Works where you launch it
Run `forge` inside a project and it works relative to that directory. There is no editor plugin and no separate workspace.
Forge reads, searches, runs commands, and edits files. Risky actions wait for your approval.
Forge is an open-source AI coding agent that runs in your terminal. It searches your codebase with ripgrep, executes shell commands, and edits files — every risky action pauses for your approval. Free, local-first, and model-agnostic via OpenRouter.
1 stars on GitHub~50k weekly downloadsUpdated Oct 2026
Open source (MIT). Requires Node.js 20+ and an OpenRouter API key.
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forge "Fix the login bug"
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▌ thinking...
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run_bash: rg -l "login" --type ts
src/auth/login.ts
Loading demo…
Built for real codebases
Forge starts in the folder you launch it from and works on the code that is actually there.
Searches with ripgrep
Finds definitions and usages with fast regex search that skips `node_modules`, build output and lockfiles, so results stay relevant.
Reads, runs and edits
Reads files, runs shell commands, creates files and makes targeted find-and-replace edits.
Delegates investigations
Hands self-contained research to a read-only sub-agent with its own context, then gets back a single summary.
Picks up where you left off
Conversations are saved in your project. Run `forge --resume` to continue the latest session, or pass a session ID.
Shows what it is doing
Streams responses and tool activity as they happen, with token usage and estimated cost for the session.
It asks before it acts.
Shell commands, file writes and edits each pause for a y or n. Reading files, searching and sub-agent investigations run without interruption.
Writes need approval
You see the exact command or edit before it runs.
Delegation stays read-only
The sub-agent can read and search, but it cannot change your files.
Stored on your machine
Sessions and your API key are saved locally. Anything Forge reads is sent to the model through OpenRouter as part of the conversation.
Forge is not a sandbox. Shell commands run with your operating-system permissions, so read each one before you confirm it.
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⚠ Allow: run_bash({"command":"pnpm test"})? (y/n)
Press y or n
Forge vs. Other AI Coding Agents
How Forge compares to popular alternatives on the dimensions that matter for terminal-first workflows.
| Feature | Forge | Cursor | Aider | Copilot | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environment | |||||
| Runs in terminal | |||||
| No IDE required | |||||
| Works in any project directory | |||||
| Licensing & Cost | |||||
| Open source (MIT) | |||||
| Bring your own API key | |||||
| No subscription required | |||||
| Free for commercial use | |||||
| Safety & Control | |||||
| Approval before every write | |||||
| Approval before shell commands | |||||
| Read-only sub-agent delegation | |||||
| Local session storage | |||||
| Capabilities | |||||
| Code search (ripgrep) | |||||
| File read/write/edit | |||||
| Shell command execution | |||||
| Session resume / persistence | |||||
| Token usage & cost tracking | |||||
| Model agnostic (OpenRouter) | |||||
Data accurate as of October 2026. Features may change — verify on each project's documentation.
View Forge source on GitHub
Install Forge
You need Node.js 20 or newer, an OpenRouter API key and ripgrep. Setup takes four steps.
1.
Install Forge
Install the Forge package globally with your preferred package manager.
2.
Install ripgrep
Install ripgrep for your operating system, then confirm `rg --version` works in a new terminal.
Then confirm rg --version works in a new terminal.
3.
Set your API key
Get a key from OpenRouter. Forge saves it in ~/.forge/config.json. Keep it private and out of version control. OpenRouter.
4.
Start Forge in your project
Try a task such as "Find and fix the bug in the login flow."
Once it is running
/helpShow available commands/sessionsList saved sessions/newStart a new session/clearClear the current display and usage counters/exitExit Forgeforge --resumeResume a sessionforge --resume SESSION_IDResume a session