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March 30, 2026Dev Tools7 min

Forge: My Own Claude Code

Multi-model, multi-provider, zero vendor lock-in — an agentic coding platform from scratch

TypeScript · Node.js · SQLite · 8 LLM Provider

I rebuilt Claude Code. Not out of boredom, not out of hubris — but because I hit a wall that everyone who seriously works with AI agents knows: vendor lock-in.

The Problem Nobody Talks About

One Tool, One Provider

  • Claude Code = Anthropic only
  • GPT = OpenAI only
  • Gemini = Google only
  • Best model per task? Impossible
  • 370,000 LOC tied to one vendor

Forge: Any Model, Any Task

  • Opus for architecture
  • Gemini for 1M token context
  • GPT-5 for reasoning
  • Ollama for local models
  • Model router selects automatically

Forge: A Smithy for Software

An autonomous development platform that self-optimizes, uses any LLM, and is controllable from any device. The architecture: a model router abstracts all providers. Each task gets not the most expensive model, but the most suitable one.

37+Tools in 12 categories1,988 tests green · 58% Claude Code parity

Reverse-Engineered the Source Code

File Tools

Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep — fully rebuilt.

Shell Tools

Bash execution with timeout, background, sandbox.

Agent Tools

Spawn sub-agents, track tasks, isolate worktrees.

MCP Integration

Tool discovery, schema resolution, server management.

Workflow Tools

Cron scheduling, hook system, plan mode.

Extras

Cost tracking, LLM summarization, tool blocking via hooks.

Features Claude Code doesn't have: cron scheduling, LLM-based context summarization, cost tracking with budgets per session/day/model, hook-based tool blocking.

Cross-Device: Plan on Phone, Build on Desktop

Discuss an idea on your phone in Claude.AI. Sit at the computer, rebuild context. Session ends, knowledge lost. In Forge, session state lives on the server. Phone for planning. Desktop for deep work. Tablet for monitoring. Context never lost.

Bootstrapping: Forge Builds Forge

1
Phase 1Built with Claude Code
2
Phase 2Forge + Claude Code
3
Phase 3Forge builds itself

Every improvement to Forge makes Forge better at improving itself.

Why This Matters for Everyone

Anyone seriously developing with AI today needs access to multiple models, persistence across sessions, quality gates that enforce — and the freedom to choose the best tool for the task.

The future of AI development isn't one model, one tool, one provider. It's an orchestra.

— Philipp

Multi-provider AI architecture for your organization? Let's talk about vendor-independent strategies.

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