Intro
Last time, I tried AI code assistant for free and safe (Continue + VSCode + Ollama + DeepSeek-R1).
https://dev.to/webdeveloperhyper/ai-code-assistant-for-free-and-safe-continue-vscode-ollama-deepseek-r1-5eg8
It was soooo slow on my PC.🐢
But, I have no money to afford a high spec PC...😅
So, I googled carefully, and found that Codeium + VSCode might speed up the process.
What is Codeium?
Codeium is a super AI code assistant.
https://docs.codeium.com/getstarted/overview
It has functions such as Autocomplete, Chat and Command.
The features of Codeium is as below.
1️⃣ First of all, yeah, it's free! (Free plan)🤑
https://codeium.com/pricing
2️⃣ You can call LLMs on the web.
By calling LLMs on the web, you can get a quick response compared with local running LLMs.
3️⃣ You can use with VSCode.
You don't have to copy the data in the browser and paste into the code editor.
All you have to do is it to install Codeium in your VSCode to use it.
How to use Codeium?
https://docs.codeium.com/extensions/getting-started
1️⃣ Install Extension
"Extensions" > input "Codeium" > "Install"
2️⃣ Authorize
Log in to Codeim with Google account or your Email and Password.
3️⃣ Set token
https://codeium.com/show-auth-token
Copy the token.
Open the Command Palette in VSCode, and type Codeium: Provide Authentication Token.
Then, paste your token.
4️⃣ You are ready for Codeium.🎉
Autocomplete
https://docs.codeium.com/autocomplete/overview
Autocomplete is a next suggestion that appears as you type.
Pless ⇥ to accept a suggestion, and press esc to cancel a suggestion.
Also, when you write comments in your code, code suggestion of the comments will appear.
Chat
https://docs.codeium.com/chat/overview
Chat enables you to converse with a codebase-aware AI.
You can open a chat window by pressing Cmd/Ctrl + ⇧ + A.
By using @-Mentions, you can explicit the contents to use.
For example, you can explicit directories and files.
At free plan you can only use model based on Meta’s Llama 3.1 70B.
If you want to use better models, switch to paid plan.
Command
https://docs.codeium.com/command/overview
By using Command, you can use Codeium inside the code editor.
For using Command, press Cmd/Ctrl + I.
If you highlight a section of code and invoke Command, Codeium will only edit the highlighted section.
Otherwise, Codeium will generate a new code at your cursor.
The more Input prompts are specific, the more output of Codeium will be better.
Caution
At free plan, when you set either the below, you can't use Chat function.
① Codeium web site > "Setting" > check "Disable code snippet telemetry"
https://codeium.com/settings
② VSCode > "File" > "Preferences" > "Settings" > Search "telemetry" > Telemetry: Telemetry Level "off"
Without Chat function, Condeium will become less convenient.
So, if you want to use Chat function, you need to
① checkout "Disable code snippet telemetry"
and ② Telemetry: Telemetry Level "all"
Or, considering from the attached image, it looks like you can use Chat with telemetry off when you switch to team plan from free plan.
So, if you need free and fast, Codeium + VSCode might be a good choice.
If you prefer free and care about telemetry, Continue + VSCode + Ollama might be a good choice.
Outro
By using Codeium + VSCode, we can have the benefit of AI code assistant for free, and it will run quite fast.
I might come closer to real hyper web developer.💪
AI code assistant is super fun and convenient.
I shall try Cursor next time.
Thank you for reading.
Happy AI Coding!🤖
Update (2025/02/22): Wrote about Cursor
🧠🤖AI code assistant 3 (fast and safe (Cursor))
https://dev.to/webdeveloperhyper/ai-code-assistant-3-fast-and-safe-cursor-38gm
Update (2025/02/28): Wrote about Gemini Code Assist
🧠🤖AI code assistant 4 (free and fast and safe (Gemini Code Assist))
https://dev.to/webdeveloperhyper/ai-code-assistant-4-free-and-fast-and-safe-gemini-code-assist-phd
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