Goose

Goose: Your Native Open-Source AI Agent

Goose is a general-purpose AI agent that runs on your machine — built and open-sourced by Block (Square, Cash App), now part of the Agentic AI Foundation under the Linux Foundation. Goose ships as a native desktop app for macOS, Linux, and Windows, plus a full CLI and an API, all written in Rust for speed and portability.

Unlike most coding agents, Goose isn't just for code: use it for research, writing, automation, data analysis, or any local task you want to delegate. It connects to 70+ extensions over the open Model Context Protocol — databases, browsers, GitHub, Google Drive, and more — and works with 15+ LLM providers including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and your existing Claude or ChatGPT subscriptions via ACP.

Key Features:

• Native desktop app for macOS, Linux, and Windows
• Full CLI for terminal-first workflows
• Embeddable API for integrations
• 70+ MCP extensions (databases, browsers, GitHub, Drive, Slack, more)
• 15+ LLM providers including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Ollama, OpenRouter, Bedrock
• Use existing Claude/ChatGPT subscriptions via the Agent Client Protocol (ACP)
• Recipes for repeatable, shareable agent workflows
• Apache 2.0 — fully open source, no vendor lock-in
• Built in Rust for performance and portability
• 38k+ GitHub stars, 400+ contributors, 70+ MCP extensions

Ideal Use Case:

Goose is ideal for developers and power-users who want an open-source, local-first AI agent that goes beyond code. Particularly strong for terminal-heavy workflows, automations across many tools, and engineers who care about provenance and zero vendor lock-in.

Why Use Goose:

• Fully open source under Apache 2.0
• Runs natively on your machine — no cloud lock-in
• Works with any LLM provider, including local models
• Re-use your existing Claude or ChatGPT subscription via ACP
• Connect to 70+ tools over the open MCP standard
• Backed by Block and the Linux Foundation's Agentic AI Foundation

FAQ

Is Goose really free? Yes. Apache 2.0, fully open source. You only pay for the LLM provider you connect.

Does Goose work with my Claude or ChatGPT subscription? Yes, via the Agent Client Protocol (ACP).

Is Goose just for code? No. Goose is a general-purpose agent — research, writing, automation, data analysis, and more.

Who maintains Goose? Block originally open-sourced it; it now lives in the Linux Foundation's Agentic AI Foundation with 400+ contributors.

tl;dr:

Goose is Block's open-source AI agent — desktop app, CLI, and API. Works with any LLM, connects to 70+ MCP extensions, runs natively on your machine. Free under Apache 2.0.

Related

Looking for more options? Browse the Developer Tools directory or read our best AI coding tools listicle. Goose is also tracked on Crunchbase.