Continue

What is Continue?

Continue is an open-source AI coding assistant that brings chat and agentic coding into the tools you already use. It started as a VS Code extension and grew into a suite that covers JetBrains IDEs and a command line interface, so you can get AI help without switching editors.

The project was built with a strong community ethos: the codebase is freely available, and the team has described its mission as amplifying developers rather than automating them away. The open-source core remains available as a foundation that anyone can build on or extend.

Unlike closed assistants that lock you into one model provider, Continue lets you configure the models you want, from cloud providers to local models, and it supports custom agents you can create, share and reuse.

Key Features

• Agent mode that works on development tasks together with you
• Chat mode for asking questions about your code
• Edit mode to modify code sections without leaving your file
• Autocomplete suggestions as you type
• Continue CLI (cn) for terminal-native AI coding assistance
• Custom agents you can create, share and reuse
• Works with many model providers, including local models
• Open-source codebase under the Apache 2.0 license

How to get started

Install the Continue extension from the VS Code marketplace or the JetBrains plugin marketplace, then configure a model provider in the settings. You can start chatting about your codebase immediately, and agent mode lets the assistant take on bigger tasks with your approval.

• Install the Continue extension in VS Code or JetBrains
• Pick a model provider and add your API key
• Open a project and start a chat about your code
• Try agent mode for multi-step coding tasks
• Use the Continue CLI (cn) from your terminal for quick questions

Use cases

• Asking questions about a codebase you just joined
• Refactoring code with AI-suggested edits you review inline
• Generating tests and documentation
• Fixing lint errors and small bugs with targeted edits
• Building custom agents for team-specific workflows
• Using local models for privacy-sensitive projects

Pricing and licensing

Continue's core is free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license. You can use the extensions and CLI at no cost, and you only pay for the model API usage you choose to consume.

The project has explored paid enterprise and team offerings over time. Since the exact availability of commercial plans changes, check the official website for the current pricing picture.

Pros and cons

The big wins with Continue are openness and flexibility. It works inside the editors developers already use, supports a wide range of models including local ones, and lets you customize agents to match your workflow. The open-source foundation also means the community can extend it freely.

The trade-offs are that you typically need to manage model API keys and costs yourself, and the experience can vary depending on which model you connect. Compared with turnkey products, there is a bit more setup involved.

Alternatives

• Cline: open-source autonomous coding agent in VS Code
• Aider: AI pair programming in the terminal
• OpenCode: open-source terminal AI coding agent
• Goose: open-source AI agent from Block
• Cursor: AI-native graphical editor