ZhipuAI launches “Z Code”: a lightweight AI code editor

Zhipu has officially released “Z Code,” a lightweight AI-powered code editor currently in Alpha testing for Mac and Windows. The tool is designed to lower the barrier to using command-line AI programming assistants—such as Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini—and to provide developers with a more user-friendly coding experience.  

Z Code integrates multiple AI programming tools into a single visual desktop interface. Users can simply enter an API key to switch seamlessly between different AI coding agents. Beyond basic code editing, Z Code also offers practical features such as secure file versioning, code review, and task agents, aiming to deliver a one-stop AI-assisted development environment.  

Key features include CLI support for agents like Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini. Users can interact with the agent through natural language, asking questions or giving instructions to complete coding and analysis tasks. The editor also provides a permission mode, allowing users to select different operation levels for added security.  

Users can import specific files to improve the agent’s processing efficiency. A “thinking mode” dynamically adjusts the agent’s working method based on task complexity. The edit history feature lets users modify and re-run any message in the conversation to refine the agent’s behavior.  

Z Code also includes a command-line panel, file manager, and Git commit functions to streamline project management. A built-in web browser enables real-time previews and interactive element selection for front-end projects. Notably, if an agent attempts a potentially risky operation, Z Code requires manual user confirmation to ensure safety.  

The release of Z Code marks another step forward for Zhipu in AI-assisted programming and is expected to generate strong interest within the developer community.