🚀 Getting Started with AI Coding Tools

Overview

This repo is designed to aid the adoption of agentic work in the lab, along with shared lessons and optimisations.

Coding agents are distinct from chatbots because they can read and write files on your computer.

Tools

Here are the current tools we are using:

• OpenCode agent interface is an open source alternative to Claude Code
• OpenRouter as provider (single subscription to access many models)
• Kimi K2.5 is a current strong coding model

To access Anthropic’s Opus 4.5, we are accessing through GitHub Education:

• Using OpenCode as the interface to run the models
• Selecting GitHub Copilot as provider: Connect provider
• Select Opus 4.5 or other models available through GitHub Copilot

Installation

Download OpenCode Desktop App

Make a new folder to begin. Example create a testing AI folder in your Documents. To use these models, it needs to be given a project folder to work in.

Open OpenCode App on your computer:

1. Click ⚙️ Settings
2. Navigate to Providers
3. Select to OpenRouter
4. Enter API key (supplied separately via email)
5. At bottom select Kimi K2.5 - this will listed under OpenRouter
6. Click ＋ button on the left to make a new project. Then choose your folder for the project, example here being your testing AI folder.