Quickstart - Continue

import { OSAutoDetect } from '/snippets/OSAutoDetect.jsx' import CLIInstall from '/snippets/cli-install.mdx'

Continue CLI (cn) is a terminal-based coding agent. It can edit files, run commands, and work through multi-step tasks — the same agent that powers the Continue IDE extensions, running in your terminal.

Install

Verify the installation:

bash

cn --version

Requirements

Node.js 20+ — needed for the npm install path. The shell installer bundles its own runtime.
A Continue account, or an Anthropic API key.

First run

bash

cd your-project
cn

On first launch you'll be asked to log in with Continue or enter an Anthropic API key. After that, you're in a session and can start typing.

Authentication

Log in with Continue

bash

cn login

This opens your browser to authenticate with Continue. Once authenticated, cn can use your configured assistants, models, and MCP servers from the platform.

API key (headless / CI)

For automation environments where there's no browser, set the CONTINUE_API_KEY environment variable:

bash

export CONTINUE_API_KEY=your-key-here
cn -p "your prompt"

Get an API key from Continue → Settings → API Keys.

Local API key

If you don't want to use Continue, you can use an Anthropic API key directly. On first launch, cn will prompt you to choose between logging in with Continue or entering an Anthropic API key.

Two modes

TUI mode — run cn to start an interactive session. You type messages, reference files with @, approve tool calls, and iterate with the agent. This is the default.

Headless mode — run cn -p "your prompt" for single-shot automation. The agent runs to completion and prints its response to stdout. Use this in scripts, CI/CD, and git hooks.

Common flags

Flag	Effect
`-p "prompt"`	Headless mode — run prompt and exit
`--config <path or slug>`	Use a specific config file or assistant
`--resume`	Resume the most recent session
`--auto`	Allow all tools without prompting
`--readonly`	Plan mode — read-only tools only
`--allow <tool>`	Allow a specific tool (repeatable)
`--exclude <tool>`	Exclude a specific tool (repeatable)
`--rule <rule>`	Add a rule — file path, hub slug, or string (repeatable)
`--mcp <slug>`	Add an MCP server from the hub (repeatable)
`--model <slug>`	Add a model from the hub (repeatable)
`--agent <slug>`	Load an agent file from the hub
`--verbose`	Enable verbose logging

Run cn --help for the full list.