VS Code and JetBrains

Continue: connect a cheap AI API

Continue is the rare case where the same config works in both VS Code and JetBrains IDEs. The provider is declared as openai with an apiBase.

Continue

Extension for VS Code and JetBrains

Install the Continue extension, then create an API key on the Keys page.

Open ~/.continue/config.yaml and add the models. Roles tell Continue what each model is for.

yaml

models:
  - name: Opus 4.8
    provider: openai
    model: claude-opus-4-8
    apiBase: https://cheapai.io/v1
    apiKey: YOUR_API_KEY
    roles: [chat, edit, apply]

  - name: Haiku 4.5
    provider: openai
    model: claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
    apiBase: https://cheapai.io/v1
    apiKey: YOUR_API_KEY
    roles: [autocomplete]

provider must be openai - there is no separate "custom" provider. The gateway is selected by apiBase, not by the provider name.

Continue moved from config.json to config.yaml. Older guides on the web still show JSON - that format no longer applies.

A cheap model for autocomplete saves a lot: it fires on almost every keystroke. See prices in the catalog.

Continue — common questions

config.json or config.yaml?

The current one is ~/.continue/config.yaml. The old config.json still shows up in guides around the web, but Continue moved to YAML.

Which provider should I set?

openai with an apiBase field. Continue has no custom value — the config won't load with it.

Get a key and plug it into Continue

Claude, GPT, Gemini and Grok on one key · pay in ₽, USDT or by card · no VPN

Get API key

Guides for other tools

OpenCode Claude Code Codex Hermes Cursor Kilo Code Cline / Roo Zed