Amp Code vs Capy: AI Coding Agent Comparison
Contents
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Amp (by Sourcegraph) is a CLI-based AI coding agent powered by frontier models with Sourcegraph's code intelligence. Capy is a cloud IDE for running multiple AI agents in parallel with full VM isolation. Amp brings team collaboration and code search depth. Capy brings parallel execution and end-to-end automation.
TL;DR
- Amp leverages Sourcegraph's code intelligence and adds team collaboration features (shared threads, workflows, leaderboards).
- Capy runs unlimited parallel agents in isolated VMs with a two-agent architecture (Captain + Build) and automated PR workflows.
- Amp is strongest for teams already on Sourcegraph. Capy is strongest for parallel throughput.
What is Capy?
Capy solves a different problem than code intelligence. It's a browser-based platform where you spin up as many coding agents as you need, each working in its own sandboxed cloud environment.
A Captain agent reads your codebase and decomposes work into specs. Build agents pick up those specs and execute them — installing dependencies, running tests, committing code — in separate VMs that can't interfere with each other. A review step checks the output before PRs land on GitHub.
What is Amp?
Amp is an AI coding agent built by Sourcegraph, the company behind the code intelligence platform. It's a terminal CLI that uses frontier AI models to generate code changes. (Amp previously had a VS Code extension, but killed it in March 2026 to go all-in on the CLI.)
Amp has team collaboration features — shared threads, workflows, and context that let teams build on each other's patterns. It also benefits from Sourcegraph's code search capabilities.
Amp uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model, with a free tier that offers daily grants. It supports multiple models including Claude and GPT variants, and recently added a review agent.
"Code intelligence tells you what exists. A planning agent tells you what to build and how. Both are valuable — they solve different problems."
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Amp | Capy |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | CLI (previously also VS Code) | Cloud IDE with isolated VMs |
| Code intelligence | Sourcegraph's code search engine | Captain's full codebase analysis |
| Parallel agents | Limited (threads, not true parallel VMs) | Unlimited concurrent tasks in isolated VMs |
| Team features | Shared threads, workflows, leaderboards | Task dashboard, shared project view |
| Model support | Frontier models (Claude, GPT) | 30+ models (Claude, GPT, Gemini, Grok, etc.) |
| Code review | Extensible review agent (new) | Built-in Review Agent with triage workflow |
| Git workflow | Manual | Automated: task → branch → PR |
| Environment | Local machine | Full Ubuntu VM per task |
| Pricing | Pay-as-you-go + free tier | Free trial, Pro from $20/mo |
Where Capy wins
True parallel execution. Amp's threads are sequential conversations. Capy's tasks are genuinely parallel — five agents working in five separate cloud VMs at the same time. When you have a backlog to clear, the throughput difference compounds fast.
No local environment constraints. Amp runs on your machine, inheriting whatever toolchain you have installed. Capy's Build agents run in fresh cloud VMs with Docker, system packages, and common runtimes available out of the box.
Planning as a first-class step. Captain produces multi-step implementation plans that Build agents execute autonomously. Amp leverages Sourcegraph's code graph for understanding, but the strategic decomposition of work still falls on you.
Tighter review loop. Capy's review step triages findings as open, resolved, or irrelevant, and routes open issues back for automated fixing. Amp's review capabilities are newer and don't yet have the same automated fix pipeline.
Broader model selection. 30+ models including Gemini, Grok, GLM, and Kimi alongside Claude and GPT. You can compare outputs on the same task, or match model strengths to task types.
Where Amp wins
Sourcegraph's code intelligence. If you're already using Sourcegraph, Amp benefits from its code search, cross-repository references, and dependency analysis. That context helps for large codebases.
Terminal workflow. Amp runs in your terminal — no browser tab to manage.
Team thread sharing. Shared threads and workflows let teams reuse each other's patterns.
Enterprise contracts. If your organization already trusts Sourcegraph with code access, Amp inherits that trust.
Who should use what?
Use Capy if:
- You need true parallel development — multiple agents, multiple tasks, isolated VMs
- You want AI-assisted planning, not just AI-assisted coding
- Automated PR creation and integrated code review matter to your workflow
- You want to compare models easily or use non-standard models (Gemini, Grok, etc.)
Use Amp if:
- You're already on Sourcegraph and want code intelligence in your AI agent
- You prefer terminal workflows over browser-based platforms
- Team collaboration features (shared threads, workflows) are a priority
- You're in an enterprise with existing Sourcegraph contracts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amp Code the same as Sourcegraph Cody?+
Can Amp Code run tasks in parallel?+
Code intelligence is powerful. Parallel execution changes the game.
Ship a full sprint in the time it takes to finish one task.
