Eclipse Theia
Open-source AI-native IDE and framework for building custom cloud and desktop IDEs and tools.
At a Glance
About Eclipse Theia
Eclipse Theia is an open-source project from the Eclipse Foundation that includes the Theia IDE, an AI-native IDE for cloud and desktop, and the Theia Platform, a framework for building custom IDEs and tools. The latest release listed on GitHub is v1.76.0, published 2026-09-24. The IDE is available as desktop downloads for Windows, Linux and macOS, and can be tried online.
What It Is
Eclipse Theia is an extensible framework for developing multi-language cloud and desktop IDEs using web technologies, implemented in TypeScript. The Theia IDE is a ready-made product built on that platform. It supports the VS Code extension protocol and, according to the site, works with extensions from open-vsx.org. Theia uses some VS Code components such as the Monaco editor, but the project states it is independently developed and not a fork of VS Code.
AI Features and Data Control
The Theia IDE is built on Theia AI. Users can bring their own API key or subscription and connect cloud, self-hosted or local models, customize prompts, and create custom agents to automate workflows. The project states the IDE sends no telemetry on code, prompts or AI usage.
Building Custom Tools
The platform targets adopters who want to build their own browser-based or desktop IDEs and tools. It offers a modular architecture, extension mechanisms for Theia extensions and VS Code-style extensions, and Electron packaging for desktop apps. The site shows examples of tools built on it, such as CDT Cloud Blueprint and Mbed Studio.
Setup Path
Users can download installers for Windows, Linux (AppImage or Snap) and macOS (x86 and ARM), or try the IDE online through Theia.cloud in sessions limited to 30 minutes. An experimental Docker image is available for hosting the IDE online. The code is licensed under EPL 2.0, with GPL 2.0 with Classpath Exception as a secondary license.
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Pricing
Open Source
Eclipse Theia is open source under the Eclipse Public License 2.0 (EPL-2.0), with GNU GPL v2 with Classpath Exception as secondary license. Users bring their own AI API key or subscription.
- Licensed under Eclipse Public License 2.0 (OSI-approved) with secondary GPL-2.0-only with Classpath Exception
- Theia IDE for cloud and desktop
- Bring your own API key or subscription for AI models (external cost)
- No telemetry on code or prompts
- Online try version limited to 30 minutes per session
Capabilities
Key Features
- AI-native IDE built on Theia AI
- Bring your own API key with cloud, self-hosted or local models
- Custom AI agents and customizable prompts
- No telemetry on code or prompts
- VS Code extension compatibility via open-vsx.org
- Language Server Protocol support
- Modular framework for building custom cloud and desktop IDEs
- Flexible workbench layout with theming and detachable views
- Electron packaging for desktop apps
- Online trial via Theia.cloud