Melty is an open-source, chat-first AI code editor that reimagines the coding workflow by making conversational AI interaction the primary interface for navigating, editing, and managing code across large repositories. Unlike editors that add AI as a sidebar feature, Melty was built with the AI chat as the central entry point for all development tasks, from multi-file refactoring to end-to-end web application scaffolding. It solves the disconnect between AI assistants and version control by automatically transforming every chat interaction into a Git commit, creating clear and traceable code history.
Melty integrates with terminal, compiler, debugger, GitHub, and Linear issue tracking to provide a comprehensive development workflow centered around conversational interaction. Every chat message that results in code changes automatically generates a Git commit with a descriptive message, enabling transparent and reversible code modifications. The editor supports multi-file refactoring through natural language instructions, contextual code generation, and project scaffolding. Being a VS Code fork, Melty maintains compatibility with existing VS Code settings, extensions, and themes while adding its unique chat-first development paradigm.
Melty is designed for developers who prefer conversational interaction with AI over traditional manual coding, particularly those working on large-scale refactoring, code migrations, and greenfield projects where AI can handle significant portions of implementation. Its automatic Git commit generation appeals to teams that value detailed commit history and code traceability. The open-source nature allows for local deployment with on-device model execution for sensitive codebases, while enterprise controls include workspace state encryption and network endpoint restrictions. Melty launched in March 2025 and is best suited for early adopters comfortable with exploring new development paradigms.