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Agent Runtimes

What is an Agent Runtime?

An agent runtime is the execution environment that powers AI coding agents. It provides the infrastructure for:

  • Reading, writing, and navigating project files
  • Running commands, build tools, and scripts
  • Integrating with external services via tool use
  • Tracking conversation history and project state
  • Sandboxing and permission management

This workshop covers four agent runtimes: Claude Code, Cursor, Cline, and Opencode.

Feature Support

Feature Claude Code Opencode Cursor Cline Copilot
Rules ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Subagents ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗
Skills ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Slash Commands ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
MCP ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Hooks/Plugins ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Claude Code

Quick Start

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
claude

Key Features

  • Claude Pro/Max support: Use your existing subscription
  • Skills, hooks, MCP: Extensible via custom workflows
Resource Link
Documentation docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code
Community Templates aitmpl.com

Cursor

Quick Start

Download from cursor.com and sign in.

Key Features

  • Tab autocomplete: Multi-line, cross-file context-aware completions
  • Inline Edit (Cmd/Ctrl+K): Quick changes without full agent sessions
  • Bugbot: Automated PR review with autofix
  • Cloud Agents: Remote execution in background VMs
Resource Link
Website cursor.com
Documentation cursor.com/docs

Cline

Quick Start

Install from VS Code Marketplace and configure your API key.

Key Features

  • Plan & Act mode: Explore and plan before implementing
  • Multi-provider: Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, Qwen, local models
  • Checkpoints: Git-based save/restore of project states
Resource Link
Website cline.bot
Documentation docs.cline.bot
GitHub github.com/cline/cline

Opencode

Quick Start

curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/install | bash
opencode

Key Features

  • 75+ LLM providers: Claude, GPT, Gemini, Grok, Ollama, local models
  • Built-in LSP: Language intelligence without additional setup
  • Terminal, desktop app (beta), and IDE extension
  • Client/server architecture for remote execution
  • 100% open source (MIT) — inspect, modify, self-host
Resource Link
Website opencode.ai
Documentation opencode.ai/docs
GitHub github.com/sst/opencode

Next Steps