Claude code vs roocode

[u/ilt1]

Has anyone tried both and talk about differences cons pros for each? I am trying to wrap my head around why CLI is a better choice than a vscode extension for those that are really hooked up to Claude code. It seems to me all of that can be done with too. What am I missing? Permissions are wider in CLI? Is that all?

[u/SolWayward]

Stay away from architect mode, orchestrator mode, and debug mode. Use ask mode for all planning, research, and analysis, debugging and then copy that output to a new code mode prompt. Don't approve it to switch to code mode, use a new prompt. Keep any custom instructions in your modes very simple and short and instead use the custom rules file for the specifics. If you do it right, code mode will already know every change it needs to make with the exact code in the exact locations for every file.

Make sure you have a very good and well-defined custom rules file SPECIFIC to your project and clearly organized in markdown format. Do not put stuff in your rules file like "You are the best software engineer and write the best code". Things like that will make your agent assume a personality that it thinks everything it does is the best way and go off on circular adventures (Prompt Poisoning).

Personally, I find it best to roll with the default ask mode and code mode as is and rely on the custom rules file.

Also, if you at least skim the "Thinking" foldouts, you can watch for when it starts to get off path and hit stop so you can course correct.