List of the Top 4 AI Coding Models for Poolside in 2026

Laguna S 2.1 represents a state-of-the-art open weight coding model that focuses on the completion of long-term projects and demonstrates exceptional reasoning abilities. With a Mixture-of-Experts architecture comprising 118 billion parameters, it engages 8 billion parameters per token and supports a context window of up to one million tokens in both cognitive and non-cognitive modes. The model’s optimized active size enables it to execute complex tasks on local systems while remaining competitive with much larger models across a variety of benchmarks, such as terminal usage, software development, codebase question answering, and tool application. Built for durability, Laguna S 2.1 is adept at addressing demanding challenges with an emphasis on thorough verification and a willingness to backtrack when necessary, rather than hastily claiming victory. In real-world scenarios, it has successfully engineered a browser rendering engine from the ground up, improved an agent harness for faster execution and lower memory requirements, and conducted comprehensive mathematical investigations using the tools available in its environment, showcasing its adaptability and proficiency. This remarkable array of capabilities positions Laguna S 2.1 as an invaluable asset for developers in search of cutting-edge solutions, making it a top choice in the ever-evolving landscape of coding models.

Laguna XS.2 stands out as Poolside's groundbreaking open-weight coding model, noted for being the lightest and fastest in the Laguna lineup. Equipped with a staggering 33 billion parameters organized in a Mixture of Experts structure, of which 3 billion are active, this model has undergone extensive training in-house utilizing 30 trillion tokens. As the most recent generation model available to the public, it features a second-generation architecture and represents Poolside's first open-weight release, benefiting from lessons learned during the Laguna M.1 training process, which utilized synthetic data and reinforcement learning. Tailored specifically to optimize agentic coding workflows, Laguna XS.2 is exceptional in coding, acting, and rapid iteration, particularly within Poolside's coding agent ecosystem. This model is especially beneficial for developers and teams in need of a lightweight and efficient coding solution, as opposed to more complex frontier systems. Released under the flexible Apache 2.0 license, it enables the community to evaluate, refine, quantize, and build upon its weights, fostering an environment of collaborative development. Ultimately, Laguna XS.2 not only serves as a powerful tool for agentic coding but also promotes creativity and experimentation among its users, allowing for a diverse range of applications and enhancements.

Laguna M.1 is recognized as Poolside's premier model for agentic coding, meticulously designed in-house to optimize software development processes. This sophisticated model incorporates 225 billion parameters and employs a Mixture of Experts architecture with 23 billion parameters activated, all trained on a colossal dataset of 30 trillion tokens using a network of 6,144 NVIDIA H200 GPUs. Poolside committed to developing Laguna M.1 from the ground up, utilizing proprietary data, a specialized training codebase, and an asynchronous on-policy reinforcement learning strategy within its agent framework, all specifically oriented towards agentic coding applications. The model's architecture is crafted to deliver top-tier performance within Poolside's coding agent, empowering it to adeptly reason through programming tasks, engage with an array of tools, modify code, run tests, and support extensive autonomous development sessions. Tailored for developers and teams facing complex coding obstacles, Laguna M.1 boasts enhanced capabilities in reasoning, understanding architecture, managing terminal actions, and executing multi-step processes, far exceeding the abilities of lighter models. Overall, its comprehensive feature set establishes it as an indispensable tool for professionals immersed in high-stakes software projects, making it a vital component in the landscape of agentic coding solutions.

The Laguna XS 2.1 represents a sophisticated advancement in coding models, functioning as an open weight agentic system that excels in executing long-duration tasks on local machines. It boasts a robust 33-billion-parameter Mixture-of-Experts architecture, activating 3 billion parameters per token, while preserving the efficient design of its predecessor, Laguna XS.2, and significantly enhancing its capabilities in multilingual software engineering and terminal-related tasks. This model is meticulously crafted to support coding agents in reviewing code repositories, navigating complex changes, leveraging diverse tools, executing commands, and ensuring seamless progress throughout extensive projects. With an impressive context window of 256K, it empowers agents to adeptly handle large codebases, maintain extensive histories, and navigate intricate multi-step workflows. The Laguna XS 2.1 also enjoys compatibility with various platforms like vLLM, SGLang, NVIDIA TensorRT-LLM, Hugging Face Transformers, and Ollama, with aspirations for future native support from llama.cpp. Offered in multiple checkpoint formats such as BF16, FP8, INT4, and NVFP4, it allows developers to choose between high fidelity and configurations designed for environments with restricted VRAM or processing capacity. This versatility not only enhances its usability across different development frameworks but also positions it as a prime choice for diverse programming needs and settings. Furthermore, its ability to adapt to varying project demands makes it a valuable asset for developers seeking efficiency and performance in their workflows.