AI Agents

OpenHands

OpenHands develops open-source AI coding agents for autonomous software development tasks.

Founded
2024
Last valuation
$18.8M (2025)
Key product
Autonomous coding agent
Notable backer
Madrona
GitHub stars
70,000+
Enterprise clients
AMD, Apple, Google, Amazon, Netflix, TikTok, NVIDIA, Mastercard, VMware
Agent Control Plane launch
May 2026
Open-source license
MIT

About

OpenHands is an open-source platform that enables the creation and deployment of autonomous AI coding agents capable of performing a wide range of software development tasks. These agents can autonomously write code, run commands, browse the web, and open pull requests, operating end-to-end within secure, sandboxed environments such as Docker or Kubernetes. This approach allows developers to offload repetitive tasks, enhancing productivity and code quality. The platform is model-agnostic, supporting various large language models (LLMs) through a 'Bring Your Own Key' (BYOK) model or OpenHands' at-cost provider, offering flexibility in model selection. OpenHands provides multiple interfaces, including a Python SDK, command-line interface (CLI), local graphical user interface (GUI), and OpenHands Cloud, catering to diverse developer preferences and workflows. Additionally, the platform offers a source-available enterprise edition, enabling organizations to deploy and manage agents at scale while maintaining control over their environments.

Founded in 2024 as OpenDevin, OpenHands quickly gained traction within the developer community, amassing over 70,000 GitHub stars and 9,000 forks by June 2026. The project was co-created by Carnegie Mellon University professor Graham Neubig and evolved into a company co-founded by Robert Brennan, Xingyao Wang, and Neubig. In November 2025, OpenHands secured an $18.8 million Series A funding round led by Madrona, with participation from Menlo Ventures, Obvious Ventures, Fujitsu Ventures, and Alumni Ventures. This funding has been instrumental in advancing the platform's development and expanding its capabilities. The company's mission is to make software development more open, human-centered, and safe, enabling engineering teams to delegate real work to autonomous agents with full visibility and control.

OpenHands' flagship product is its autonomous coding agent, which has been adopted by engineers at leading technology companies, including AMD, Apple, Google, Amazon, Netflix, TikTok, NVIDIA, Mastercard, and VMware. These organizations utilize OpenHands to automate various software engineering tasks, such as code writing, testing, debugging, and pull request management. The platform's flexibility and scalability have made it a valuable tool for both individual developers and large enterprises. In May 2026, OpenHands launched the Agent Control Plane, an operational layer designed to manage the deployment and orchestration of AI agents across organizations. This control plane provides centralized management, security, and optimization of agent fleets, addressing the challenges associated with scaling AI agents in enterprise environments. The launch of the Agent Control Plane underscores OpenHands' commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for managing AI-driven engineering work at scale.

OpenHands operates in a competitive landscape alongside other AI coding agents like GitHub Copilot and proprietary systems such as Devin. However, its open-source nature, model-agnostic approach, and enterprise-focused features distinguish it in the market. The platform's ability to integrate with existing toolchains, including GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Slack, and Jira, enhances its appeal to organizations seeking customizable and scalable solutions. OpenHands' focus on security, transparency, and control has resonated with the developer community, contributing to its rapid adoption and growth. The company's ongoing development efforts aim to further enhance the capabilities of its AI agents, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of modern software development teams.

OpenHands' commitment to open-source principles and community-driven development has fostered a vibrant ecosystem of contributors and users. The platform's extensive documentation, active community forums, and transparent security practices have facilitated widespread adoption and collaboration. By providing a comprehensive suite of tools and resources, OpenHands empowers developers to build, deploy, and manage AI coding agents effectively, driving innovation and efficiency in software development processes. The company's strategic collaborations, such as the partnership with AMD to advance agent performance and enterprise readiness, highlight its dedication to continuous improvement and responsiveness to industry needs. As OpenHands continues to evolve, it remains focused on delivering solutions that enhance the capabilities of software development teams through the effective use of AI-driven automation.

Why it matters

OpenHands is a pivotal player in the AI economy, offering an open-source, model-agnostic platform for autonomous AI coding agents. Its approach allows developers to automate complex software engineering tasks, enhancing productivity and code quality. The platform's flexibility in supporting various large language models and its scalable deployment options make it a significant tool for both individual developers and enterprises. OpenHands' rapid adoption, evidenced by over 70,000 GitHub stars and partnerships with major technology companies, underscores its impact on the AI-driven transformation of software development. The recent launch of the Agent Control Plane further solidifies its position by providing centralized management of AI agents at scale, addressing a critical need in enterprise environments. OpenHands' commitment to open-source principles and community-driven development fosters innovation and collaboration, positioning it as a key contributor to the evolving AI landscape in software engineering.

Notable for

OpenHands is renowned for its open-source, model-agnostic platform that enables autonomous AI coding agents to perform end-to-end software development tasks.

Flagship products

OpenHands coding agent

Tags

open-sourceai-coding-agentsenterprise-ai