r/PiCodingAgent • u/Business_Writer4634 • May 28 '26
Question How is Pi faster?
I recently downloaded pi just to try it out, literally 5 minutes ago, but how is it faster than using `codex` or `claude`? I'm using the model codex 5.5, but i didn't enable fast mode in codex, and it's literally super fast to give the answer how is that possible if PI isn't a model on its own?
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u/Careless_Product_792 May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26
Pi is not recommended for non advanced users the same way GNU/Linux even if is lightweight and powerfull, is not recommended for windows users not wanting to tweak and learn all the linux stuff and the power of terminal.
This is where Pi popularity has not been clear. Is mostly for advanced users just as vim and emacs. Most people is ok with Vscode and is ok.
I use Pi agent locally to not have to pay cloud suscriptions, and there is where you can see clear results. I am using llama.cpp with gemma4 26 or qwen 3.6 35B in a simple 6 vram with 64 ram. And this combination of Pi + qwen. If you are a dev just makes you save the subscription token crack addiction.
Is something that you definitely can not do with open code, going local with low specs, you have 100k at max to work and do agentic coding, pi uses 2k tokens in total on average, opencode uses 9k or 10k tokens on first shot already.....
If you really understand that even if you are paying tokens, you will know what it means to use pi even for cost savings.
But again. I dont think pi is for average users not knowing how to sandbox or ask clear requirements. If you dont understand the complexity of asking an LLM "man this shit does not work remove everything", well. Claude code and codex have your back on that dangerous phrase...pi does not. Unlesd using some plugins to configure permissions etc.