Continue.dev
Continue is an open-source coding assistant that runs inside VSCode and JetBrains · inline completions, chat, and local-model support.
Continue is an open-source coding assistant that runs inside VSCode and JetBrains · inline completions, chat, and local-model support.
Basic
Continue launched 2023. The extension works in both VSCode and JetBrains IDEs with a unified config file. Features: inline autocomplete (Tab-complete), chat sidebar, slash commands, and /edit for inline refactors. Supports Ollama, OpenAI, Claude, and OpenRouter. Popular for teams wanting a Copilot alternative without per-seat licensing.
Deep
Continue ships two primary models: a fast autocomplete model (small, local-friendly) and a chat model (larger, remote). The `config.json` system lets teams standardize on specific models and prompts across developers. Enterprise features include on-prem deployment, audit logs, and SOC2 compliance. As of 2026, Continue has ~20K GitHub stars and is widely deployed at enterprises wary of Copilot data leakage.
Expert
Continue's context providers system (@codebase, @docs, @terminal, @file) is modular · plug in new context types per team. The TypeScript core is shared between VSCode and JetBrains ports, minimizing drift. MCP server support shipped mid-2025. The company behind it raised a Series A to commercialize team features while keeping the core open source (Apache-2.0).
Depending on why you're here
- ·Apache-2.0 · cross-IDE core in TypeScript
- ·Pluggable context providers · extensible architecture
- ·MCP-compatible client
- ·Free for individuals · enterprise features via Continue for Teams
- ·Works in both VSCode and JetBrains · same config
- ·Supports local models (Ollama) for air-gapped teams
- ·Series A raised in 2024 · commercial strategy: enterprise team features
- ·Open-source traction → top-down enterprise adoption
- ·Competes with Copilot, Cursor, Codeium on IDE UX
- ·A free alternative to GitHub Copilot · works in your favorite IDE
- ·Lets you choose which AI to use · including free local models
- ·Popular with companies that can't use Copilot for data reasons
Continue is the open-source Copilot that your company's security team will actually approve.