
Continue envisions a future where software developers are empowered with complete control and transparency over their AI tools, revolutionizing how code is written with precision and personalization. We are building an open ecosystem where developers dictate the terms of their interaction with AI, emphasizing amplification of human creativity rather than automation.
Our platform is crafted to create a seamless blend of cutting-edge AI technology and open-source principles, enabling developers to wield powerful custom AI assistants embedded directly in their workflows. By fostering deep customization, privacy, and model freedom, Continue paves the way for the next generation of AI-augmented software development, ensuring that its benefits are accessible, adaptable, and trusted.
Through collaboration and innovation, Continue is cultivating a thriving community that will shape the future of coding with AI, championing transparency, hackability, and empowerment to unlock unprecedented productivity and creativity.
Our Review
We've been tracking Continue for months, and honestly, it's refreshing to see an AI coding tool that doesn't treat developers like they need to be replaced. While everyone else is building black boxes that make mysterious suggestions, Continue went the opposite direction—giving developers full control over their AI assistants.
The platform lets you build custom coding assistants that actually understand your codebase, your team's conventions, and your specific workflows. No vendor lock-in, no mysterious algorithms, just transparent AI that you can hack, modify, and truly own.
What Makes It Different
Continue's "amplify, don't automate" philosophy hits different. Instead of trying to write code for you, it creates AI assistants that enhance what you're already doing. You can connect it to any LLM—GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, or even local Llama models—and customize everything from prompts to context rules.
The fact that it's open-source with Apache 2.0 licensing means you're not just renting AI capabilities. You own them. That 29k GitHub stars and 400+ contributors tell us the developer community is genuinely excited about this approach.
The Enterprise Sweet Spot
We think Continue really shines for teams that have been burned by vendor lock-in before. Enterprise developers who need to keep their code private, maintain compliance standards, and integrate AI into existing workflows without disrupting everything they've built.
The VS Code and JetBrains extensions work seamlessly, but the CLI tool is where things get interesting for DevOps teams. Being able to embed AI into CI/CD pipelines and terminal workflows opens up possibilities that most coding assistants can't touch.
Impressive Momentum
The backing from a16z, Netflix, Microsoft, and other tech heavyweights isn't just about money—it signals that serious players see Continue as the future of developer AI tools. The recent CEO addition and Y Combinator connection suggest this isn't just a side project anymore.
What impressed us most is how actively they're shipping. The October 2025 release shows they're not resting on their open-source popularity. For teams ready to move beyond one-size-fits-all AI coding tools, Continue offers something genuinely different.
Open-source IDE extensions for VS Code and JetBrains
In-line autocomplete and AI-powered code edits
Chat for code questions inside IDEs
Command-line interface (CLI) for AI integration into terminal and DevOps workflows
Custom AI coding assistants connecting to various LLMs including GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, Llama 3
Full control over data, prompt engineering, and workflows
Centralized configuration and credential management for teams
Supports model freedom to avoid vendor lock-in