCode feels natural with agent switching, skill display, and smooth navigation; Pi shows skills at the top but has fewer shortcuts; Codex suffers from screen flickering during complex tasks and lacks skill visibility. 🏆 Winner: OpenCode
- Review flow — OpenCode provides clear to‑do breakdowns in both terminal and server (with git revert), while the Codex app offers a side‑panel review with edit/fork options but terminal readability is poor. Pi uses individual blocks but is less feature‑rich out of the box. 🏆 Winner: OpenCode
- Automations — Codex has built‑in scheduled tasks (manageable from the app); Pi has none; OpenCode relies on a third‑party extension (
opencodeuler). 🏆 Winner: Codex - Out‑of‑the‑box system — Codex includes automations, plugin installation, MCP, browser/computer use, hooks, work trees, and pets—a comprehensive suite. OpenCode balances features without bloat, while Pi is minimalistic, expecting users to build everything themselves. 🏆 Winner: Codex
Final scores: OpenCode 31.5, Codex 26, Pi Agent 25. Overall winner: OpenCode. The presenter recommends OpenCode for the best balance of customization, provider choice, terminal workflow, and review flow. If you prefer an integrated all‑in‑one experience with built‑in automations and a polished app, choose Codex. For a minimalistic, highly customizable setup that requires technical skill and time, Pi Agent is the right fit.