OpenCode vs OpenHands

OpenCode

Runs with no key or account on free OpenCode Zen models. Most permissions default to allow, and SECURITY.md says the permission system is not a sandbox.

OpenHands

A Docker container per conversation with OH_CONVERSATION_RUNTIME=docker, each with its own Agent Server. Confirmation mode is off by default in Agent Canvas, and the npm install gives the agent the host's whole filesystem.

OpenCode

1. Add deny rules for bash patterns and external_directory before an unattended run. Most tools default to allow
2. Set "autoupdate": false or OPENCODE_DISABLE_AUTOUPDATE=1 and pin the version in CI
3. Configure a provider key. With none, prompts go to free Zen models that may train on them
4. Set OPENCODE_SERVER_PASSWORD before opencode serve. Without it the server runs unauthenticated
5. Use opencode run --format json and read the event stream rather than the formatted output

OpenHands

1. Set AGENT_CANVAS_DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1 and DO_NOT_TRACK=1 before the first start
2. Start Canvas with OH_CONVERSATION_RUNTIME=docker or use the Docker image. The npm install runs the agent on the host
3. Turn on confirmation mode with a risk threshold. Canvas starts with it off
4. Use the SDK or the Agent Server API for headless runs. The openhands --headless CLI is no longer maintained
5. Set filter_tools_regex on the agent to keep unneeded MCP tool definitions out of the context