Trae

ByteDance's AI IDE with Builder Mode for full projects.

Filed under: Coding

About Trae

Trae is an AI-powered IDE from ByteDance built on VS Code, featuring a Builder Mode that scaffolds entire projects from natural-language descriptions. It offers code completion, chat, and multi-model support with a free tier for individuals. In the crowded field of AI coding tools, Trae stands out for generous free access to premium models. Developers often compare it with Cursor and Windsurf when choosing an AI-first editor.

Key features

Builder Mode project scaffolding
AI code completion and chat
Multiple premium model options
VS Code settings and extension import
Free tier for individuals
Cross-platform desktop apps

Trae screenshots

Trae: pros & cons

Pros

Generous free tier
Familiar VS Code foundation
Builder Mode speeds up scaffolding
Multiple model choices

Cons

Telemetry and privacy concerns reported
Newer, less mature ecosystem
Heavy AI use needs a paid plan

Trae FAQs

Is Trae free?

Trae offers a free tier with limited AI usage; paid plans unlock higher limits and priority access.

Who makes Trae?

Trae is developed by ByteDance, the company behind TikTok.

What is Builder Mode?

Builder Mode is Trae's agent that generates full project scaffolds from natural-language prompts.