I Built an Open-Source CLI AI Coding Assistant in Go (and it costs $3/month)

Gokin is a new open-source command-line AI coding assistant built in Go. It offers a cost-effective alternative to tools like Claude Code, which can become expensive with heavy usage. Gokin integrates with Google Gemini, which has a free tier, and GLM-4, a more affordable API alternative. The developer uses a hybrid workflow, employing Gokin for repetitive tasks and initial drafting, reserving Claude Code for critical polishing and complex code reviews. Gokin boasts over 40 AI tools, including file operations, Git integration, and semantic code search powered by embeddings. It features a multi-agent system with specialized agents for exploring codebases, executing commands, planning tasks, and general queries. Security is a priority, with features like secret redaction and command sandboxing to protect user data. Gokin can be installed directly using Go or by building from source. System requirements include Go 1.23+, macOS, Linux, or Windows (via WSL2), and an API key for Google Gemini. The project plans to add support for more AI providers, advanced planning algorithms, and a plugin system in the future.