Quick Answer
Four mainstream coding-agent tools, one real decision: the trade-off between cost and control.
- Claude Code — the most mature benchmark, strongest reasoning depth and tool reliability, but bills add up on flagship models.
- Codex — the OpenAI ecosystem, Fast-mode speed, ChatGPT login convenience, for people already rooted in OpenAI.
- OpenCode — open-source, minimal, customizable, for teams that want full control of the stack.
- DeepSeek Harness (dsh) — open-source, everything-is-a-plugin framework; its sharpest edge is unit economics (running agents 30–100x cheaper).
One-line answer: quality → Claude Code, ecosystem → Codex, customization → OpenCode, cost → dsh + DeepSeek V4.
The Differences at a Glance
| Dimension | Claude Code | Codex | OpenCode | DeepSeek Harness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Mature product | OpenAI ecosystem | Open-source minimal | Open-source plugin framework |
| Architecture | Closed runtime | Closed | Modular open-source | Everything is a plugin (Cordis) |
| Default model | Claude family | GPT-5.6 family | Any | DeepSeek V4 family |
| Cost | High | Medium | Depends on model | Low (from $0.14/$0.28) |
| Onboarding | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Customization | Low | Low | High | Very high |
The First Divide: Cost
This is where the four diverge most. Agent loops are token sinks — a single real task can burn 500K tokens. That volume on different models:
- Claude Code's default flagship model: a heavy session runs dollars to tens of dollars.
- Codex's default GPT-5.6: moderate, with Fast mode billed 2x.
- dsh's default DeepSeek V4 Flash ($0.14/$0.28 per 1M): the same work often costs a hundredth of the first two.
For teams running agents all day, this gap is decisive. dsh's strategic bet is exactly that line: an agent framework cheap enough to actually run at scale.
The Second Divide: Control
dsh's "everything is a plugin" isn't just a slogan. It means:
- Trim the capability surface — give the agent only terminal + file ops, no network; or the reverse.
- Swap providers — move the model from the official API to TeamoRouter with one env var, nothing else changes.
- Add custom tools — give your agent a tool that calls your internal system's API.
Claude Code and Codex are far less open here; OpenCode is customizable too, but dsh goes deeper on the "agent harness" layer.
How to Choose, by Scenario
- Out-of-the-box + best quality: Claude Code. Least friction, deepest reasoning.
- Already in the OpenAI / ChatGPT ecosystem: Codex. Fast-mode speed and OAuth login.
- Full control, build-your-own agent: dsh or OpenCode. dsh leans "framework + plugin ecosystem," OpenCode leans "minimal + customizable."
- Cost-sensitive, high-frequency agent use: dsh + DeepSeek V4 Flash/Pro, front-loading the TeamoRouter free tier.
Feed All Four from One Key
In practice many people route by task rather than pick one. A single TeamoRouter key feeds all four:
# Claude Code (Anthropic protocol)
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://api.teamorouter.com"
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-teamo-your-key"
# Codex / dsh (OpenAI protocol)
export OPENAI_BASE_URL="https://api.teamorouter.com/v1"
export OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-teamo-your-key"
# dsh-specific
export DEEPSEEK_BASE_URL="https://api.teamorouter.com/v1"
export DEEPSEEK_API_KEY="sk-teamo-your-key"
Now hard problems go to Claude Code (flagship Claude), daily high-frequency work to dsh (cheap DeepSeek) — one integration, one bill, no per-platform registration.
FAQ
Will dsh replace Claude Code?
Not short-term. Claude Code's reasoning depth and tool reliability are still the benchmark; dsh wins on cost and customizability. Most people will mix them by task.
Is dsh production-ready?
Still developer preview — interfaces will change, so don't depend on specific API details. For personal development, learning agent architecture, and cheap agent runs, it's fully usable.
How do OpenCode and dsh differ?
OpenCode is a minimal, modular open-source agent you install and use; dsh is a lower-level "framework + plugin ecosystem" built around everything-is-a-plugin and the seam abstraction, for people who want deep customization.
Can I point dsh and Claude Code at the same key?
Yes. The env vars above show it: Claude Code speaks the Anthropic protocol, dsh speaks OpenAI — both to TeamoRouter, one key routing everything.
To compare all four cheaply, get one key at TeamoRouter, wire up Claude, GPT, and DeepSeek, and test as you go.