Start by opening the Extensions marketplace in VS Code or JetBrains and searching for Continue. Install the extension and restart your editor. On first launch, Continue will walk you through connecting a model. You can bring your own OpenAI-compatible endpoint, use a cloud provider, or run a fully local model through Ollama for maximum privacy.

Once connected, Continue adds an AI side panel to your IDE. Use the chat to ask questions about your code, explain unfamiliar functions, or plan a refactor. Because Continue understands your open files and project context, the answers are relevant and grounded in your actual codebase rather than generic suggestions.

Autocomplete works as you type, offering inline suggestions that match your project conventions. You can accept them with Tab or dismiss them with Esc. Inline edits let you select a block of code and ask for a change, such as adding error handling or writing tests, and Continue applies the edit directly.

Customize Continue with slash commands and project rules. Create rules that reflect your coding standards, and add commands like /test or /refactor that trigger specific prompts. This keeps the assistant aligned with how your team actually works.

Because Continue.dev is open source and supports local models, it is an excellent choice for teams that need to keep proprietary code on their own infrastructure. Whether you are an individual developer or an enterprise, you can get powerful AI assistance with full control over data and cost.