Specialized shell companion vs general coding agent
| Feature | Caro | OpenCode |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | ||
| Works offline | ||
| Privacy-first design | ||
| Rule-based safety checks | ||
| Blocks dangerous commands | ||
| Multi-backend support | ||
| Shell command specialist | ||
| General code editing | ||
| File refactoring |
OpenCode is a general-purpose AI coding agent. It can edit files, refactor code, explain codebases, and run terminal commands. It's designed to be a comprehensive coding assistant.
Caro intentionally does one thing well: helping you remember and safely execute shell commands. It's a specialized sub-agent, not a full coding assistant. This focus allows for deeper expertise in shell workflows and stronger safety guarantees.
OpenCode generates commands without systematic pre-execution validation. While you can review commands before running them, there's no dedicated layer that catches dangerous patterns.
Caro validates every command against 52+ predefined safety patterns. Commands like rm -rf /, fork bombs, and system-breaking operations are blocked before they're ever shown to you. Safety isn't optional—it's built into the core.
These tools can work together! Use OpenCode for general coding tasks—editing files, explaining code, refactoring. When you need shell command help with safety guarantees, reach for Caro.
Caro is designed to be a focused companion, not a replacement for broader tools. Its lightweight, specialized nature makes it easy to add to any workflow without overlap.
OpenCode supports local operation with various model backends, though some configurations may require internet for model downloads or API calls.
Caro is designed offline-first from the ground up. Once you have local models configured, it never needs internet. Perfect for air-gapped environments, flights, or restrictive networks.
Or use both—they complement each other well!
Add Caro to your toolkit for shell command expertise with guardrails.