Is there a free AI tool for writing code, and is it any good?

Yes, there are solid free options. The most well-known is probably Code Llama, which Meta released as an open-source model specifically for coding tasks. It's completely free to use, though you'll need to run it yourself or find a platform that hosts it. But here's the thing about free coding tools — they're not all created equal, and the way you access them matters a lot. Some platforms offer Code Llama through a chat interface for free, but with limits. HuggingChat, for instance, lets you pick Code Llama as the engine without paying a dime. The catch? During busy times, you might wait a bit for responses. I've found the 34 billion parameter version handles Python and JavaScript really well, but struggles with more niche languages like Rust. The code it writes isn't always perfect. You'll still need to review it. Think of it like a talented intern — fast, helpful, but needs supervision. A useful tip: when using any free coding AI, ask it to explain its logic step by step in comments. This does two things. First, it helps you learn. Second, it makes bugs way easier to spot. If the explanation doesn't match what the code actually does, you've found your problem. Also worth noting — DeepSeek's models have been making waves lately for coding tasks and are open-source too. The landscape shifts fast. What's free today might have a paid tier tomorrow, so always check the current terms on whatever platform you're using.