Plandex — Cursor alternative

Plandex is a terminal-based AI development tool that can plan and execute large coding tasks that span many steps and touch dozens of files. It can handle up to 2M tokens of context directly (~100k per file), and can index directories with 20M tokens or more using tree-sitter project maps. A cumulative diff review sandbox keeps AI-generated changes separate from your project files until they are ready to go. This Cursor alternatives solution targets developers who prefer command-line workflows and need extensive multi-file code generation capabilities.

Strengths

Ultra-high context handling: Processes up to 2M tokens directly and can index directories with 20M+ tokens using tree-sitter project maps
Protected sandbox environment: Cumulative diff review sandbox keeps AI-generated changes separate from project files until ready
Multi-step task execution: Long-running agents break down large tasks into manageable subtasks, methodically implementing each one
Built-in version control: Easy rollback capabilities with built-in version control functionality
Cross-platform terminal support: Supports Mac, Linux, FreeBSD, and Windows operating systems
Open source flexibility: Available for anyone to use and contribute to

Weaknesses

Terminal-only interface: No GUI or IDE integration like traditional editors
Requires API key setup: Uses OpenAI API by default, requiring users to provide their API key
Limited Windows support: Only supports WSL environment, Windows CMD or PowerShell not supported
Command-line learning curve: Steeper adoption for developers unfamiliar with terminal workflows

Best for

Experienced developers comfortable with terminal environments who handle complex, multi-file coding projects.

Pricing plans

Open Source — Free — Self-hosted with your own API keys
Plandex Cloud — $20 monthly credit included — Integrated model, no API key required, multi-device support
Additional credits — Minimum $10 purchase — Auto-recharge and spending limits available

Tech details

Type: Terminal-based AI coding agent
IDEs: Command-line interface only (no traditional IDE integration)
Key features: Chat mode for brainstorming, Tell mode for task breakdown and sequential execution, diff review sandbox, version control
Privacy / hosting: Self-hosted option available, cloud-hosted option with Plandex Cloud, changes isolated in sandbox
Models / context window: OpenAI API integration by default, roadmap includes Claude, Gemini, and open-source models, up to 2M token context window

When to choose this over Cursor

Complex multi-file projects: Handles tasks spanning dozens of files with extensive context management
Terminal-first workflow preference: Built specifically for command-line development environments
Need for protected code review: Sandbox environment prevents direct project file modification until approved

When Cursor may be a better fit

GUI preference: Developers who prefer visual interfaces over terminal commands
IDE integration needs: Requires seamless integration with existing code editors
Windows development: Limited Windows support compared to full native compatibility

Conclusion

Plandex serves as a specialized Cursor alternatives for developers who prioritize terminal-based workflows and complex multi-file code generation. Its 2M+ token context handling and protected sandbox environment make it particularly suitable for large-scale development tasks. The open-source nature provides flexibility, though the command-line interface may limit adoption among GUI-preferring developers.