OpenCode tutorial: Windows WSL setup and coding workflow

This beginner tutorial explains how to use OpenCode as a coding assistant on Windows with WSL and Cursor. The presenter describes it as an MIT-licensed, open source alternative to Claude Code that supports several model providers, including local models. The demonstration connects a ChatGPT Plus account and selects GPT-5.3 Codex; it does not demonstrate how to run models locally.

The setup keeps Cursor and OpenCode working on the same repository inside WSL. The presenter assumes WSL is already installed and prefers a separate terminal window because a keyboard shortcut conflicts with Cursor. The walkthrough then contrasts build mode, which can edit files and run shell commands, with plan mode, which restricts risky actions through permissions. The suggested workflow is to plan an approach, implement it in build mode, and return to planning for review.

Repository initialization generates an agents.md file for project conventions and setup commands. An empty repository produces provisional instructions that need revision as the project develops. A Flask plumbing website provides the working example, followed by an explanation of language server support.

The final section distinguishes skills, reusable guidance an AI agent can load, from commands that invoke saved prompts. Examples cover a web page command, a copywriting skill, and session compaction. Newly added commands and skills require restarting OpenCode in the demonstration.