Continue is a pioneering open-source AI coding agent available as a CLI, VS Code extension, and JetBrains plugin. It offers agent mode for autonomous development tasks, chat mode for code questions, edit mode for in-file changes, and inline autocomplete — all running with your own models and providers.

Key Features

• Agent mode — work on development tasks together with the AI, executing multi-step changes
• Chat mode — ask general questions and get clarifications about your codebase
• Edit mode — modify sections of code without leaving the current file
• Inline autocomplete — receives code suggestions as you type
• Continue CLI (cn) — terminal-native AI coding assistance
• Model flexibility — use local or cloud models through your own providers

Why Use Continue?

Continue started as one of the friendliest entry points into open-source AI-assisted coding. Its Apache 2.0 licence, multi-surface availability (CLI, editor, IDE), and focus on keeping the AI a collaborator rather than replacing the developer made it a community favourite before its acquisition by Cursor.

Use Cases

• Pair-programming assistance inside VS Code or JetBrains IDEs
• Understanding unfamiliar code sections through natural-language chat
• Autonomous multi-step edits with agent mode
• Terminal-first workflows with the Continue CLI

Platform

VS Code · JetBrains · Terminal (CLI)

Licence

Apache License 2.0 (open source)

Website

continue.dev