Pear AI has an open-source foundation and its AI Router functionality, which solves the critical problem of model selection for developers.
Introduction
Pear AI is a next-generation, AI-first code editor designed to accelerate software development by integrating a curated suite of AI tools directly into an environment that is familiar to VS Code users. Launched with a strong open-source philosophy, Pear AI aims to transform developers into AI directors, enabling them to generate features and fix complex bugs using high-level natural language instructions.
Its core strength is the PearAI Router, which automatically selects and connects to the highest-performing large language models (LLMs) for any given coding task. By prioritizing contextual awareness (via @codebase and @files commands) and offering seamless access to powerful generative tools, Pear AI aims to replace the need for multiple, expensive subscriptions like GitHub Copilot and premium LLMs.
Codebase Context
Open Source
Full Privacy
VS Code Fork
Agentic Tools
Review
Pear AI has an open-source foundation and its AI Router functionality, which solves the critical problem of model selection for developers.
Its familiar VS Code interface and powerful context commands (@codebase, Cmd+I) significantly boost productivity, making complex debugging and refactoring effortless. While the platform has faced some community criticism regarding its commercialization approach and its Creator and Agent features are still under development, its commitment to full privacy (zero data retention with Anthropic) and its powerful integration of multiple generative tools make it an ideal choice for makers, startups, and enterprises prioritizing data control alongside performance.
Features
PearAI Router
An intelligent system that automatically routes a user's prompt to the currently best-performing LLM for coding, maximizing accuracy and efficiency.
Inline Editing (Cmd+I)
Allows the user to highlight code and instruct the AI to make specific changes, displaying a clean diff for approval and fast implementation.
Codebase Context Commands (@)
Offers powerful commands like @codebase (full project context), @terminal (error logs), and @files (specific files/folders) to ensure the AI's suggestions are accurate.
Agentic Workflows (Coming Soon)
The PearAI Agent will allow users to assign complex, multi-step tasks (like implementing a feature or fixing a bug) that span multiple files autonomously.
Custom Slash Commands
Users can create custom workflow shortcuts (e.g., /test or /commit) by defining templated prompts or writing custom TypeScript functions.
Indie Hackers & Makers
Ideal for quickly creating new projects and features with strong AI support, saving on external subscription costs.
Best Suited for
Artists and Designers
It’s an ideal solution for those who look to expand their creative vision with the use of AI-driven generation of unique and quality visual outputs.
Developers Switching Stacks
Excellent for rapidly onboarding onto new languages (e.g., Swift, Rust) by leveraging AI expertise.
Privacy-Sensitive Teams
Appeals to organizations requiring high data security with its zero data retention and self-hosting options.
Open Source Contributors
A strong choice for users who value the transparency and ability to contribute to the tool's core code.
Engineers Consolidating Tools
Perfect for those wanting to replace multiple AI subscriptions (Copilot, Claude) with a single, optimized editor.
Complex Debugging
Highly effective for resolving terminal errors by injecting error logs and code context directly into the AI chat.
Strengths
The PearAI Router ensures high-quality output by dynamically using the current best LLM on the market.
Superior prompt accuracy is achieved by injecting project context using simple, intuitive @ commands.
Streamlines development by bundling multiple AI services (coding, debugging, search) into one familiar VS Code interface.
The Maker plan offers a zero data retention policy with Anthropic, appealing strongly to privacy-sensitive enterprises.
Weakness
While the core editor is built on VS Code, it is a fork, meaning it may lag behind official VS Code updates and extension support.
Core generative tools like Creator and Agent are still marked as “Coming Soon” or in development.
Getting started with: step by step guide
The Pear AI workflow integrates AI assistance directly into the editor through simple keyboard shortcuts and conversational prompts.
Step 1: Setup & Sign-In
Download the standalone IDE (a VS Code fork) and sign in to access the PearAI server.
Step 2: Context Indexing
Open a project; Pear AI automatically indexes the codebase to build project context.
Step 3: Targeted Refactoring (Cmd+I)
Highlight a clunky function and press Cmd+I to request an inline edit, such as “make this function asynchronous.”
Step 4: Codebase Query (Cmd+L + @)
Open the chat panel (Cmd+L) and ask a complex question about the project’s architecture, using context commands like @codebase and @terminal for clarity.
Step 5: Autocompletion
As the user types, Tab Autocomplete provides intelligent, multi-line suggestions for efficient code writing.
Step 6: Custom Actions
Use custom Slash Commands (e.g., /commit) to automate repetitive tasks like writing commit messages based on current file changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Pear AI based on VS Code?
A: Yes, Pear AI is a fork of Visual Studio Code, meaning the interface, extensions, and basic functionality are immediately familiar to VS Code users.
Q: How does the AI Router work?
A: The PearAI Router is a proprietary system that intelligently selects and connects the user’s prompt to the specific, high-performing LLM (e.g., GPT-4o, Claude 3) that is currently optimal for the requested coding task.
Q: Is there a way to use Pear AI without paying the monthly fee?
A: Yes, the Intern (Free) plan allows for testing and development using your own LLM API keys or by leveraging local, open-source models, although it lacks the hosted server and credit pool of the paid plans.
Q: Does Pear AI support multiple programming languages?
A: Yes, like other advanced AI editors, Pear AI supports a wide range of popular programming languages, providing intelligent assistance across the board.
Q: What is the main command for inline editing?
A: The main shortcut for Inline Editing (refactoring, debugging, generating code directly in the file) is Cmd+I (or Ctrl+I on Windows/Linux).
Q: Can I use my private codebase as context for the AI?
A: Yes, the @codebase command allows the AI to index and use snippets from your entire private codebase as context, ensuring highly relevant and accurate suggestions.
Q: What is the privacy policy for the Maker plan?
A: The Maker plan offers a zero data retention policy when using specific premium models like those from Anthropic, meaning your code is not stored remotely for training purposes.
Q: Can Pear AI help me write Git commit messages?
A: Yes, you can use the /commit slash command to automatically generate a summary commit message based on the changes in your current branch.
Q: What happens if I run out of Maker credits?
A: Once the monthly credit pool is depleted, you can either continue using your own API key (if configured) or purchase additional pay-as-you-go credits from the dashboard, which do not expire.
Q: Is the PearAI Agent available now?
A: The advanced, autonomous PearAI Agent that performs multi-step coding and bug fixing is currently listed as a “Coming Soon” feature.
Pricing
Pear AI operates on a freemium model with a clear focus on the “Maker” audience. The free plan allows extensive testing, including the use of local models or the user’s own API key. The “Maker” plan is subscription-based and provides a substantial monthly credit pool for access to Pear AI’s high-performing, hosted server models.
Basic
$0/month
Limited image generation and access to community channels.
Standard
$15/month
PearAI Router access, direct customer support, Full Privacy (zero data retention policy), Pay-as-you-go credits.
Pro
Custom Pricing
Centralized Billing, Custom Security/Compliance, Dedicated Support.
Alternatives
Cursor AI
The direct competitor, also a VS Code fork, known for its highly optimized full codebase understanding and inline editing features.
GitHub Copilot
The original AI pair programmer, functioning as a plugin across multiple IDEs, offering faster, but less contextual, single-line autocompletion.
Gemini Code Assist
Google's enterprise-focused AI coding assistant, offering support across multiple IDEs and leveraging private codebases for context.
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Pear AI
Pear AI is a next-generation, AI-first code editor designed to accelerate software development by integrating a curated suite of AI tools directly into an environment that is familiar to VS Code users.
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