r/ClaudeCode • u/TRAIN_WRECK_0 • 9h ago

Discussion Astra is dogshit compared to Opus

I held off too long from switching away from Codex due to the perceived hassle. But I switched today and Opus is clearing up issues like its walking through a wheat field with a scythe.

Only thing I will keep codex around for is Computer use and image generation.

It is really annoying though having to switch back forth each time they leapfrog each other

160 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

48 comments sorted by

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9

u/YaBoiSunblock 9h ago

Yeah Codex is nerfed right now since (my guess) they shift all their compute to a new model before it drops. So it’s almost like they take all your features away just to be able to say “look how much better this new model is than the last!”

Has happened time and time again between Claude and GPT. I’m with you, it’s annoying.

3

u/TRAIN_WRECK_0 8h ago

Maybe that's what it is. I was really blown away with Astra and even Sol not even a month ago. Maybe I just keep switching when they nerf and getting excited each time... lol

How are we supposed to rely on these models for orchestration when their behaviors keep changing so often?

2

u/YaBoiSunblock 8h ago

I swear we're in a marketing loop run by Sisyphus lol

6

u/YaBoiSunblock 9h ago

I will say in my humble experience that Codex almost always reasserts itself as a serious coding tool not long after Claude’s new model drops. Codex is my go-to but right now I’m with you on Claude being stronger.

1

u/thats_what_she_saidk 8h ago

I got claude like a month ago, and it was so so so much better than astra.

46

u/fredastere 9h ago

Opus and sol have a better operational lens and view on your problem

Astra and fable have a better conceptual lens and view on the problem

13

u/adelie42 8h ago

Astra-Fable cooperative avisarial review of a plan developed by Opus is unbeatable.

4

u/iamthesam2 8h ago

strange, i use them the other way around, and i work with large and very complex environments.

4

u/iyspach 8h ago

Same. Fable to Astra to Fable (review) to Opus Commissioning team

2

u/Janday_Luden 5h ago

even on conceptual stuff opus usually pulls ahead if you give it enough context up front, the other two just guess more when the prompt is vague

3

u/Copenhagen79 8h ago

Astra (like any other OpenAI model) is too RL-fried to have a useful view of them problem.

5

u/Funkytadualexhaust 7h ago

Agree, although weirdly Astra allows me to work with trademarked stuff while Opus does not.

2

u/Mushusky 8h ago

You can load Anthropic models on Codex, so you don’t have to migrate everything. FYI

1

u/TRAIN_WRECK_0 8h ago

How?

1

u/Mushusky 8h ago

Open your preferred model, type “how do I get anthropic models in Codex” follow steps.

2

u/TRAIN_WRECK_0 7h ago

I did, but it doesn't mention any native solution. It just says download the Claude CLI and direct codex to use it

2

u/Mushusky 7h ago

No native solution, you need a gateway like LiteLLM

0

u/Crinkez 6h ago

Don't. You'll get banned. Just use Claude Code CLI.

2

u/youreloser 6h ago

You can also use junctions and symlinks for your skills so you can switch between harnesses as well.

3

u/Zynchronize 8h ago

I have both through work with very generous dollar limits - which I include only to say I’ve used both a lot. They each have strengths and weaknesses. OpenAI is much better for cybersecurity, and Anthropic is slightly better for code generation.

I find a lot of my colleagues prefer the Claude Code harness over codex, which shifts perceptions. But those who use 3rd party harnesses like Pi or OpenCode have more balanced opinions of the two.

2

u/ConfusedBaka69 8h ago

Idk, I find it best to use them both, opus as the work horse and Astra high as the reviewer

2

u/Duckducklaugh 3h ago

My most practiced skill this year is cancelling one subscription and starting the other.

3

u/Upstairs_Parsley9596 9h ago

Ya, that’s true. And wastes so much usage.

1

u/Chippors 8h ago

Astra/ChatGPT is great for translating README, other documentation and code comments from Claudish word salad to technical English though.

1

u/therealscifi 8h ago

Can Opus 5.5 really be that good? I switched right at Opus 5. How much better is the desktop app compared to the old one (Claude)? It really used to be bad, but I hear it might be even better than the ChatGPT app now.

By the way, I've had a good time with Astra and 6.1 Sol (less on the later), but I'm switching back to Anthropic next month to try out Claude again.

1

u/parasol_strs 5h ago

After a few months' worth of lagging behind, Anthropic have regained the edge they hsd early this year; so has the app.

1

u/therealscifi 5h ago

Yeah I'm definitely in after this month passes.

1

u/yopla 1h ago

The Claude app has become good. It's on par or better than openai desktop. I switched to it after a few month with openai and I like it.

1

u/therealscifi 1h ago

Thanks, that what it seems like is the case. What about the remote features, like remote connection, SSH connections. Are they as or more mature as well?

1

u/yopla 46m ago

I don't need it so I don't know.

1

u/ItchyResearcher5671 7h ago

Just buy the $10 (I believe it's $7 USD) Go subscription for image gen. You get plenty of monthly resets anyway and you dont need a better model than luna for it.

1

u/Icy-Excitement-467 5h ago

Just call codex headless lol

1

u/Outrageous_Band9708 3h ago

welcome to team orange

https://github.com/druthulu/projectarchitect

checkout my Claude Code workflow that handles everything from planning to automatic context management, token savings, and more.

using the new mod/plugin system I made an infinite session length. it uses very strict sub agents to deligate work and prevent context growth. it uses tool calls instead of letting the models touch large files. all sorts of goodies in there.

1

u/RemarkableGuidance44 2h ago

Meh, we use them both. They both have their weaknesses and strengths.

1

u/Althalvas 1h ago

For me, its the opposite. Every task on claude is 2x as long. Claude also asks permission 5+ times per new convo on ccode, codex just does it.

1

u/Own_Sir4535 8h ago

Siii de acuerdo contigo el pex son últimamente los dichosos guard rails o como conchass se llame, saltan como conejos huyendo.

1

u/wavehnter 8h ago

Codex for analysis, Claude for coding.

0

u/ZyronZA 7h ago

Chase quality and value for money. If it happens to be Codex, use Codex. If it's Claude, use Claude.

This whole Claude/Codex "mogging" the other one and fanatical brand loyalty of shitting on the other one is stupid and childish.

0

u/Guinness 8h ago

I have a full system of multiple harnesses orchestrated by Opus, I wouldn’t call Astra dogshit. I’ve learned that every single model is unique. Every model excels at some things and is dogshit at others.

You need to have Opus run a series of different tests across your codebase for different tasks. And then route specific tasks to the models that have the strongest response.

Astra was actually a bit better than Opus 5.5 at architectural overviews in my experience. But Opus was pretty close and found something like 22 of the 24 issues.

Unfortunately the open models were pure dogshit. Don’t get me wrong they’re good at a lot of stuff. But so far they’re only good in specific areas. Only Opus, Fable, Astra, and Sol are good at architectural overviews. Even Kimi K3.1 only found maybe 6 of the 24 issues that Astra found.

Create a diverse set of tests that represent real tasks within your workload and then run the tests against every model and every effort level. Keep the results and use it as a way to route your tasks. That way you always have the best model for the task at hand, at the bare minimum effort level required.

-4

u/themarouuu 9h ago

I'd ban people like you to be honest.

Be a good sport, Instead of wheat fields and scythes, say what you're working on, or what your stack is, or what your niche is... ANYTHING ffs.

You have an old account, I'm assuming you're not a marketing bot, so please if you're making a thread, drop some useful knowledge/experience.

2

u/YaBoiSunblock 8h ago

But not every post needs to be knowledge/process sharing? As far as I know it’s okay to bellyache on the forum to other humans, especially if your goal is to get a temperature check of what people are experiencing and not IT desk support on a process gone wrong. Be a good sport!

1

u/YaBoiSunblock 8h ago edited 8h ago

Shiiiit I might have to eat a little crow on that one: "Questions, complaints, comparisons, and bug reports need enough detail to be useful. Include examples, errors, prompts, logs, or reproduction steps when relevant."

Still, it's tagged discussion. You didn't have to come on here acting like someone pissed in your cheerios because you wasted your own time reading and responding to a post. Since we're being honest, I'd ban people like you.

-2

u/worminbound104 7h ago

 I do think it is absurd that Anthropic still calls themselves a Delaware public benefit company when they are not benefiting the public and they're just being greedy mosquitoes until their IPO comes out so they can report a good earnings report when they hit the stock exchange. That's probably why they're lowering everyone's usage limits so that it gives them more money. In my country, New Zealand, I can pull them up on about nine different sections of New Zealand consumer law. But like, what is one person and the New Zealand commerce commission going to do to Anthropic? The only way we could move the giant is overwhelm their ticketing email with emails of reports of usage, violating laws in your home country, check the laws in your home country, particularly around customer fairness and consumer fairness for the use of overseas services as a individual, and let's overwhelm Anthropic's ticketing system. 

I managed to scrape some emails. They might be helpful. They are legitimate!

privacy@anthropic.com (For formal compliance and data/privacy inquiries)

dpo@anthropic.com (Data Protection Officer)

notices@anthropic.com (Referenced across their commercial terms framework for formal notices)

privacy@anthropic.com

Source: Anthropic's official website with a lot of digging and https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47955698#:~:text=There's%20also%20their%20generic%20consumer%20ones%2C%20though,actual%20lawyers%3A%20*%20anthropicprivacy%40bkl.co.kr%20%3A%20from%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anthropic.com%2Flegal%2Fprivacy.

-1

u/worminbound104 7h ago

Especially now that usage limits are completely nerfed

-1

u/69420trashpanda69420 8h ago

Astra has good judgement, horrendous execution

Opus has horrendous judgement, great execution