Qwen Code
Qwen Code is an open-source AI coding agent that runs in your terminal, offering agentic features like auto-memory, subagents, and MCP support. It solves the problem of complex coding tasks by providing an interactive or headless agent that can work across multiple AI providers. It is for developers who want a flexible, open-source alternative to tools like Claude Code.
✨ Key features
- Agentic out of the box: Auto-Memory, Auto-Skills, SubAgents, Agent Teams, MCP.
- Open-source framework and models, no vendor lock-in.
- Multi-protocol: supports OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Qwen APIs, and local models.
- Multiple interfaces: terminal UI, IDE plugins, desktop app, daemon mode, SDKs, IM bots.
- Feature parity with Claude Code plus unique features like Agent Arena and daemon mode.
- Headless mode for scripting and CI/CD integration.
🎯 Use cases
- Automate code reviews and bug fixes using built-in slash commands.
- Run batch processing or CI/CD tasks with headless mode.
- Delegate coding tasks to Qwen Code from other agents via ACP.
- Build custom applications using the Python, TypeScript, or Java SDKs.
- Connect to messaging platforms like Telegram or WeChat for remote control.
📦 Installation
🧰 Requirements: Requires Node.js 22+ for npm installation; otherwise, standalone installers for Linux/macOS/Windows. API key needed for chosen provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.).
Linux / macOS
curl -fsSL https://qwen-code-assets.oss-cn-hangzhou.aliyuncs.com/installation/install-qwen-standalone.sh | bash
Windows
irm https://qwen-code-assets.oss-cn-hangzhou.aliyuncs.com/installation/install-qwen-standalone.ps1 | iex
Restart your terminal after installation to ensure environment variables take effect.
NPM (requires Node.js 22+)
npm install -g @qwen-code/qwen-code@latest
Homebrew (macOS / Linux)
brew install qwen-code
🚀 Usage
qwen # Launch interactive terminal UI/auth # Configure your provider and API keyFor headless mode:
qwen -p "Your prompt here"
⚠️ Good to know
Daemon mode is experimental. The project is actively developed and may have breaking changes.
❓ FAQ
How do I install Qwen Code?
You can install via curl script on Linux/macOS, PowerShell on Windows, npm (requires Node.js 22+), or Homebrew on macOS/Linux.
What AI providers does Qwen Code support?
It supports OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and Qwen APIs, as well as any third-party provider or local models via Ollama or vLLM.
Can I use Qwen Code in my IDE?
Yes, there are plugins for VS Code, Zed, and JetBrains, plus a desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Is Qwen Code open-source?
Yes, both the framework and the Qwen models are open-source, with no vendor lock-in.
📊 Repository
🤖 Overview, features, install steps and FAQ were generated from the project's README on Sep 4, 2026. Always check the original source before running commands.