> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mossx.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Provider overview

> Choose among Claude Code, Codex, Kimi, Grok, OpenCode, and Pi, and understand how their dependencies differ.

CC GUI is not a shell around one model. The provider picker under the input box decides which runtime handles this request.

## Compare them

| Provider                                   | Type      | Depends on                       | Plan mode | Where credentials live                                                       |
| ------------------------------------------ | --------- | -------------------------------- | --------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Claude Code](/en/vscode/providers/claude) | SDK       | `@anthropic-ai/claude-agent-sdk` | Yes       | An in-extension provider, or authorize `~/.claude/settings.json` / CLI login |
| [Codex](/en/vscode/providers/codex)        | SDK       | `@openai/codex-sdk`              | No        | Written to `~/.codex/`, or authorize reading the local config                |
| [Kimi](/en/vscode/providers/kimi)          | Local CLI | `kimi`                           | No        | Kimi's own config (usually `~/.kimi-code/`)                                  |
| [Grok](/en/vscode/providers/grok)          | Local CLI | `grok`                           | No        | Grok's own config (usually `~/.grok/`)                                       |
| [OpenCode](/en/vscode/providers/opencode)  | Local CLI | `opencode`                       | No        | OpenCode's own config                                                        |
| [Pi](/en/vscode/providers/pi)              | Local CLI | `pi`                             | No        | `~/.pi/`                                                                     |

<Note>
  Gemini may appear in UI copy, but a standalone runtime is not shipped yet. This documentation does not cover Gemini.
</Note>

For detection and PATH troubleshooting, see [Detect and install](/en/vscode/providers/cli).

## How to choose

* You want the full permission dialogs, plan mode, MCP, and Skills: use **Claude Code**
* You want the OpenAI / Codex ecosystem: use **Codex**
* You already use Grok, Kimi, OpenCode, or Pi in a terminal: switch to that engine. The extension only detects and chats. It does not install for you

You can switch providers in the same workspace. History is isolated by runtime, so an old Grok session does not mix into Claude. The local history index currently covers Claude / Codex / Grok only. Kimi / OpenCode / Pi can chat, but History does not list those sessions. See [Sessions, tabs, and history](/en/vscode/chat/sessions).

## Check these before you switch

1. Node.js 20+ is filled in. See [Prepare your environment](/en/vscode/start/setup)
2. The Claude / Codex SDK is installed
3. A CLI provider shows as installed in **Settings → Provider management → CLI**
4. The current provider has an enabled set of credentials

If an SDK is missing, the chat area says so and offers **Go to install**.

## Where to configure

Every provider lives in **Settings → Provider management**, on three subpages:

* **Claude Code**: official direct, third-party presets, local settings.json, CLI login
* **Codex**: official direct, local `~/.codex/`, custom models and environment variables
* **CLI**: detect Grok / Kimi / OpenCode / Pi and show install commands

<Columns cols={3}>
  <Card title="Claude Code" href="/en/vscode/providers/claude">
    API keys, local config, and subscription login.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Codex" href="/en/vscode/providers/codex">
    `~/.codex/` and sandbox.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Kimi" href="/en/vscode/providers/kimi">
    Local `kimi`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Grok" href="/en/vscode/providers/grok">
    Local `grok`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="OpenCode" href="/en/vscode/providers/opencode">
    Local `opencode`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pi" href="/en/vscode/providers/pi">
    Local `pi`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Detect and install" href="/en/vscode/providers/cli">
    Detect again, PATH, and troubleshooting.
  </Card>
</Columns>

## Beta notice

Some capabilities are still marked Beta. If you hit a problem, send reproduction steps to [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/hpstream/vscode-cc-gui/issues), or go to [Contribute](/en/vscode/community/contribute).