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Getting Started with Continue

Welcome to Continue! This guide will walk you through your first steps with AI-assisted development.

Quick Start Checklist​

Before we begin, make sure you have:

  • VS Code or JetBrains IDE installed
  • An active internet connection
  • 5 minutes to set up Continue

Step 1: Installation​

Choose your IDE and follow the installation steps:

VS Code​

  1. Open VS Code
  2. Go to Extensions (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + X)
  3. Search for "Continue"
  4. Click Install

JetBrains​

  1. Open your JetBrains IDE
  2. Go to Settings → Plugins
  3. Search for "Continue"
  4. Click Install and restart

Step 2: First Run​

After installation:

  1. Look for the Continue icon in your IDE
  2. Click to open the Continue panel
  3. Sign in to Continue Hub
  4. Select your first assistant

Step 3: Your First AI Interaction​

Try these beginner-friendly commands:

Ask a Question​

Type in the chat: "How do I create a function in Python?"

Generate Code​

  1. Create a new file
  2. Type a comment: // Function to calculate fibonacci
  3. Press Tab to see Continue's suggestion

Explain Code​

  1. Select any code in your editor
  2. Press Cmd/Ctrl + L (VS Code) or Cmd/Ctrl + J (JetBrains)
  3. Ask: "What does this code do?"

Step 4: Explore Features​

Chat​

  • Ask questions about your code
  • Get explanations of errors
  • Request code improvements

Autocomplete​

  • Start typing and see suggestions
  • Press Tab to accept
  • Use arrow keys to navigate options

Edit​

  • Select code to modify
  • Describe the changes you want
  • Review and apply suggestions

Next Steps​

Now that you're set up:

  1. Explore Assistants: Try different AI models
  2. Customize Settings: Adjust to your preferences
  3. Learn Shortcuts: Master keyboard commands
  4. Join Community: Get help and share tips

Pro Tips​

  • Be Specific: The more context you provide, the better the suggestions
  • Iterate: Don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions
  • Experiment: Try different approaches to find what works best

Getting Help​

Welcome to the future of coding with Continue! 🚀