Open Pair

Free plan Extension

What Open Pair is

Open Pair is a free, open-source extension for collaborative editing between VS Code-compatible editors and Neovim, or between two compatible VS Code editors. Users can host sessions or join sessions hosted by VS Code-compatible editors or Neovim running live-share.nvim; both editor types can take part in one session. Editing tools include remote cursors and selections, follow mode, and read-only guest access. Hosts approve or deny connections and assign read-write or read-only access. The project describes direct TCP connections with AES-256-GCM end-to-end encryption, with the encryption key in the share URL fragment. Listed compatible editors include VS Code 1.85+, VSCodium, Cursor, Windsurf, and Google Antigravity. Neovim interoperability requires live-share.nvim protocol version 3 or later. Connections can use localhost.run, serveo.net, ngrok, bore.pub, or a local network or VPN without a tunnel. The shared terminal is a work in progress. Hosting shares only the first workspace folder, and an active network connection is required. Open Pair says a Microsoft account is not required and identifies its license as MIT.

Who it suits

It suits developers who want to edit collaboratively across compatible VS Code editors and Neovim. Neovim users need live-share.nvim protocol version 3 or later.

What it does well

Hosts can approve or deny incoming connections
Guests can have read-only or read-write access
Includes remote cursors, selections, and follow mode
Does not require a Microsoft account
Uses AES-256-GCM end-to-end encryption

What to know first

Requires an active network connection; no offline mode
Hosting shares only the first workspace folder
Shared terminal is still a work in progress
Neovim requires live-share.nvim protocol version 3 or later

Limits

Open Pair has no offline mode and requires an active network connection. A hosted session shares only the first workspace folder, while Neovim interoperability requires live-share.nvim protocol version 3 or later. The shared terminal is marked as work in progress.

Getting started

Install the Open Pair extension in a compatible editor
Use VS Code 1.85+, VSCodium, Cursor, Windsurf, or Google Antigravity
For Neovim, install live-share.nvim with protocol version 3 or later
Host a session or join one from a compatible editor
Choose a tunnel or use a local network or VPN
Approve connections and assign read-write or read-only access

Verdict

Open Pair brings together key editing and access controls for mixed-editor sessions. Note the workspace limit, network requirement, and Neovim protocol prerequisite before choosing it.

Questions

Is Open Pair free?

Yes. It is described as free and open source.

Which editors are supported?

The listed editors are VS Code 1.85+, VSCodium, Cursor, Windsurf, Google Antigravity, and Neovim through live-share.nvim.

Is a Microsoft account required?

No. The project says a Microsoft account is not required.

How are sessions connected?

Options include localhost.run, serveo.net, ngrok, bore.pub, or a local network or VPN without a tunnel.

What access can a host give guests?

Hosts can approve or deny connections and assign read-write or read-only access.

What license does Open Pair use?

The repository identifies it as MIT licensed.

Facts from Open Pair's own pages

Access control: Hosts can approve or deny each incoming connection and assign read-write or read-only access. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Accounts: The product description says no Microsoft account is required. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Approval controls: The host can approve or deny incoming connections and assign read-write or read-only access. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Collaboration features: Supported features include remote cursors and selections, follow mode, and read-only guest access. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Compatible editors: The README lists VS Code 1.85+, VSCodium, Cursor, Windsurf, and Google Antigravity as compatible editors. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Editing features: Listed features include remote cursors and selections, follow mode, and a read-only guest role. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Editor compatibility: The project lists VS Code 1.85+, VSCodium, Cursor, Windsurf, and Google Antigravity as compatible editors. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Encryption: The project describes direct TCP connections with AES-256-GCM end-to-end encryption. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Host and guest modes: Users can host sessions or join sessions hosted by VS Code-compatible editors or Neovim running live-share.nvim. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Hosting and joining: Users can host or join sessions, and VS Code and Neovim participants can join the same session simultaneously. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
License: The project is licensed under the MIT License. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Limitations: Hosting shares only the first workspace folder, the product has no offline mode, and Neovim compatibility requires live-share.nvim protocol version 3 or later. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Neovim integration: Neovim interoperability uses the live-share.nvim plugin, which must be running as host for a VS Code client to join a Neovim session. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Network requirement: The project has no offline mode and requires an active network connection. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
No Microsoft account: The project says a Microsoft account is not required. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: Open Pair enables real-time collaborative editing between VS Code and Neovim or between two VS Code-compatible editors. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Requirements: Using localhost.run or serveo requires ssh in PATH, while ngrok requires its CLI and an authentication token. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security: The project describes direct TCP connections with AES-256-GCM end-to-end encryption and includes the encryption key in the share URL fragment. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security reporting: The security policy asks users to report vulnerabilities privately through GitHub Security Advisories and says a response will arrive within 7 days. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security reports: The security policy asks users to report vulnerabilities privately through GitHub Security Advisories and says a response will arrive within 7 days. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Shared terminal: The shared terminal feature is marked as work in progress. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Tunnel options: Listed connection options include localhost.run, serveo.net, ngrok, bore.pub, and local network or VPN connections without a tunnel. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Tunnels: Documented tunnel options include localhost.run, serveo.net, ngrok, and local network or VPN connections. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Workspace limit: When hosting, only the first workspace folder is shared. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

Where Open Pair stands on Freedom251

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