Qwen Code

What is Qwen Code?

Qwen Code is a coding agent maintained by the Qwen team that you start by running qwen inside a project folder. It reads the repository, answers questions about it, edits files and runs tasks, and it supports sub-agents, agent teams, memory, skills, hooks, plan mode, LSP integration, sandboxing and Model Context Protocol servers. Beyond the terminal it offers a desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux, plugins for VS Code, Zed and JetBrains, an experimental web interface, and chat channels for Telegram, DingTalk, WeChat and Feishu. A headless mode and SDKs for TypeScript, Python and Java let you call it from scripts and CI jobs. It speaks the OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini and Qwen API protocols and can use local models through Ollama or vLLM, so you pick the provider with the /auth command. The code is open source and the project began from Google's Gemini CLI. Qwen Code itself has no price, though the model provider you connect may charge for usage.

Use cases

• Explain an unfamiliar repository
• Edit code from a terminal session
• Run coding tasks in CI scripts
• Delegate work to sub-agents
• Connect MCP tools to a coding agent
• Chat with a coding agent in Telegram
• Run local models through Ollama or vLLM

Who it's for

• Software developers
• DevOps engineers
• Open-source contributors
• AI tooling builders

Why use Qwen Code

• You are not tied to one model vendor, because the agent switches between OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini and Qwen protocols or a local model at runtime.
• The same agent works in the terminal, an editor, a desktop app and chat apps, so you can pick the interface that suits the task.
• Headless mode and SDKs let teams script it into CI jobs and batch work.
• Agent features such as sub-agents, hooks, skills and MCP are available without extra setup.
• The project is open source, so you can inspect and extend the agent rather than depend on a closed tool.

Qwen Code features

• Terminal agent started with the qwen command
• Sub-agents, agent teams and dynamic workflows
• Auto-memory, auto-skills and hooks
• Built-in skills such as review, batch, loop and bugfix
• MCP, plan mode and LSP integration
• Sandbox and git worktrees
• Headless mode with qwen -p for scripts and CI
• SDKs for TypeScript, Python and Java
• Multi-protocol support for OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini and Qwen APIs
• Desktop app, IDE plugins, web UI and chat channels

Qwen Code integrations

• VS Code
• Zed
• JetBrains
• Telegram
• DingTalk
• WeChat
• Feishu
• Ollama
• vLLM
• OpenAI
• Anthropic
• Gemini

How to get started with Qwen Code

1. Install it with the standalone script, npm install -g @qwen-code/qwen-code, or Homebrew.
2. Open a terminal in your project folder and run qwen.
3. Run /auth to choose a provider and enter an API key.
4. Describe a task, such as explaining the repository, and review the agent's proposed edits.
5. Move to the desktop app, an editor plugin, qwen serve --open or a chat channel when you want another interface.

Qwen Code limitations

• The web interface and the qwen serve daemon are marked experimental
• You supply an API key or provider through /auth, and that provider may bill separately
• Installing from npm needs Node.js 22 or later

Qwen Code pricing

Qwen Code is open source, so you can use and self-host it for free.

Prices can change and may vary by country or exclude tax. Check the official pricing page.

Qwen Code alternatives

The main Qwen Code alternatives listed on Debuly are Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Aider, OpenCode, Cline and goose. The table compares pricing and platforms; order is A–Z.

1. Ai

   Aider

   Open-source AI pair programming tool that runs in your terminal and edits code in your local git repository using the LLM you choose.

   CodingDeveloper platforms
   Open sourceVisit Aider (official site)
2. 

   Claude Code

   Anthropic's coding agent that fixes bugs, writes tests and runs migrations from your terminal, IDE, desktop app, web or Slack.

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   PaidVisit Claude Code (official site)
3. 

   Cline

   Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains, the terminal and desktop that edits files and runs commands with your approval.

   CodingDeveloper platformsAutomation and agents
   Open sourceVisit Cline (official site)
4. 

   Gemini CLI

   Open-source command-line agent from Google that runs Gemini models in your terminal to read, edit and automate work in local projects.

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   Open sourceVisit Gemini CLI (official site)
5. 

   goose

   Open source AI agent that runs on your machine as a desktop app, CLI or API and connects to tools through MCP extensions.

   Automation and agentsCodingDeveloper platforms
   Open sourceVisit goose (official site)
6. 

   OpenCode

   Open-source AI coding agent for terminal, desktop and IDE, with optional low-cost Go model subscriptions and a team Console

   CodingDeveloper platformsAutomation and agents
   FreemiumVisit OpenCode (official site)

Qwen Code FAQ

Sources & verification

Facts on this page come from the official sources below, each with the date we read it. Written by Debuly; the vendor did not review this page.

Image credits

• Logo: from avatars.githubusercontent.com · fetched 24 Oct 2026 · Vendor trademark, used only to identify the product; removed on request
• Cover: none collected yet, so a generated tile is shown.

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