Continue

Continue is an open source AI code assistant that gives developers complete control over their AI coding experience. Unlike proprietary tools that lock users into specific models, Continue allows you to plug in any LLM backend — OpenAI, Anthropic, local models via Ollama or LM Studio, or even self-hosted private models. This flexibility makes it a powerful choice for developers who want privacy, customization, or the ability to experiment with cutting-edge models as soon as they are released.

The tool integrates directly with VS Code and JetBrains IDEs, providing an AI chat panel, inline code editing, and customizable slash commands that can automate repetitive coding tasks. Continue uses a configuration-as-code approach, so teams can version-control their AI workflows and share them across the organization. The diff-view editing makes it easy to accept or reject AI-suggested changes, keeping the developer firmly in control.

For privacy-conscious teams, Continue’s ability to run entirely offline with local models is unmatched. No code ever needs to leave the developer’s machine. While the setup process is more involved than with turnkey solutions like Copilot or Codeium — requiring model configuration and potentially GPU resources — the trade-off is full data sovereignty and the freedom to use any AI model. Continue is ideal for teams that prioritize privacy, open standards, and maximum flexibility.