Aide IDE: NEW AI Editor - FREE Cursor + Windsurf Alternative! Opensource + Local!

Introduction

A new week brings us an exciting development in the world of AI-native integrated development environments (IDEs). Previously, we explored Windsurf AI by Codium, which emerged as an excellent alternative to Cursor. Windsurf AI has introduced a built-in search engine enabling developers to utilize the full context of their codebases, making it a powerful agentic IDE with comprehensive contextual awareness and enhanced automated coding capabilities.

While we have showcased Cursor on this channel, which impresses with its composer feature, both Windsurf AI and Cursor have key limitations—neither is open-source. However, today I am thrilled to introduce Aide, an open-source AI-native code editor that is a fork of Visual Studio Code (VS Code).

Features of Aide

Aide combines the robust, familiar features of VS Code with state-of-the-art AI capabilities. It offers a seamless coding experience, integrating chat and editing flows that enhance developer productivity. Below are some standout attributes of Aide:

Proactive Agents: Aide suggests fixes proactively, addressing missing files and iterating on errors directly in the context of your code.
Developer Control: Developers maintain control over their coding processes, with functionalities like VS Code's native checkpoints for seamless rollbacks should agent edits not meet expectations.
Flexible Workflows: Aide allows for various workflows, including brainstorming or editing first. Developers can tag files similarly to the Composer tool, contextualizing their problems easily.
Quick Invoke: akin to macOS’s Spotlight, Aide features a floating widget activated by Command + K for instant interaction, enabling developers to select text and prompt the AI for immediate edits.
Local First Approach: Designed with privacy in mind, Aide offers enhanced performance and control, utilizing a sidecar binary to manage prompt responses locally, with an optional subscription for shared data processing.
Deep Reasoning: Aide breaks down complex changes into manageable units, providing clarity and improving the coding process.
Blazing Fast Edits & Context Persistence: Aide maintains a continuous, real-time context over your code base.

Getting Started

You can install Aide on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Upon installation, the interface bears similarities to Cursor, Pair AI, and other IDEs, capitalizing on the familiar VS Code layout. With the chat tab available on the right panel, you can interact with Aide as your personal coding assistant during project iterations.

Using Command + Shift + C, you can pin files or folders to provide context. Additionally, the inline editing feature activated through Command + K allows you to give instructions or requests directly to Aide.

After creating a free account, you’ll set up providers for models within Aide. You can choose from various options, including open-source models, with minimal setup required.

To test Aide’s capabilities, you can generate a simple to-do app. Aide will create components, generate the application theme, and execute commands for you, providing a real-time development experience. For example, it automatically installs necessary packages and starts the server, enabling you to visualize your application almost immediately.

As showcased, the built capabilities allow Aide to create functionality, animations, and user interfaces with impressive speed and efficiency.

In conclusion, Aide represents a powerful new player in the AI coding assistant space. Being open-source, it empowers developers with control, privacy, and extensive functionalities. I highly encourage you to try Aide and discover what this robust IDE can offer for your coding ventures.

You can find all the links necessary to get started in the description below. Stay updated on the latest AI developments, and I hope you have a fantastic day!

Keyword

Aide IDE
AI-native code editor
Open-source
Integration with VS Code
Proactive agents
Developer control
Flexible workflows
Quick invoke feature
Context persistence
Local first approach

FAQ

What is Aide?
Aide is an open-source, AI-native code editor that is a fork of Visual Studio Code, combining familiar VS Code features with advanced AI capabilities.

Is Aide free?
Yes, Aide is completely free and open-source, providing an excellent alternative to other paid IDEs.

What platforms is Aide available on?
Aide can be installed on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

How does Aide maintain privacy?
Aide is designed with a local-first approach, offering data privacy by processing prompts and responses locally, with the option for an external data processing subscription.

Can I customize the AI models used in Aide?
Yes, users can choose from various providers and models within Aide, including open-source options that require no additional configuration.