Cortex AI IDE is a coding workspace that plans changes, edits across files, runs terminal commands, and checks results through reviewable diffs. Its agent tools include search, Git, LSP features, and task tracking, while more than 250 included skills cover work such as debugging, refactoring, documentation, SEO, and design reviews. Developers can use eight built-in AI provider integrations, connect OpenAI-compatible endpoints, or extend the IDE with MCP servers. Project memory and chat history are stored locally in each project. API keys are kept in the operating system’s secure credential store, and BYOK requests go directly to the selected provider over TLS. The free plan costs 0.00 USD per free and requires users to bring their own API keys, with model usage paid to providers. Pro Monthly is 10.00 USD per month; Pro Yearly is 80.00 USD per year. AI features require an internet connection and a supported API key. Native Windows and Linux builds are listed; macOS users are provided a source-build guide rather than a prebuilt installer.
Who it is for
Cortex is aimed at developers and small teams building SaaS, e-commerce, fintech, internal tools, and open-source projects. It suits people who want an agentic coding workspace and can supply a supported API key.
What is good
- Can edit multiple files and verify changes with reviewable diffs.
- Includes more than 250 workflow skills.
- Offers eight built-in AI provider integrations.
- Project memory and chat history are stored locally.
- API keys use the operating system’s secure credential store.
What to know first
- AI features require internet access and a supported API key.
- Model usage is paid directly to providers on the free plan.
- There is no prebuilt macOS installer.
- Pro Monthly costs 10.00 USD per month.
Verdict
Cortex combines agentic coding tools, provider choice, and locally stored project history. Check the API-key requirement and macOS installation approach before choosing it.
Cortex AI IDE plans and pricing
All plansCompared on AI code editors
- Free plan
- Yes
- Agent mode
- Yes
- Model choice
- multiple models
- Codebase indexing
- Yes
- Built-in terminal
- Yes
- Extensions support
- Yes
- Included AI usage
- Bring your own API keys; model usage is paid directly to providers
