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Continue CLI

extensions/cli/README.md

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Continue CLI

The Continue CLI (cn) is a customizable command line coding agent.

Installation

macOS / Linux:

bash
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/continuedev/continue/main/extensions/cli/scripts/install.sh | bash

Windows (PowerShell):

powershell
irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/continuedev/continue/main/extensions/cli/scripts/install.ps1 | iex

Or install with npm if you have Node.js 20+:

bash
npm i -g @continuedev/cli

Usage

bash
cn

Headless Mode

Headless mode (-p flag) runs without an interactive terminal UI, making it perfect for:

  • Scripts and automation
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Docker containers
  • VSCode/IntelliJ extension integration
  • Environments without a TTY
bash
# Basic usage
cn -p "Generate a conventional commit name for the current git changes."

# With piped input
echo "Review this code" | cn -p

# JSON output for scripting
cn -p "Analyze the code" --format json

# Silent mode (strips thinking tags)
cn -p "Write a README" --silent

TTY-less Environments: Headless mode is designed to work in environments without a terminal (TTY), such as when called from VSCode/IntelliJ extensions using terminal commands. The CLI will not attempt to read stdin or initialize the interactive UI when running in headless mode with a supplied prompt.

Session Management

The CLI automatically saves your chat history for each terminal session. You can resume where you left off:

bash
# Resume the last session in this terminal
cn --resume

# List recent sessions and choose one to resume
cn ls

# List sessions in JSON format (for scripting)
cn ls --json

Command Line Options

  • -p: Run in headless mode (no TUI)
  • --config <path>: Specify agent configuration path
  • --resume: Resume the last session for this terminal
  • <prompt>: Optional prompt to start with

Environment Variables

  • CONTINUE_CLI_DISABLE_COMMIT_SIGNATURE: Disable adding the Continue commit signature to generated commit messages
  • FORCE_NO_TTY: Force TTY-less mode, prevents stdin reading (useful for testing and automation)

Commands

  • cn: Start an interactive chat session
  • cn ls: List recent sessions with TUI selector to choose one to resume
  • cn login: Authenticate with Continue
  • cn logout: Sign out of current session
  • cn remote: Launch a remote instance
  • cn serve: Start HTTP server mode

Session Listing (cn ls)

Shows recent sessions, limited by screen height to ensure it fits on your terminal.

  • --json: Output in JSON format for scripting (always shows 10 sessions)

TTY-less Support

The CLI fully supports running in environments without a TTY (terminal):

bash
# From Docker without TTY allocation
docker run --rm my-image cn -p "Generate docs"

# From CI/CD pipeline
cn -p "Review changes" --format json

# From VSCode/IntelliJ extension terminal tool
cn -p "Analyze code" --silent

The CLI automatically detects TTY-less environments and adjusts its behavior:

  • Skips stdin reading when a prompt is supplied
  • Disables interactive UI components
  • Ensures clean stdout/stderr output

For more details, see spec/tty-less-support.md.