ZCode
Verified Oct 15, 2026 ActiveDesktop coding agent from Z.ai that runs multi-agent, long-running tasks against the GLM-5.3 model.
Listed on EffectHub ·
Pricing
- Pricing model
- Paid
- Paid options from
- $12.60/mo
- Billing
- Monthly
The ZCode app is a free download; usage runs on Z.ai's GLM Coding Plan: Lite $12.60/month (shown struck from $18, 10,000 credits a week), Pro $56 (from $80, 6x Lite) and Max $117.60 (from $168, 14x Lite). The page notes prices may change and final details are on z.ai.
Use tool ↗About ZCode
ZCode is a desktop coding environment from Z.ai (the company behind the GLM family of models, part of the Zhipu AI ecosystem) built around agent-driven development rather than autocomplete-style assistance. It's pitched at handling long-running, multi-step coding tasks with multiple agents working together, and includes the ability to control running tasks remotely through messaging apps. It's built directly on Z.ai's own GLM-5.3 model rather than acting as a wrapper around third-party models. The app installs natively on macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows (64-bit and ARM64), and Linux (x64 and ARM64, in beta), and the company is based in China.
- API
- Not confirmed
- Last verified
- Oct 15, 2026
Verified sources
- ZCode page, 'Code with GLM Coding Plan': Lite $12.6 (struck $18, 10,000 credits/week), Pro $56 (struck $80, 6x Lite), Max $117.6 (struck $168, 14x Lite) (15 October 2026)zcode.z.ai ↗
- ZCode page: 'Official Harness for GLM-5.3', version 3.15.3 downloads for macOS (Apple Silicon, Intel), Windows (x64, ARM64) and Linux (x64, ARM64, beta) (15 October 2026)zcode.z.ai ↗
Is ZCode legit?
We don’t label tools safe or unsafe. Below are the records we checked ourselves, each with the date we read it.
- Domain registered
- Dec 15, 2017 (8 years ago)Registry record (RDAP), registrar Dominet (HK) Limited, looked up Sep 21, 2026
- TLS certificate
- Issued by Sectigo Limited, valid until Nov 27, 2026Seen in our own connection to the site on Oct 15, 2026
- Last checked
- Oct 15, 2026The site answered
- Operated by
- Z.ai (Zhipu AI), ChinaOur research, card verified Oct 15, 2026
Pros & cons of ZCode
ZCode's pitch is a coding agent tied directly to Z.ai's own GLM-5.3 model rather than routing through third-party APIs, which should mean tighter integration and pricing control for Z.ai. Being single-model by design is also the tradeoff: teams that want to switch between GLM, Claude, and GPT models from one tool won't get that flexibility here.
Pros
- Native desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux rather than a browser-only tool
- Built specifically around the GLM-5.3 model rather than a generic wrapper
- Supports multi-agent, long-running task execution
- Remote task control through messaging apps is a distinctive feature versus typical IDE tools
Cons
- Locked to Z.ai's own GLM models, with no visible option to bring another provider
- Linux support is explicitly in beta
Best for
- Developers already committed to the GLM model family who want a native desktop agent
- Teams wanting multi-agent, long-running coding tasks rather than single-turn autocomplete
Not for
- Developers who want to switch freely between multiple AI model providers in one tool
- Linux users needing a stable (non-beta) release today
Watch out: Listed monthly prices ($12.60/$56/$117.60) look like a discounted launch rate rather than a stable list price; confirm current pricing before budgeting around it.
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