Continue

Useful in specific situations

Developer

Continue Dev

Version Reviewed

1.2.0

Last Updated

June 2026

Platform

VS Code, JetBrains

Overview

I started using Continue in mid-2024. It is an open-source AI code assistant that integrates with IDEs like VS Code and JetBrains. It provides inline code suggestions, chat-based assistance, and custom slash commands. Unlike standalone CLI agents, it operates within the editor and can be configured to use various LLM backends, including local models.

I use Continue for in-editor assistance when I want AI help without leaving my IDE. It serves a different purpose than CLI agents and complements them well.

Personal Note

I wanted it to replace my CLI agents, but it serves a different purpose entirely.

What Works Well

• Fully open source with a permissive Apache 2.0 license. I can inspect and modify the code.
• Works with VS Code and JetBrains. The model choice is flexible.
• Custom slash commands let me create reusable workflows for common tasks.
• Privacy-focused. I can run it entirely with local models when needed.
• The community is active with a growing plugin ecosystem.

Where It Works Less Well

• Requires an IDE. It is not a standalone CLI agent.
• Code generation quality varies by the backend model I choose.
• Context understanding is limited to open files and project index.
• Setup is more complex than commercial alternatives.
• I experienced occasional instability when switching models during sessions.

Use Cases

Developers who want an open-source, privacy-respecting AI assistant in their IDE. I found Continue valuable for teams that need to self-host or use custom model deployments.

Engineering Maturity

Medium. Provides solid code suggestions but lacks deep repository understanding. I use it as a pair programming assistant within the context of open files rather than as an autonomous agent.

Product Maturity

Medium-high. The IDE integration is polished. The extension is well maintained. Configuration is complex but well documented.

Developer Experience

Installation through IDE extension marketplaces is straightforward. Configuring models and slash commands requires editing a JSON file. The chat interface is clean and intuitive.

Workflow Integration

Deeply integrated with the IDE. It respects editor context, selection, and language server features. It cannot be used outside the IDE.

Performance

Responsive for inline completions and chat. Performance depends heavily on the backend model choice. Local models show variable latency based on my hardware.

Documentation

Good documentation with setup guides, configuration reference, and examples. The community contributes guides for various setups.

Pricing

Free and open source. Costs are limited to API usage fees when using cloud models. I have used it with local models at no cost.

Platform Support

Available as extensions for VS Code and JetBrains across all platforms.

Verdict

Continue fills a specific niche. It is a privacy-respecting, IDE-integrated code assistant with flexible model backends. I do not see it as a replacement for CLI agents. It serves a complementary role for in-editor workflows.

Changelog