Trae

Trae is ByteDance’s AI-native IDE that turns natural-language requirements into working code through an integrated builder agent.

Overview

Trae (the international edition runs at trae.ai, the Chinese edition at trae.cn) is an AI-first IDE built on a VS Code foundation. Its Builder agent can plan a task, create and modify multiple files, run commands, and preview results inside the editor, while a chat panel answers questions about the current codebase. Deep context awareness indexes your repository so suggestions reflect your real architecture and conventions. ByteDance offers generous free access in the Chinese market alongside paid plans.

Trae’s builder workflow is aimed at turning rough product ideas into running software quickly: the agent scaffolds a project, writes the screens and logic, and previews the result inside the IDE so iteration stays fast. Support for Chinese-language prompts and localized documentation lowers the barrier for developers in ByteDance’s home market.

Since it is built on familiar VS Code underpinnings, existing extensions and settings migrate over, and teams can evaluate it alongside other AI IDEs without retraining their habits.

Its free tier is generous enough for students and hobbyists, which is fueling rapid adoption across the Chinese developer community.

Key Features

• Builder agent mode that decomposes requirements and generates complete features
• Codebase-aware chat and inline Q&A grounded in your repository
• Inline AI editing and completion with multi-file apply
• Integrated preview and terminal so generated apps can be run and inspected immediately
• Choice of leading global and domestic models inside the IDE
• VS Code extension and settings compatibility for easy migration

Pricing

Trae follows a freemium model: a substantial free tier including agent usage, with paid subscriptions for higher quotas, faster service, and premium models. Pricing differs between the international and Chinese editions.

Who Is It For

Developers, students, and small product teams in Asia who want an all-in-one AI IDE with strong local support and Chinese-language UX. It suits rapid prototyping where going from idea to running app quickly matters.

FAQ

Is Trae free to use?

Yes, a generous free tier covers everyday coding and agent tasks; paid plans add higher limits and priority access to premium models.

Does Trae offer an API?

Trae is distributed as a desktop IDE and does not expose a public coding API, though it integrates with model providers and standard developer tooling.

How does Trae compare to alternatives?

Trae competes with Cursor and Windsurf by bundling an agentic builder at a lower entry price, with particularly strong localization and model choice for Chinese developers.