Agentic AI Comparison:
Continue vs Smol AI Developer
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Introduction
This report provides a detailed comparison between Smol AI Developer, an open-source AI tool for generating entire codebases from natural language prompts acting as a virtual junior developer, and Continue, an open-source AI code assistant that integrates directly into IDEs like VS Code for enhanced coding productivity.
Overview
Smol AI Developer
Smol AI Developer is a command-line based, open-source tool that scaffolds complete applications from concise product specs using iterative prompting. It excels in rapid prototyping across various languages and frameworks but requires detailed prompts and manual fixes for complex apps, with API costs for generations (~$10 for full-stack).
Continue
Continue is an open-source AI coding assistant that embeds into IDEs such as VS Code, offering autocomplete, chat-based code editing, and custom model support. It emphasizes seamless integration into developer workflows with high flexibility for personalization.[user-provided URLs]
Metrics Comparison
autonomy
Continue: 6
Moderate autonomy as it assists within the IDE through suggestions and edits but relies on user direction and manual application of changes rather than independent codebase generation.[user-provided URLs]
Smol AI Developer: 8
High autonomy in generating full codebases from single prompts and iterating based on feedback, functioning like a virtual junior developer with minimal initial setup.
Smol AI Developer offers greater standalone autonomy for prototyping entire apps, while Continue provides targeted assistance integrated into existing workflows.
ease of use
Continue: 9
Highly intuitive IDE integration (e.g., VS Code) with familiar autocomplete, chat interfaces, and quick setup, making it accessible for daily coding without prompt engineering expertise.[user-provided URLs]
Smol AI Developer: 6
Command-line interface with minimal logging requires crafting detailed prompts (like product requirement docs) and handling errors such as missing configs or bugs manually.
Continue is significantly easier for seamless daily use, whereas Smol AI Developer demands more tinkering and iteration.
flexibility
Continue: 9
Highly flexible with support for any LLM, custom configurations, codebase context, and extensible features tailored to individual developer preferences in IDEs.[user-provided URLs]
Smol AI Developer: 9
Versatile across diverse programming languages, frameworks, and app types as a generalist tool, allowing broad prototyping with custom prompting and code tweaks.
Both score highly; Smol for broad app generation versatility, Continue for customizable AI assistance in any coding context.
cost
Continue: 9
Fully open-source and free, with support for local/open models to avoid API costs entirely, or paid APIs as optional.[user-provided URLs]
Smol AI Developer: 7
Open-source and free to use, but generations incur OpenAI API costs (~$10 per complex full-stack app); no subscription required.
Continue edges out with zero mandatory costs via local models, while Smol incurs usage-based API expenses.
popularity
Continue: 9
Strong adoption as a leading open-source IDE AI assistant with active GitHub development, extensive docs, and widespread use in developer communities.[user-provided URLs]
Smol AI Developer: 7
Gained quick notoriety as an early mover with YouTube buzz and community examples, but niche as a prototyping tool.
Continue demonstrates higher sustained popularity and community engagement compared to Smol's initial hype.
Conclusions
Continue outperforms overall (avg. score 8.4) due to superior ease of use, cost efficiency, and popularity for integrated daily coding, making it ideal for most developers. Smol AI Developer (avg. score 7.4) shines in autonomy and flexibility for quick prototyping of diverse apps where full codebase generation is prioritized over workflow integration.