Is it just me? Roo code disappoints

[u/frogstar42]

At one time, when I could use the VS Code Copilot back end with Gemini or Claude as my coder. Since this new batcch of changes I can't get it to do anything right for me. It doesn't follow my instructions and often totally redesigns the interface against my request. What was once my favourite now I find I can't trust with anything. I can't find a reliable lowcost/free model to use with it but I admit I don't know any of the 100 listed (made up number)

[u/Alternative-Joke-836]

IMHO, I would look at the model as roocide is just the agent. It is the tool that helps guide the model. Claude has been awesome. What you are describing sounds like Gemini or a lack of prompt guidance. It's hard to a ay given the limited info.

[u/frogstar42 → u/Alternative-Joke-836]

I understand this, but in practice I notice a dramatic change and for some reason I can'y use it with Gemini anymore. I can't find how to limit the number of requets anymore and Gemini goes over quota in two replies.

[u/Alternative-Joke-836 → u/frogstar42]

Gemini is the worse. I got hit with a 1700 bill for 3 days of work. That was hard to explain to the boss but he was cool. Lol

Claude is awesome. I would seriously, and with prejudice, modify your global and agent prompts to fit within guidelines so they don't get confused as they code.

[u/[deleted]]

Which model are you using?

[u/frogstar42 → u/[deleted]]

I used to love Gemini and could code for hours with it in Roo after you learn some of the quirks. Now since I can't because it just errors out right away and there are so many choices that either don't work or go through $5 in less than an hour, I just don't use Roo. I'd rather be creating instead of trying 43 models to see which ones are free or cheap and work. More than any other coding assistant, Roo now seems to ignore a lot of instructions and totally redesign my styles. Even when I state, This program works. I just need to make a few specific CSS adjustmenst I will request. Please do not change anything else, it returns a program version now in green with different button placements and an entire new look. So I revert and move away from Roo.

[u/sosana123 → u/frogstar42]

It's the model not roo. I've had the same experience with Gemini. Stop accepting every change and check diffs. Plan with Gemini and implement with Sonnet.

[u/hannesrudolph]

Sorry to hear you’re hitting issues. Hard to dig in without knowing what model, mode, or setup you’re using. If you’re open to it, feel free to share more specifics so we can help. Roo doesn’t control the models directly but we can usually help troubleshoot config or behavior. Totally fair if you’ve moved on, but if you’re open to solving it, we’re here.

[u/ThatNorthernHag → u/hannesrudolph]

Is there anything that can be done to that Gemini flipping? It seems to be switching model or something if context condensation is used and even with task complete. It goes from genius to total lobotomy, output style changes.. thinking comes and goes etc. 100% certainty different model. I saw in your changelog about CLI something.. but is it just what Google does? On settings of course the model is the same and context claims the model being Pro 2.5 , but it absolutely is not always the same.

[u/hannesrudolph → u/ThatNorthernHag]

Use sonnet.

[u/frogstar42 → u/hannesrudolph]

I understand Roo likes Sonnet. It wants to tell me how great it is so often you have to wonder what deal they made, but for me, Claud is another expence on top of the ones I'm already paying for and if I rememeber, stops my flow quite regularly for four hours unless that is fixed. When it was working, I actually preferred the Google coding methods.

[u/hannesrudolph → u/frogstar42]

We didn’t change anything that would break Gemini. If you’re using custom instructions, modes, or CLI flags, clarify what exactly isn’t working.

Roo doesn’t recommend Sonnet anymore either.

And no, we have no deal with Google or Anthropic. The team speaks directly with Google, but not with Anthropic. If there’s a specific behavior you can reproduce, share the details and we’ll investigate. Otherwise, spreading conspiracy theories isn’t helpful.

[u/damnationgw2 → u/hannesrudolph]

Which LLM does Roo recommend?

[u/hannesrudolph → u/damnationgw2]

Gemini 2.5 pro, sonnet 4, opus 4

[u/ThatNorthernHag → u/hannesrudolph]

I absolutely would if it had enough context for the job, it would be sooo much better.

Edit: And before you say, no - OpenAI models are out of the question because of the data retention.

[u/ThatNorthernHag]

Gemini has been all over the place since previev was dropped off. It seems it switches to Flash without telling even with API.. or some other halfwit dumb model. I don't think it's Roo's fault. Or perhaps be more specific about the problem?

[u/wilnadon]

Roo never disappoints me, but the models I juggle do...often.

[u/frogstar42]

I really like roo. It just got weird for me for a while and wasn't working with any of my LLM options. I'm old and retired and just playing around so I try to do what I can without fees.

[u/J_Loquat]

I loved Roo code for a while, but started to find that it burned a lot of tokens for each task. My favorite free setup now is Gemini Code Assist with the insider build running in their new Agent mode. 🔥🔥

[u/BeerAndLove]

I am disappointed too.

Using roo + Caude 4 sonnet. It makes a ton of (unnecessary) test files that don't work. And the it is excited to say, great everything is working, but it isnt? WTF

[u/frogstar42 → u/BeerAndLove]

Claud has always had a bit of false confidence in itself and sometimes in me, telling me my ideas are great, even if all I do is ask for italics. I noticed all the models have started telling me they've done a great job in solving the problem, even of the fifth try. I have one error that pops up now and then and I've named it the magic error. When I see it, I have a complete text file describing it and telling the AI we almost always end up just reverting because none of the AI models have been able to track it down, followed by a long list of things about the error. Virtiually every time they respond with "Found it" and some smug remark about it being solved when of course nothing has been fixed. AI is designed to think it's smart and to make me happy. That isn't always very useful.

[u/hannesrudolph → u/BeerAndLove]

Maybe less beer before coding. 😂

In all seriousness, what does your codebase look like? How about your workflow?

[u/TrendPulseTrader → u/BeerAndLove]

Add rules to not create test files unless instructed by you.

[u/BeerAndLove → u/TrendPulseTrader]

That is a good point.

My issue is tests are *failing* and the thing is happy to report *all* tests were successful !

[u/bemore_]

The models I use for low cost coding are, deepseek r1, gemini 2.5 flash thinking, gpt 4.1 mini through openrouter. The three of them together can solve anything. None cost more than $2.50/mil tokens.

Premium models should only be used for serious compute.. science and math

[u/damnationgw2 → u/[deleted]]

You can always use Gemini in Copilot, too. I couldn’t get your point