Goose

Free plan APILinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

What Goose is

Goose is an open-source AI agent that runs on your machine for code, research, writing, workflow automation and data analysis. It offers a native desktop app, command-line interface and API, with self-hosted use and standalone desktop operation. Goose works with more than 15 model providers, including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Ollama, OpenRouter, Azure and Bedrock. Through the Model Context Protocol, it connects to more than 70 extensions for databases, APIs, browsers, GitHub and Google Drive. Portable YAML recipes can package instructions, extensions, parameters and subrecipes into workflows, while Goose Desktop extensions can display buttons, forms and visualizations. Listed controls include prompt-injection detection, tool permissions, sandbox mode and an adversary reviewer. Permission modes are autonomous, manual approval, smart approval and chat only, with autonomous as the default. Goose is free under Apache 2.0, but provider credits may be required and providers can impose rate limits. Conversations and accessed information may be sent to the selected provider.

Who it suits

Goose fits developers and other users who want a local agent for code, workflows, research, writing, automation or data analysis. It also suits users needing CLI, desktop or API interfaces.

What it does well

Runs locally with self-hosted option
More than 15 model providers
Over 70 MCP extensions
Reusable YAML recipes
Multiple permission modes

What to know first

Provider credits may be required
Providers may impose rate limits
Prompt checks may miss sophisticated threats
Data may be sent to model providers

Limits

Goose itself is free, but the selected model provider may require available credits and may enforce usage rate limits. Conversations, prompts, and information Goose accesses may be sent to that provider and handled under its data policies.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Goose	Open source · Apache 2.0 · LLM provider usage may require separate credits	Free

As goose-docs.ai lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://goose-docs.ai/
Install the native desktop app or use the CLI
Connect a selected model provider
Choose a permission mode such as autonomous, manual approval, smart approval, or chat only
Add MCP extensions or YAML recipes for your workflows
Use the API when embedding Goose in another application

Verdict

Goose combines local agent interfaces, broad provider support and extensible workflows under an Apache 2.0 license. Users should review provider data policies and understand that its security checks are safeguards, not guarantees.

Questions

Is Goose free?

Yes. The Goose plan is free and is open source under the Apache 2.0 license. Model-provider usage may require separate credits.

Which interfaces does Goose provide?

Goose offers a native desktop app, a CLI, and an API. It supports Linux, macOS, Windows, API use, and self-hosting.

Which model providers work with Goose?

Goose works with more than 15 providers, including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Ollama, OpenRouter, Azure, and Bedrock.

What integrations are available?

Goose connects to more than 70 Model Context Protocol extensions, including databases, APIs, browsers, GitHub, and Google Drive.

What permission modes are available?

Modes include autonomous, manual approval, smart approval, and chat only. Autonomous mode is the default.

What happens to data sent to a provider?

Conversations, prompts, and information Goose accesses may be sent to the selected LLM provider and are subject to that provider’s data policies.

Facts from Goose's own pages

Apps: Goose offers a native desktop app, a CLI, and an API. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Data handling: Conversations, prompts, and information Goose accesses may be sent to the selected LLM provider and subject to that provider’s data policies. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Integrations: Goose connects to more than 70 extensions through the Model Context Protocol, including integrations for databases, APIs, browsers, GitHub, and Google Drive. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Intended users: The project describes Goose as a general-purpose agent for developers and other users who want help with code, workflows, research, writing, automation, or data analysis. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Interfaces: Goose provides a native desktop app, a CLI, and an API for embedding it in other applications. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
License: The site identifies Goose as open source under the Apache 2.0 license. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
MCP Apps: Extensions can render interactive interfaces such as buttons, forms, and visualizations inside Goose Desktop. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Model providers: Goose works with more than 15 providers, including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Ollama, OpenRouter, Azure, and Bedrock. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Models: Goose works with more than 15 providers, including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Ollama, OpenRouter, Azure, and Bedrock. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Permission modes: Permission modes include autonomous, manual approval, smart approval, and chat only; autonomous mode is the default. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Platforms: The desktop app is available for macOS, Linux, and Windows. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Privacy: Anonymous usage metrics are collected only when the user opts in, and the documented metrics exclude conversations, code, tool arguments, error messages, and personal data. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Provider billing: Goose may require available credits in the selected LLM provider account, and providers may impose usage rate limits. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Goose is a general-purpose AI agent that runs on your machine for research, writing, automation, data analysis, and other tasks. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Recipes: Recipes are portable YAML workflow configurations that can include instructions, extensions, parameters, and subrecipes. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Security: The site lists prompt injection detection, tool permission controls, sandbox mode, and an adversary reviewer as security features. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Security controls: Goose offers prompt injection detection, tool permission controls, sandbox mode, and an adversary reviewer for unsafe actions. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Security limitation: Prompt injection checks are a safeguard and may not detect novel or sophisticated threats. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The project directs users to its Discord community for questions and help. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026
What it does: Goose is an open-source general-purpose AI agent that runs on your machine for code, research, writing, automation, and data analysis. · goose-docs.ai, 11 Oct 2026