Freedom251 › AI Coding Assistants
Qwen Code
What Qwen Code is
Qwen Code is an open-source AI coding agent for understanding codebases and automating development work. It can build features from natural-language descriptions, debug issues, navigate codebases, complete code, provide chat assistance, and access a terminal. Codebase indexing is included, along with Auto-Memory, Auto-Skills, SubAgents, Agent Teams, and MCP. The tool supports OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and Qwen APIs, plus third-party providers and local models such as Ollama and vLLM. Integrations are listed for VS Code, Zed, and JetBrains, while chat connections include Telegram, DingTalk, WeChat, and Feishu. Headless operation works in scripts, CI/CD, and batch jobs, with TypeScript, Python, and Java SDKs. A browser interface is available through `qwen serve --open`, but is labeled experimental. Desktop installers cover Linux, macOS, and Windows; npm installation requires Node.js 22 or later. Qwen Code requests approval before modifying files. The Qwen OAuth free tier ended on April 15, 2026.
Who it suits
Qwen Code suits developers who want an agent for codebase navigation, feature work, debugging, and terminal tasks. It fits teams using supported editors, APIs, local models, or automated workflows.
What it does well
- Open-source coding agent
- Supports major desktop operating systems
- Integrates with VS Code, Zed, and JetBrains
- Works with local and hosted models
- Offers headless scripts and SDKs
What to know first
- Browser interface is labeled experimental
- npm installation requires Node.js 22 or later
- Qwen OAuth free tier was discontinued
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Essential (QwenCloud Token Plan Personal Edition) | Limited-time price; page also shows ~~$16~~/month. · 25,500 Credits/month · 2–3 concurrent agents | $10 a month |
| Credit Pack (QwenCloud Token Plan Personal Edition) | Requires an active subscription; up to 5 packs. · 20,000 Credits/pack | $15 a month |
| Standard (QwenCloud Token Plan Personal Edition) | Limited-time price; page also shows ~~$25~~/month. · 45,000 Credits/month · 3–4 concurrent agents | $18 a month |
| Standard seat (QwenCloud Token Plan Team Edition) | Limited-time price; page also shows ~~$30/seat/month~~. · 25,000 Credits/seat/month | $20 a month |
| Max seat (QwenCloud Token Plan Team Edition) | Monthly subscription. · 250,000 Credits/seat/month | $200 a month |
| Lite (QwenCloud Token Plan Personal Edition) | Limited-time price; page also shows ~~$8~~/month. · 11,500 Credits/month · 1–2 concurrent agents | $6 a month |
| Pro (QwenCloud Token Plan Personal Edition) | Limited-time price; page also shows ~~$80~~/month. · 180,000 Credits/month · 6–8 concurrent agents | $68 a month |
| Credit Pack (QwenCloud Token Plan Team Edition) | Monthly subscription. · 625,000 Credits/pack | $700 a month |
The first 8 of 9 plans, as qwen.ai lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word. Every plan
Verdict
Qwen Code combines coding assistance, agent workflows, integrations, and automation options in an open-source package. Provider choices and editor support are broad, but setup requirements and the discontinued OAuth free tier matter.
Facts from Qwen Code's own pages
- Coding agent
- Yes · qwen.ai, 20 Sept 2026
- Agent tools
- The repository lists Auto-Memory, Auto-Skills, SubAgents, Agent Teams, and MCP among its features. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Agent workflow
- The official product page highlights built-in Skills and SubAgents for an agentic workflow. · qwen.ai, 12 Oct 2026
- Automation
- It supports headless use in scripts, CI/CD, and batch jobs, as well as TypeScript, Python, and Java SDKs. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Chat assistance
- Yes · qwen.ai, 20 Sept 2026
- Chat integrations
- The repository lists Telegram, DingTalk, WeChat, and Feishu integrations. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Codebase indexing
- Yes · qwen.ai, 20 Sept 2026
- Code completion
- Yes · qwen.ai, 20 Sept 2026
- Coding tasks
- It can build features from natural-language descriptions, debug issues, analyze codebases, and automate development tasks. · qwenlm.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Desktop availability
- The repository says Qwen Code Desktop is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Editor integrations
- The repository lists integrations for VS Code, Zed, and JetBrains. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free access limit
- The Qwen OAuth free tier was discontinued on 2026-04-15 and is no longer a selectable authentication option. · qwenlm.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The official repository provides installers for Linux, macOS, and Windows, plus npm installation requiring Node.js 22 or later. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The official product page lists optional integrations with VS Code, Zed, and JetBrains IDEs. · qwen.ai, 12 Oct 2026
- Model providers
- It supports OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and Qwen APIs, plus third-party providers and local models such as Ollama and vLLM. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- OAuth limit
- The privacy notice says the Qwen OAuth free tier was discontinued on April 15, 2026. · qwenlm.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Permissions
- The quickstart says Qwen Code asks for approval before modifying files, with options to approve individual changes or accept all for a session. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Pricing model
- Qwen Code connects to separately billed model providers; its authentication guide describes fixed-fee Coding Plan, usage-based Token Plan, and API-key options. · qwenlm.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Applicable terms and privacy policies depend on the authentication method and underlying model provider. · qwenlm.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Provider security
- QwenCloud says its API connections use TLS 1.2 or later and stored API keys and account information use AES-256 encryption. · docs.qwencloud.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- The documentation advises not committing API keys, preferring .qwen/.env for project-local secrets, and treating terminal output that contains credentials as sensitive. · qwenlm.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Security reporting
- The repository security policy directs vulnerability reports to its security issue reporting portal. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Qwen Code documentation links users to troubleshooting guidance and invites feedback through GitHub. · qwenlm.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported IDEs
- VS Code,Zed,JetBrains · qwen.ai, 20 Sept 2026
Where Qwen Code stands on Freedom251
- AI Coding Assistants#85 of 103