Zcode – a lightweight AI IDE programming tool launched by Zhipu

What is Zcode

Zcode is a lightweight product launched by Zhipu AI AI IDE Programming tools can simplify AI programming tools (such as Claude Code 、 Codex 、 Gemini CLI etc.) threshold for use. Zcode encapsulates powerful AI programming capabilities, allowing developers to quickly get started without having to delve into technical details. Zcode provides file version management, code review, task management, MCP protocol management and other functions to create a one-stop AI-assisted development experience. Zcode lowers the barrier to entry and development efficiency for AI programming, making programming simpler and faster.

Main features of Zcode

• CLI Support : Supports three mainstream AI programming tools: Claude Code, Codex and Gemini, which users can seamlessly switch and use through a unified interface.
• Agent Question and Answer Interaction : Users communicate with the Agent through natural language, ask questions or give instructions. The Agent will complete programming tasks such as coding and analysis based on the instructions.
• Permission Mode : Users can choose four permission modes according to task requirements: Always Ask (always ask), Accept Edits (accept edit), Plan Mode (plan mode), Bypass Permissions (bypass permissions), and flexibly control the agent’s operation permissions.
• Introduction of documents : Introduce specific files into requirements to improve the efficiency of Agent positioning and processing files and ensure the accuracy of task execution.
• Thinking Mode : Users can dynamically adjust the agent’s thinking mode according to the complexity of the task, decide whether to conduct additional analysis and self-correction before responding, and optimize the working method.
• Edit History Conversations : Users can modify and re-execute any message in the conversation history, deeply adjust and optimize the agent’s behavior, and achieve a comprehensive reconstruction of the interaction node.
• Version Management : Automatically track all file modifications performed by the Agent, using the conversation history as a version control timeline. Users can locate any conversation or roll back the code to any version.
• Command Line Panel : Provides a command line panel where users can directly execute commands such as compilation, debugging, and deployment to achieve flexible control over the project.
• File Manager : Provides complete visual management of file and directory structures within a project, allowing users to quickly locate and manipulate files.
• Git commit : Provides a simple graphical user interface (GUI) for handling common Git version control operations, simplifying code submission and management processes.
• Web browser : Built-in web browser, supports real-time preview of front-end projects and interactive element selection, facilitating front-end development and debugging.
• Safe operation confirmation : When an Agent attempts to perform a potentially risky action, manual user confirmation is required to ensure the safety and reliability of the operation.
• MCP Services : Integrated MCP service to provide users with Agent collaboration and management protocol framework. Users can use built-in MCP or custom configuration to achieve efficient collaboration among multiple agents.

How to use Zcode

• Install Zcode
  • Windows System : Visit the Zcode official website https://zcode-ai.com/, download the Windows installation package and run the installer. Once completed, start Zcode from the Start menu.
  • Mac System : Visit the official website to download the DMG file for Mac, drag Zcode.app to the “Application” folder after opening it, and open it from the startup desk after installation.
• Configure AI Services
  • Zhipu GLM Coding Plan : Open Zcode, click “Select Model” > “manager models”, log in Zhipu Open Platform Account number, automatically bind API.
  • Zhipu Z.AI : Open Zcode, click “Select Model” > “manager models”, log in to the z.ai official website account, and automatically bind the API.
  • Claude Code :Install and log in Claude from the command line ( npm install -g claude-cli and claude login ), in Z Code, click “Select Model” > “manager models” to enable the Anthropic option.
  • OpenRouter Platform : Create an API key on the OpenRouter platform, go to Zcode and click “Select Model” > “manager models”, fill in the Base URL and API key, select the model and save it.
  • Moonshot Platform : Create an API key on the Moonshot platform, go to Zcode, click “Select Model” > “manager models”, fill in the Base URL and API key, and save.
  • Other compatible services : Create an API key on the corresponding platform, enter Zcode, click “Select Model” > “manager models”, fill in the Base URL, API key and model name and save.
• Using Zcode
  • Start App : After the installation is complete, open the Zcode application.
  • Select Model : Click “Select Model” in the dialog box to select the configured AI model according to your needs.
  • Start interaction : Enter questions or instructions in the dialog box to interact with the AI.
  • Manage files and versions : Use the file manager to manage project files and use the version management function to track file modifications and rollback code.
  • Using the Command Line Panel : Execute compilation, debugging, deployment and other commands directly in the command line panel to flexibly control the project.
  • Live preview and debugging : The built-in web browser supports real-time preview and interactive element selection of front-end projects, making development and debugging convenient.

Zcode application scenarios

• Code Writing and Generation : Describe requirements in natural language and quickly generate code snippets or complete scripts to help developers start projects efficiently.
• Code review and optimization :Zcode can check potential problems in code in real time, provide optimization suggestions, and help developers improve code quality and running efficiency.
• Project planning and task management : Assist developers to sort out project requirements, plan functional modules and track task progress to ensure project delivery on time.
• Learning and Education :Zcode provides code examples and detailed explanations to help programming beginners quickly understand language features and master new technologies.
• Cross-platform development :Zcode supports operating systems such as Windows and Mac, integrates with mainstream development tools, and allows developers to maintain a consistent development experience on different platforms.