Llanite guide
Llanite vs Continue.dev
Llanite and Continue.dev are both tools that work with local AI models, but they solve different problems. Continue is an IDE extension that integrates AI completions and chat into VS Code or JetBrains while you code. Llanite is a CLI for installing, running, and managing complete local model stacks from the terminal. They are designed for different workflows and are more complementary than competing.
What Continue.dev is
Continue is an open-source IDE extension for VS Code and JetBrains. It adds an AI chat sidebar, inline edit suggestions, and autocomplete to your editor. Continue supports local models via Ollama as well as cloud models via API keys. It is designed to work inside your IDE — the value is tight integration with your editor, open files, and codebase context while you are actively writing code.
What Llanite is
Llanite is a CLI for installing and running complete local AI agent stacks from the terminal. A Llanite stack bundles a model, runtime, agent loop, tools (filesystem, shell, git), permissions, and hardware requirements into a single installable unit. The goal is to make getting a local model stack running as simple as possible — install the CLI, install a stack, run it. Llanite also makes it easy to swap models, change components, and clear everything.
$ npm install -g @llanite/cli$ llanite install local-coder$ llanite run local-coderHow they differ
The main difference is surface: Continue lives inside your IDE and is built for the moment you are writing code — completions, suggestions, quick explanations. Llanite lives in the terminal and is built for agentic tasks — multi-step work where the agent reads files, runs commands, and iterates. Continue is optimised for the editing loop; Llanite is optimised for the agent loop.
When to use each
Use Continue when you want AI assistance inline while writing code in your editor — autocomplete, quick refactor suggestions, and chat about the file you have open. Use Llanite when you want to run a full agent session from the terminal — give the agent a task, let it read the codebase, make changes, run tests, and report back. Many developers use both: Continue for the IDE layer, Llanite for terminal agent sessions.
Can they work together?
Yes. Both tools support Ollama as a local model backend, so the same locally served model can power both Continue in your IDE and Llanite in your terminal. You can run a Llanite agent session in one terminal tab while writing code with Continue assistance in your editor.
$ # Ollama serves the model for both tools$ ollama serve$ $ # Llanite agent session in terminal$ llanite run local-coderGetting started with Llanite
If you already have Ollama installed for Continue, adding Llanite is just two more commands.
$ npm install -g @llanite/cli$ llanite doctor$ llanite install local-coder$ llanite run local-coderComparison
| Feature | Continue.dev | Llanite |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | IDE extension | Terminal (TUI) |
| Inline completions | ✓ | ✗ |
| Full agentic loop | Partial | ✓ |
| File read/write tools | ✗ | ✓ |
| Shell execution tools | ✗ | ✓ |
| Permission management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Stack management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Local model support | ✓ (via Ollama) | ✓ (via Ollama) |
| Cloud model support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Open source | ✓ | ✓ |
FAQ
Can I use Llanite and Continue.dev at the same time?
Yes. Both tools can use the same Ollama instance to serve a local model. You can have Continue active in your IDE and run a Llanite agent session in a terminal window at the same time.
Does Continue.dev support tool use like file writes?
Continue has some editing capabilities within the IDE context, but it is not designed around a tool-calling agent loop with explicit permission management. Llanite's agent can read and write files, run shell commands, and use git as discrete tool calls with configurable permissions.
Which is better for code review?
Llanite's read-only Compact stack (repo-reviewer) is well suited for code review — it can navigate the codebase, read multiple files, and summarise findings in a terminal session. Continue is better for quick inline review of the file you have open in your editor.
Which is better for multi-file refactors?
Llanite is better suited for multi-step, multi-file tasks where the agent needs to read context across files, make changes, and verify results. Continue is better for targeted edits and suggestions on the file you are currently editing.
Does Llanite integrate with VS Code?
No. Llanite is a terminal-first tool and does not have an IDE extension. It runs in a terminal window alongside your editor rather than inside it.
Do both tools support Ollama?
Yes. Both Continue and Llanite support Ollama as a local model backend. If you already have Ollama set up for Continue, you can use the same Ollama instance with Llanite without any additional configuration.