Continue.dev
Continue.dev is an open-source IDE extension that aims to be an “autopilot for software development.” It integrates with VS Code and JetBrains IDEs, allowing developers to leverage Large Language Models (LLMs) with the full context of their codebase. Users can interact with Continue.dev through natural language prompts to generate code, refactor existing code, debug issues, and automate various development tasks.
Key Features in “Programming by Prompt”
- Codebase Contextualization: Automatically indexes your codebase and provides relevant context to the LLM for more accurate and relevant responses.
- Natural Language Task Execution: You can describe tasks in natural language (e.g., “add a new route for /users”, “refactor this class to use dependency injection”, “explain this complex function”).
- Inline Code Generation & Editing: Generates and suggests changes directly within your editor.
- Slash Commands & Custom Recipes: Offers predefined slash commands for common actions (e.g.,
/edit, /test, /debug) and allows users to create custom “recipes” (multi-step prompts) for complex or repetitive tasks.
- Model Agnostic: Supports various LLMs, both local and remote (OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, etc.), allowing users to choose based on their needs and preferences.
- Session History & Diff Viewer: Keeps track of interactions and allows easy viewing of AI-suggested changes.
- Open Source & Extensible: Being open source, it allows for customization and contributions.
Use Cases
- Generating new features, components, or files based on natural language descriptions.
- Refactoring code by providing high-level instructions on the desired changes.
- Debugging by describing errors and asking for explanations or fixes.
- Writing documentation or comments for existing code.
- Automating repetitive coding patterns through custom recipes.
- Learning new parts of a codebase by asking the AI to explain them.
Pros
- Deeply integrates LLM capabilities within popular IDEs with codebase context.
- Open-source, providing flexibility and community support.
- Model agnostic, allowing users to switch between different LLMs.
- Powerful slash command and custom recipe system for workflow automation.
- Helps maintain flow by keeping AI interactions within the IDE.
Cons
- Performance and quality of suggestions depend on the chosen LLM and the quality of the provided context/prompt.
- Setting up and configuring different models might require some technical effort.
- Context window limitations of LLMs can still be a factor for very large codebases, though Continue.dev aims to manage this.
- Requires API keys or access to local LLMs.
Getting Started
- Install the Continue.dev extension from the VS Code Marketplace or JetBrains Plugin Marketplace.
- Configure your preferred LLM provider(s) (e.g., by adding API keys or specifying local model endpoints in the
config.json or through the UI).
- Open a project and start interacting with Continue by typing prompts in its input box or using slash commands in your code files.
In Summary: Continue.dev empowers developers to “program by prompt” effectively within their familiar IDE environment. By providing deep codebase context to LLMs and offering a flexible interface for natural language interaction, it significantly enhances AI-assisted software development.