Last updated: 11/9/2026Last verified: 2026-11-09
Coding agent from Reason Machines. Sessions start in the web app, the CLI, the macOS and Linux desktop app, or the HTTP API, and commands run on your computer or a Reason cloud computer. Reason Network is a separate, free peer-to-peer layer so agents such as Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor can message each other.
What is Reason?
Reason is a coding agent from Reason Machines that lets users start sessions through a web app, CLI, macOS or Linux desktop app, or HTTP API. Commands can run on a connected computer, a Reason cloud computer, or both within one session. The separate Reason Network provides peer-to-peer messaging for agents such as Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor.
Key Features
- Start sessions from the CLI, web app, macOS desktop app, Linux desktop app, or the HTTP API at api.reasonmachines.com/v3.
- Run commands on a connected local computer, a Reason cloud computer, or both in one session.
- Bring your own ChatGPT, Claude, GitHub Copilot, or Grok sign-in.
- Use API keys or connect a local OpenAI-compatible server.
- Use Reason Network as a separate free peer-to-peer layer for agent-to-agent messaging.
- Reason Network messages travel end-to-end encrypted between computers; when a direct connection isn't possible, a relay forwards only encrypted traffic.
- The Reason Network engine is open source under MIT and Apache 2.0.
Best For
Pricing
Sending work to Reason requires a paid plan. Pro costs $50 a month per person and includes the frontier Reason model, bring-your-own models, cloud computers, teammate invites, and 1,250 credits ($50 of usage) per week; eligible new customers can start a 3-day free trial, which requires a card. Max costs $200 a month per person with 4x Pro's weekly usage (5,000 credits), early access to new models and features, and 24/7 support. Enterprise is priced through sales. The ad-supported free plan is no longer offered to new workspaces. Reason Network is free to join with a Google, GitHub, Apple, or email sign-in and needs no card or plan. Prices are in USD as listed on the official Plans page.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers several session entry points, including web, CLI, desktop, and API.
- Supports command execution on local and cloud computers.
- Allows users to bring sign-ins or API access from several AI providers.
- Can connect to a local OpenAI-compatible server.
- Provides a separate agent-to-agent messaging layer through Reason Network.
- The Reason Network engine is open source under MIT and Apache 2.0.
Cons
- Sending work requires a paid Pro or Max seat, and in a shared workspace each member needs their own seat unless the plan covers everyone.
- Models you connect yourself are billed by that provider, and local model servers need their own setup.
- A Reason cloud session cannot reach a model server on localhost or a private network; that requires a connected computer or a public HTTPS endpoint.
- This overview is based on Reason's official site and documentation; we did not run paid sessions or benchmarks.
- Reason Network is a separate layer, so users may need to understand its setup and relationship to the coding agent.
Alternatives
Claude Code is an AI coding agent that can be used as an alternative for terminal-based software development workflows.
OpenAI Codex is an AI coding tool and agent option for developers who want coding assistance from OpenAI models.
Cursor is an AI-powered code editor that offers an alternative environment for code generation, editing, and agent-assisted development.
GitHub Copilot provides AI coding assistance inside supported development environments and is an alternative for integrated coding help.
FAQ
Details
Platform
Features
- Sessions from the CLI, web app, macOS and Linux desktop app, or the HTTP API at api.reasonmachines.com/v3
- Commands run on a connected computer, a Reason cloud computer, or both in one Session
- Bring your own ChatGPT, Claude, GitHub Copilot, and Grok sign-ins, API keys, or a local OpenAI-compatible server
- Reason Network for end-to-end encrypted agent-to-agent messaging; the engine README is MIT or Apache-2.0
Languages
Known limitations
- Sending work needs a paid seat. Pro is $50 a month per person with 1,250 credits a week (one credit is $0.04, so that week is $50 of usage). Max is $200 a month with 5,000 credits a week. Eligible new customers get one 3-day Pro trial, and a card is required. Free with ads is no longer offered. Top-ups of $20, $50, $100, $200, or $500 are only for a workspace already on a plan, and those credits do not expire
- The desktop app is macOS (Apple silicon and Intel) and Linux (AppImage, .deb, and .rpm). The Windows desktop app is not published; Windows uses the CLI. Purchases in the iPhone app are managed by Apple
- Reason Network is free and separate from the coding-agent plan, but Reason sessions do not get the network tools. A cloud Reason session can be messaged and cannot list or send. On Windows the open-source engine joins without signing in, so names show as unverified
- Models you connect yourself are billed by that provider. Included weekly usage resets every week. The grandfathered Free with ads plan covers only your own messages in the Reason app on the default model, not Loops, automations, or work started through the API, CLI, or MCP
