SideCar

Free plan ExtensionLinuxMacWindows

What SideCar is

SideCar is a free, open-source, local-first AI coding assistant delivered as a Visual Studio Code extension for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It reads and edits files, runs tests, and iterates through an autonomous agent loop with 87 built-in tools covering file operations, shell, Git, web search, database queries, and code profiling. Code completion, chat assistance, codebase indexing, and terminal access are included. Smart Context uses AST extraction for JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Rust, Go, and Java/Kotlin. Review and Audit modes buffer writes for approval, while Shadow Workspaces apply changes in an ephemeral Git worktree. Documented backends include Ollama, Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter, Groq, Fireworks AI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, GitHub Copilot, Kickstand, and OpenAI-compatible servers. MCP client and server support works over stdio, HTTP, and SSE. The extension scans for secrets and vulnerability patterns and stores API keys in VS Code SecretStorage. The maker says there is no telemetry and local-model use keeps data on the user's machine. Visual Studio Code 1.116.0 or later is required.

Who it suits

SideCar suits VS Code users who want a free coding assistant with local Ollama models or optional cloud backends. It is aimed at developers comfortable with an agent that can use shell privileges.

What it does well

Free MIT-licensed VS Code extension
Provides 87 agent tools
Supports local and cloud backends
Buffers edits for review
Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux

What to know first

VS Code-only
Shell execution is not reliably sandboxed
Requires VS Code 1.116.0 or later
Ollama is required for local models

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	Free forever · MIT license · VS Code extension	Free

As github.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

SideCar combines completion, chat, indexing, and an autonomous coding agent while allowing local-model use. Its VS Code focus and shell-privilege warning are central considerations.

Facts from SideCar's own pages

Agent features: It provides an autonomous agent loop with 87 built-in tools, including file operations, shell, Git, web search, database queries, and code profiling. · marketplace.visualstudio.com, 11 Oct 2026
Coding agent: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Chat assistance: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Codebase indexing: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Code completion: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Code context: Smart Context uses AST-based extraction for JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Rust, Go, and Java/Kotlin. · nedonatelli.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Data handling: The maker says SideCar does not run its own telemetry and that local-model use keeps data on the user's machine. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Editing controls: Review and Audit modes buffer writes for approval, and Shadow Workspaces run changes in an ephemeral Git worktree. · marketplace.visualstudio.com, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Integrations: Documented backends include Ollama, Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter, Groq, Fireworks AI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, GitHub Copilot, Kickstand, and OpenAI-compatible servers. · marketplace.visualstudio.com, 11 Oct 2026
License: SideCar is open source under the MIT License. · nedonatelli.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
MCP: SideCar supports MCP client and server functionality over stdio, HTTP, and SSE transports. · marketplace.visualstudio.com, 11 Oct 2026
Notable limit: SideCar is VS Code-only, according to the maker. · marketplace.visualstudio.com, 11 Oct 2026
Requirements: SideCar requires Visual Studio Code 1.116.0 or later; Ollama is required only for local models. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security: The extension scans for secrets and vulnerability patterns, and stores API keys in VS Code SecretStorage rather than settings.json. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security limits: The maker says shell execution is not reliably sandboxed and users should treat the agent as having the privileges of their shell. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The maker directs bug reports and feature requests to GitHub Issues and private security reports to email or GitHub's vulnerability disclosure flow. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Supported IDEs: Visual Studio Code · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Terminal access: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
What it does: SideCar is a local-first AI coding assistant for VS Code that reads and edits files, runs tests, and iterates on changes. · nedonatelli.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Who it is for: The maker describes SideCar as an AI coding assistant for people using VS Code, with local Ollama models or optional cloud backends. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026

Where SideCar stands on Freedom251

AI Coding Assistants#27 of 102