Anthropic Explicitly Blocking OpenCode (gist.github.com)

Anthropic has announced that its Claude Code API explicitly blocks the phrase "You are OpenCode" from its system prompts, highlighting a targeted approach to limit competition from the open-source AI coding assistant, OpenCode. This restriction was demonstrated through a test that utilized Claude's OAuth tokens, where alternative identity phrases like "You are Cursor" and "You are Pi" were permitted, suggesting a nuanced form of selective blocking against a competitor. This development is significant for the AI/ML community as it raises questions about the competitive landscape and ethical considerations of AI service providers restricting access or functionality based on specific competitor references. The technical implications suggest that developers using Anthropic's Claude could face limitations when integrating competing tools, which could influence the choice of coding assistants among developers and organizations. The findings call attention to how companies may use technical controls to shape user experiences and market dynamics within the rapidly evolving AI landscape.