# Continue

> Continue is an Apache-2.0 coding agent shipped as a VS Code extension, a JetBrains plugin and a CLI (cn). It offers chat, inline edits, tab autocomplete and an agent mode that uses tools and runs commands, connects to MCP servers, and has a headless CLI mode for scripts and CI. It works with cloud model keys or local models through Ollama. The README says the repository is no longer actively maintained and is read-only; 2.0.0 is the final release (checked October 2026), so expect no new fixes.

- Repository: https://github.com/continuedev/continue
- Official docs: https://docs.continue.dev
- Checked: 2026-10-21

## What it replaces
- Claude Code: Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent, Run commands and tests, Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains, Connect tools and data through MCP, Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partial). CLI, IDE plugins, MCP and headless mode are all there, but the project is no longer maintained and has no documented commit or PR workflow.
  - Use it instead of paying for Claude Code? Personal use: Yes. Business: Yes.
- Cursor: Multi-line tab completion and next-edit prediction, Let an agent plan and edit across many files, Run terminal commands and tests from the agent, Connect tools and data through MCP (partial). An extension for VS Code and JetBrains rather than its own editor; no cloud background agents, and no further updates.
  - Use it instead of paying for Cursor? Personal use: Yes. Business: Yes.

## Facts, with sources

| Question | Status | Answer | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs on my machine? | Confirmed | Yes, runs inside your IDE or terminal on your own machine | https://github.com/continuedev/continue#readme | 2026-10-21 |
| Code licence | Confirmed | Apache-2.0 | https://github.com/continuedev/continue/blob/main/LICENSE | 2026-10-21 |
| Model weights licence | Confirmed | No separate model weights | https://github.com/continuedev/continue#readme | 2026-10-21 |
| Commercial use | Confirmed | Apache-2.0 allows commercial use | https://github.com/continuedev/continue#license | 2026-10-21 |
| Paid services needed? | Partial | Not required with local models via Ollama; cloud model API keys are optional | https://docs.continue.dev/guides/ollama-guide | 2026-10-21 |
| Hardware | Confirmed | No stated needs for the extension or CLI; the Ollama guide asks for 8GB RAM minimum (16GB+ recommended) for local models | https://docs.continue.dev/guides/ollama-guide | 2026-10-21 |
| Operating systems | Confirmed | Windows, macOS and Linux (VS Code and JetBrains); the CLI shell installer is macOS/Linux, npm install elsewhere | https://docs.continue.dev/guides/ollama-guide | 2026-10-21 |
| Setup effort | Confirmed | Easy; install the extension from the VS Code Marketplace, then add a model | https://docs.continue.dev/ide-extensions/install | 2026-10-21 |

GitHub: 36290 stars, 5501 forks, last push 2026-10-20, archived: no.
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Source: RepoQuarry (https://repoquarry.dev/projects/continue). Data licence: CC BY 4.0. Quotes are from project documentation and belong to their authors.