Atlarix Auto: A Free AI Coding Agent That Picks the Model for Each Step
Most AI coding tools ask you to make two decisions before you write a line: which model, and whose API key. Atlarix Auto removes both. It is one option in the model picker — the one new installs start on — and instead of running your whole session on a single model, it chooses a model for each step of the work. On an account with no credit, Auto in the Atlarix desktop app is free. On Atlarix Pro…
Atlarix Auto is an AI coding agent that simplifies the process of selecting which model to use for different steps of coding work. When you start a session with Auto, it automatically chooses the appropriate model for each task, rather than requiring you to manually decide which model to use and provide an API key.
Auto handles various coding tasks such as exploring a codebase, writing changes, planning refactors, and reviewing diffs. It routes each step to a model based on the type of work being done. For example, simpler tasks like reading code or making changes use a fast, affordable model, while more complex tasks like planning or code review utilize a stronger reasoning model.
If a step requires a screenshot, image, or PDF, Auto automatically switches to a model capable of processing visual content. Each request is handled independently, allowing for flexibility and the potential to adjust the model level mid-session. If a step fails, Atlarix automatically retries it using a stronger model.
For users without a credit balance, the free Auto model is available in the desktop app and runs on OpenAI models through OpenAI's data-sharing program. This allows for free daily capacity for traffic that can be used to improve OpenAI's models. A one-time notice is shown before the first free message, explaining this arrangement. The free Auto model is also available in the Chrome extension, but the desktop app version runs on a paid Auto model.
With a free account, Atlarix ensures that users still have access to Auto, but it runs on a shared daily allowance. This allowance is sized based on what is remaining and the number of active users, with a floor to ensure everyone has sufficient capacity and a ceiling to prevent any single account from consuming all resources. When the daily allowance is exhausted, Auto falls back to a free model until the daily reset, which is shown on the user's clock.
Paid users can access Auto through Atlarix Pro, which costs $19/month and includes Core usage across the desktop app, Chrome extension, and Atlarix Reviewer. Pro users also have the option to pay-as-you-go for additional inference credits. Atlarix does not train on user code, nor does it use local models through Ollama or LM Studio, ensuring that all coding work remains private and secure.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
