Local and Free AI Coding Alternative: Goose and Qwen3-coder

A Local Alternative to Paid Coding Assistants

In the tech world, interest in AI-powered coding tools is steadily increasing. However, the high monthly fees of popular tools like Claude Code are accelerating users' search for alternatives. At this point, the open-source 'Goose' tool and the 'Qwen3-coder' model, developed by Block, the company owned by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, are drawing attention. This duo, which runs entirely on a local computer and is free, stands out as an option against paid competitors.

Installation Process and System Requirements

Three main components need to be installed for the system to work: the Goose tool, the Ollama language model server, and the Qwen3-coder model. During installation, it is recommended to first install Ollama, then Goose. The Qwen3-coder model is downloaded by selecting it from within the Ollama interface.

The model being approximately 17 GB in size requires users to have sufficient storage space. Additionally, powerful hardware is important for the system to run smoothly. Tests show that performance is satisfactory on a computer with an M4 Max processor and 128 GB of RAM, while slowdowns can occur on systems with lower configurations.

Initial Test Results and Performance Evaluation

In a test to create a simple WordPress plugin, it was observed that the Goose and Qwen3-coder duo needed five attempts to produce the correct output. This process revealed that the tools exhibit an iterative approach to debugging and correction.

However, data privacy stands out as a significant advantage of running locally. Since all processes occur on the user's own computer, code or data is not sent to the cloud. This situation provides a critical security layer, especially for developers working on sensitive projects.

The Open Source Trend in AI-Assisted Coding

The emergence of Goose and Qwen3-coder shows that interest in open-source and local solutions in AI-assisted software development tools is growing. Similarly, the new corporate model proposed by the European Union on its path to becoming a tech giant also emphasizes the importance of open innovation and collaboration. These developments indicate that the technology ecosystem is evolving towards a more accessible and transparent direction.

Although still in its early stages, the Goose and Qwen3-coder duo has the potential to fill a significant gap in the AI-assisted coding market. It offers an attractive alternative, especially for individual developers or small teams with limited budgets. The system's performance on larger and more complex projects will become clearer with tests to be conducted in the coming period.