AI Tool

Codeium

Overview

Codeium is a free AI coding assistant developed by Exafunction, Inc., used by millions of developers worldwide. It provides real-time code completion, AI chat, code analysis, and code generation features, supporting over 70 programming languages and 40+ IDEs. Unlike many expensive AI tools, it's completely free for individual developers, offering unlimited code completion and AI-powered chat functionality.

Details

Codeium significantly differentiates itself from other AI coding assistants by providing enterprise-level functionality for free. In November 2024, it also announced Windsurf IDE, a new AI-native integrated development environment, evolving from a simple code completion tool to a comprehensive development platform. With privacy-first design, user code is not used for training, and safety is ensured through encrypted communications.

Key Features

• AI Autocomplete: Context-aware real-time code completions
• AI Chat: Interactive AI assistance for coding tasks
• Intelligent Search: Efficient code search within large codebases
• Full Repository Context: Understanding entire codebase for accurate suggestions
• Windsurf IDE: AI-native IDE launched in November 2024

Windsurf IDE (2024 New Features)

• Cascade AI Agent: Multi-file editing with real-time awareness
• Tab Completion: Advanced autocomplete exclusive to Windsurf
• Terminal Integration: ⌘+I for terminal command assistance
• Visual Development: Design generation from images
• MCP Integration: Custom tools and services connectivity

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Completely Free: Unlimited code completion and AI chat for individual use
• Privacy Protection: No code training, encrypted communication, zero-day retention option
• Lightweight and Fast: Fast response times and lightweight operation
• Broad Support: Comprehensive support for 70+ languages, 40+ IDEs
• Enterprise Ready: On-premises, VPC, SaaS deployment options
• Open Source Friendly: Trained only on permissive licensed data

Disadvantages

• Training Data Constraints: Less extensive training data than OpenAI Codex
• GitHub Integration: Shallower GitHub integration compared to GitHub Copilot
• Relatively New Service: Less track record than other established tools
• Enterprise Features: Some advanced enterprise features require paid version
• Customization: Limited advanced customization options

Reference Links

• Codeium Official Site
• Windsurf IDE
• Codeium Documentation
• Codeium GitHub

Code Examples

VS Code Setup

# Install from VS Code Extension Marketplace
# 1. Open VS Code
# 2. Open Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
# 3. Search "Codeium"
# 4. Click Install
# 5. Follow authentication prompts to create/login account

# Command line installation
code --install-extension Codeium.codeium

JetBrains IDEs Setup

# Setup for IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.
# 1. Open Preferences/Settings
# 2. Navigate to Plugins section
# 3. Search "Codeium" in Marketplace tab
# 4. Install and restart IDE
# 5. Login with Codeium account

Basic Code Completion

# Python code completion example
# Write comments and Codeium suggests implementation

def calculate_fibonacci(n):
    """Generate fibonacci sequence up to n terms"""
    # Codeium suggests implementation here
    if n <= 0:
        return []
    elif n == 1:
        return [0]
    elif n == 2:
        return [0, 1]
    
    fib_sequence = [0, 1]
    for i in range(2, n):
        fib_sequence.append(fib_sequence[i-1] + fib_sequence[i-2])
    
    return fib_sequence

# Data processing function example
def process_user_data(users):
    """Process user data and return formatted results"""
    # Codeium understands context and suggests appropriate processing
    return [
        {
            'id': user['id'],
            'name': user['name'].strip().title(),
            'email': user['email'].lower(),
            'active': user.get('active', True),
            'created_at': user.get('created_at')
        }
        for user in users
        if user.get('email') and '@' in user['email']
    ]

JavaScript/TypeScript Usage

// TypeScript interface definition
interface User {
    id: string;
    name: string;
    email: string;
    role: 'admin' | 'user' | 'guest';
    createdAt: Date;
}

// React component example
function UserProfile({ user }: { user: User }) {
    // Codeium suggests Hook usage patterns
    const [isEditing, setIsEditing] = useState(false);
    const [formData, setFormData] = useState<User>(user);
    
    const handleSave = async () => {
        // API call patterns suggested
        try {
            const response = await fetch(`/api/users/${user.id}`, {
                method: 'PUT',
                headers: {
                    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
                },
                body: JSON.stringify(formData),
            });
            
            if (!response.ok) {
                throw new Error('Failed to update user');
            }
            
            setIsEditing(false);
        } catch (error) {
            console.error('Error updating user:', error);
        }
    };

    return (
        <div className="user-profile">
            {isEditing ? (
                <form onSubmit={handleSave}>
                    {/* Form elements suggested by Codeium */}
                </form>
            ) : (
                <div className="user-display">
                    {/* Display elements suggested by Codeium */}
                </div>
            )}
        </div>
    );
}

AI Chat Feature Usage

// Codeium Chat query example

/*
Query: "Create an Express.js REST API server with CRUD operations"

Codeium response example:
*/

const express = require('express');
const app = express();

// Middleware setup
app.use(express.json());
app.use(express.urlencoded({ extended: true }));

// In-memory data store (use database in production)
let users = [
    { id: 1, name: 'John Doe', email: '[email protected]' },
    { id: 2, name: 'Jane Smith', email: '[email protected]' }
];

// GET - Retrieve all users
app.get('/api/users', (req, res) => {
    res.json(users);
});

// GET - Retrieve specific user
app.get('/api/users/:id', (req, res) => {
    const user = users.find(u => u.id === parseInt(req.params.id));
    if (!user) {
        return res.status(404).json({ error: 'User not found' });
    }
    res.json(user);
});

// POST - Create user
app.post('/api/users', (req, res) => {
    const { name, email } = req.body;
    
    if (!name || !email) {
        return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Name and email are required' });
    }
    
    const newUser = {
        id: Math.max(...users.map(u => u.id)) + 1,
        name,
        email
    };
    
    users.push(newUser);
    res.status(201).json(newUser);
});

// PUT - Update user
app.put('/api/users/:id', (req, res) => {
    const userIndex = users.findIndex(u => u.id === parseInt(req.params.id));
    
    if (userIndex === -1) {
        return res.status(404).json({ error: 'User not found' });
    }
    
    const { name, email } = req.body;
    users[userIndex] = { ...users[userIndex], name, email };
    
    res.json(users[userIndex]);
});

// DELETE - Remove user
app.delete('/api/users/:id', (req, res) => {
    const userIndex = users.findIndex(u => u.id === parseInt(req.params.id));
    
    if (userIndex === -1) {
        return res.status(404).json({ error: 'User not found' });
    }
    
    users.splice(userIndex, 1);
    res.status(204).send();
});

const PORT = process.env.PORT || 3000;
app.listen(PORT, () => {
    console.log(`Server running on port ${PORT}`);
});

Privacy Settings and Customization

// Codeium configuration in VS Code settings.json
{
    "codeium.enableCodeLens": true,
    "codeium.enableSearch": true,
    "codeium.enableChat": true,
    "codeium.apiUrl": "https://server.codeium.com",
    "codeium.anonymizeTelemetry": true
}

// .codeiumignore file configuration
.env
*.log
node_modules/
dist/
build/
.secrets/
config/production.json
*.key
*.pem

Migration from GitHub Copilot

# 1. Disable GitHub Copilot (VS Code)
# Extensions > GitHub Copilot > Disable

# 2. Install Codeium
# Extensions > Search "Codeium" > Install

# 3. Configuration comparison
# - Codeium: Completely free, privacy-focused
# - Copilot: Paid, enhanced GitHub integration

# 4. Feature comparison testing
# - Code completion accuracy verification
# - Response speed comparison
# - AI Chat functionality evaluation

Enterprise Configuration

# Codeium Enterprise configuration example
enterprise:
  deployment: on-premises
  privacy:
    data_retention: zero_day
    encryption: end_to_end
    training_opt_out: true
  
  integrations:
    sso: true
    ldap: true
    saml: true
  
  security:
    audit_logs: enabled
    compliance: [SOC2, GDPR]
    air_gapped: optional