Orca by Stably vs Code Airlock

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right tool

Orca by Stably

🔴Developer

developer-tools

Free, open-source Agent Development Environment (ADE) that runs multiple CLI coding agents like Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor side-by-side, each in its own isolated git worktree, tracked in one desktop app.

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Starting Price

Free
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Code Airlock

🔴Developer

developer-tools

A thin CLI wrapper around Docker Sandboxes that runs Claude Code, Codex, or OpenCode in a disposable microVM against a clone of your repo, then brings the work back as ordinary git commits for review.

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Starting Price

$0 (self-hosted)
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Feature Comparison

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FeatureOrca by StablyCode Airlock
Categorydeveloper-toolsdeveloper-tools
Pricing Plans1 listed plan1 listed plan
Starting PriceFree$0 (self-hosted)
Key Features
  • • Run any CLI coding agent (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Copilot, and more) side-by-side
  • • Isolated git worktrees per agent with fan-out prompts and merge-the-winner workflow
  • • WebGL terminal splits, VS Code-style editor, and embedded Chromium browser with Design Mode
  • • Runs coding agents in disposable Docker Sandbox microVMs, a boundary below the agent process rather than inside it
  • • Clone mode by default: the agent works in a private clone while your host repo stays read-only
  • • One-command task runs (code-airlock run "...") using each agent's non-interactive mode

Orca by Stably - Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓Run any CLI coding agent (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Copilot, and more) side-by-side. This directly supports the primary workflow.
  • ✓Isolated git worktrees per agent with fan-out prompts and merge-the-winner workflow.
  • ✓WebGL terminal splits, VS Code-style editor, and embedded Chromium browser with Design Mode.
  • ✓Native GitHub and Linear task workflows plus AI-diff annotation.

Cons

  • ✗Plan prices can omit usage overages, model-provider charges, implementation work, taxes, or required seats.
  • ✗Features and limits can change by plan, billing interval, region, and release; verify current documentation.
  • ✗No native MCP support is documented in this record, so agent workflows may require API work or another integration layer.
  • ✗A representative pilot is necessary because a feature list does not establish reliability or operational fit.

Code Airlock - Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓Real security boundary at the microVM level — not just agent-side prompts
  • ✓Host repo stays read-only; every change comes back as a reviewable git commit
  • ✓Multi-agent: swap between Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode with one flag
  • ✓Sandbox never needs GitHub creds — PRs push from the host
  • ✓MIT licensed with npm/Homebrew/curl installs and preflight `doctor` diagnostics

Cons

  • ✗Requires Docker Sandboxes and KVM/virtualization on the host
  • ✗No MCP integration — wraps agents but doesn't extend their tool surface
  • ✗Extra latency vs. running the agent directly on the host
  • ✗Small project (thin wrapper) — you're also depending on the underlying sbx CLI
  • ✗Adds cognitive load: another layer between you and the agent

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Review Orca by StablyReview Code Airlock