Continue Dev
Open-source AI code assistant
Continue is an open-source AI coding assistant that provides source-controlled AI checks enforceable in CI, with a model-agnostic architecture that lets you connect any LLM from cloud providers to fully local models. Available as a VS Code and JetBrains plugin, Continue keeps you in your existing editor while adding AI-powered chat, autocomplete, editing, and agentic coding capabilities.
Key Capabilities
Continue provides four core features: Chat for conversing with LLMs about code, Autocomplete for intelligent code suggestions, Edit for inline code modifications, and Action for custom AI-powered workflows. Agent mode handles multi-file refactoring and complex tasks autonomously. The model-agnostic architecture supports any LLM including local models via Ollama, Llama, Mistral, and cloud providers like OpenAI and Anthropic. Enterprise features include allow/block lists, organization secret protection, managed proxy authentication, and SSO via SAML or OIDC.
Who Should Use Continue Dev
Continue is ideal for developers and teams who want AI coding assistance without vendor lock-in or data privacy concerns. It is particularly valuable for organizations that need to self-host their AI infrastructure, teams that want to experiment with different models, and enterprises that require governance features like allow/block lists and SSO integration.
Getting Started
Install the Continue extension from the VS Code Marketplace or JetBrains Plugin Marketplace. Configure your preferred AI model by pointing Continue to a cloud API key or a local Ollama instance. Start using chat, autocomplete, and edit features immediately. Customize agent behaviors and create custom actions for your team's specific workflows.
Pricing & Accessibility: Continue is completely free and open-source under the Apache 2.0 license. The source code is available on GitHub. Enterprise features including governance, SSO, and managed proxy are available through Continue's commercial offering.
Why Consider Continue Dev: Continue is the leading open-source AI coding assistant that gives teams complete control over their AI models, data, and infrastructure while providing enterprise-grade governance features.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source under Apache 2.0 license
- Model-agnostic architecture supports any LLM including local models
- Works with both VS Code and JetBrains IDEs
- Enterprise governance features including SSO and allow/block lists
- Full data privacy with local model support via Ollama
Cons
- Requires self-setup and configuration unlike turnkey commercial alternatives
- Quality of AI assistance depends entirely on the chosen model
- Enterprise governance features require commercial offering
Who is this for?
AI-assisted coding with full data privacy, multi-model experimentation across cloud and local LLMs, enterprise AI coding with governance controls, multi-file agentic refactoring, custom AI workflow automation
Frequently Asked Questions about Continue Dev
Is Continue Dev really free?
Yes, Continue is completely free and open-source under the Apache 2.0 license. You can use it with your own API keys for cloud models or with free local models via Ollama. Enterprise governance features are available through Continue's commercial offering.
What AI models work with Continue?
Continue works with virtually any LLM. You can connect cloud providers like OpenAI (GPT-4), Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), or run local models via Ollama including Llama, Mistral, CodeLlama, and more. You can switch models per task for optimal results.
How does Continue compare to GitHub Copilot?
Continue offers similar features (chat, autocomplete, edit, agent) but is open-source and model-agnostic. Unlike Copilot, you can use any AI model, run everything locally for full privacy, and customize the tool for your team's specific workflows.
Pricing
free
$0
Free tier: Full access to all open-source features
Details
APINo
Open SourceYes
CollaborationYes
LanguagesEnglish
Learning CurveModerate
Integrations
VS CodeJetBrains IDEsOllamaOpenAIAnthropic+1 more
