Zed - Claude code alternative

Zed is a fast, collaborative code editor with built-in AI features powered by Claude 3.5 Sonnet. Claude Code's intelligence, freed from the terminal and deeply integrated into a highly performant editor. Developers can now initiate Claude Code sessions directly in Zed, benefiting from features like session continuity, streaming outputs, and tool calls. Solo developers benefit from the visual interface and editor-integrated AI assistance rather than terminal-only interactions.

Strengths

Claude Code directly in Zed and use it side-by-side with Zed's first-party agent, Gemini CLI, and any other ACP-compatible agent
Chat with teammates, write notes together, and share your screen and project. All included
Session continuity, streaming outputs, and tool calls for uninterrupted coding workflows
Multi‑agent coexistence is the new normal with ACP (Agent Communication Protocol) support
You can always do so for free, without authentication as a basic code editor
Claude 3.5 Sonnet's new "Fast Edit Mode" functionality that is optimized around text editing

Weaknesses

Zed is a nightmare for Windows users, primarily optimized for Mac and Linux
Not as a flashy gimmick, but as a practical tool - focuses on functionality over visual appeal
The only AI feature that doesn't support this yet is Edit Predictions; custom models are on the roadmap but haven't landed yet
Requires separate Claude Code setup for full AI functionality

Best for

Mac and Linux users seeking visual Claude Code integration with collaborative editing features.

Pricing plans

Free — $0/month — 50 prompts per month, basic editor features, no authentication required
Pro — $20/month — 500 prompts, unlimited edit predictions
Enterprise — Unknown pricing — For larger teams with custom needs

Tech details

Type: Native code editor with integrated AI agents
IDEs: Standalone editor (not an IDE extension)
Key features: ACP (Agent Communication Protocol), Gemini CLI integration, Claude Code bridge support, auto‑accepting file edits
Privacy / hosting: Desktop application, open-source
Models / context window: Claude 3.5 Sonnet large language model, context size unknown

When to choose this over Claude code

Need visual interface instead of terminal-only interaction with Claude Code's intelligence, freed from the terminal and deeply integrated into a highly performant editor
Want Chat with teammates, write notes together, and share your screen and project for collaborative development
Prefer Multi‑agent coexistence with multiple AI assistants in one interface

When Claude code may be a better fit

Working primarily on Windows systems where Zed is a nightmare for Windows users
Need full terminal integration and command-line workflows without GUI dependencies
Require custom models support which is still on Zed's roadmap

Conclusion

Zed offers the best of both worlds: Claude Code's intelligence, freed from the terminal and deeply integrated into a highly performant editor. This Claude code alternative provides visual AI assistance with collaborative features for Mac and Linux developers. ACP is "LSP for AI coding agents." Zed open‑sourced the spec, enabling multiple AI agents to work together. The free tier offers basic functionality, while Pro users get enhanced AI capabilities.

Sources

FAQ

What is Zed's relationship with Claude Code?

Zed integrates Claude Code directly and allows using it side-by-side with other ACP-compatible agents. Claude Code works via community bridge acp-claude-code rather than built-in integration.

Does Zed work on Windows?

Zed is a nightmare for Windows users, it's been bliss for Mac and Linux users. Windows support exists but performance and stability are significantly better on macOS and Linux.

How much does Zed AI cost?

On our free plan you'll get 50 prompts per month and on our new Pro plan you'll get 500 prompts for $20/month. For heavy users, we'll bill at cost, which keeps things simple and fair.

Can I use Zed without AI features?

If you're interested in just using Zed as the world's fastest editor, with no AI or subscription features, you can always do so for free, without authentication.

What AI models does Zed support?

Zed AI currently leverages the Anthropic Claude 3.5 Sonnet large language model. Custom models are on the roadmap but haven't landed yet.

What is ACP in Zed?

ACP is "LSP for AI coding agents." Zed open‑sourced the spec (Apache). Any agent that implements ACP can run in Zed. This enables multiple AI assistants to work together in the same editor.

Zed