Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about Sidian, its features, and usage.
General Questions
What is Sidian?
Sidian is an AI-powered Integrated Development Environment (IDE) based on VS Code that provides intelligent coding assistance, automated code generation, and enhanced development capabilities.
How is Sidian different from VS Code?
Sidian extends VS Code with advanced AI capabilities including:
- AI-powered code completion and generation
- Intelligent code explanation and documentation
- AI chat interface for development assistance
- Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration
- Enhanced productivity features
Is Sidian free to use?
Sidian is currently in beta:
- Beta Access: Full Pro features available during beta period
- After Beta: 14-day Pro trial for all users
- Pro Plan: Advanced AI models, unlimited usage, and priority support
- Enterprise: Custom solutions for teams and organizations
Does Sidian work offline?
Yes, Sidian can work completely offline:
- Core IDE: Works fully offline like VS Code
- AI Features with Local Models: All AI features work offline using Ollama, LM Studio, or other local providers
- Cloud Models: Optional cloud-based models require internet connection
- Full Offline Capability: Use local models for complete offline functionality
Installation and Setup
What are the system requirements?
Minimum Requirements:
- 4GB RAM (8GB recommended)
- 1GB free disk space
- Internet connection for AI features
- Windows 10+, macOS 10.15+, or Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+)
Recommended:
- 8GB+ RAM for optimal performance
- SSD storage for faster loading
- Internet connection
- Modern multi-core processor
How do I install Sidian?
- Visit sidian.dev/download
- Download the installer for your operating system
- Run the installer and follow the setup wizard
- Launch Sidian and complete the initial setup
How do I update Sidian?
Sidian updates automatically by default:
- Automatic Updates: Enabled by default
- Manual Check: Help → Check for Updates
- Update Notifications: Shown when updates are available
- Release Notes: Available for each update
AI Features
How do AI features work?
Sidian's AI features use advanced language models to:
- Analyze your code and project context
- Generate intelligent suggestions and completions
- Provide explanations and documentation
- Assist with debugging and refactoring
Do you store my code?
Privacy First Approach:
- Local Storage: Your code stays on your computer
- No Permanent Storage: We don't store your source code
- User Control: You can disable cloud features entirely
Which AI models does Sidian support?
Sidian supports multiple AI providers:
- OpenAI: GPT-5, GPT-4.1, O3, O4-mini
- Anthropic: Claude Opus 4.1, Claude Sonnet 4, Claude 3.5
- xAI: Grok-3, Grok-3-mini, Grok-2
- Google: Gemini Pro, Gemini Flash
- DeepSeek: DeepSeek-V3, DeepSeek-Coder
- Groq: High-speed inference models
- Mistral: Mistral Large, Mistral Medium
- Local Models: Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM
- Cloud Providers: Azure OpenAI, Google Vertex AI
- Custom: OpenAI-compatible endpoints, OpenRouter
Can I use my own API keys?
Yes, you can configure your own API keys:
- OpenAI: Use your OpenAI API key
- Anthropic: Configure Claude API access
- Custom Providers: Add custom API endpoints
- Cost Control: Direct billing to your account
Licensing and Subscriptions
What's included during beta?
Beta Access Includes:
- Full Pro features available to all users
- Advanced AI models (GPT-5, Claude Opus, etc.)
- Unlimited AI interactions
- All VS Code features
- Community support
- Full MCP server support
What are the Pro features?
Pro Plan Includes:
- Advanced AI models (GPT-5, GPT-4.1, Claude Opus, Claude Sonnet)
- Unlimited AI interactions and code completion
- Priority support
- Advanced MCP configurations
- Team collaboration features
- Custom model configurations
How does billing work?
Subscription Billing:
- Monthly or annual billing cycles
- Automatic renewal (can be cancelled anytime)
- Pro-rated upgrades and downgrades
- Multiple payment methods accepted
- Enterprise custom pricing available
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes, you can cancel anytime:
- Self-Service: Cancel through account settings
- Immediate Effect: Or continue until end of billing period
- Data Retention: Account data retained for 30 days
- Reactivation: Easy to reactivate if needed
Technical Questions
What programming languages are supported?
Sidian supports 100+ programming languages including:
- Popular: JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, C++, Go, Rust
- Web: HTML, CSS, TypeScript, React, Vue, Angular
- Data: SQL, R, MATLAB, Jupyter notebooks
- Mobile: Swift, Kotlin, Dart (Flutter)
- DevOps: YAML, JSON, Docker, Kubernetes
How do I configure MCP servers?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers extend AI capabilities:
- Configuration File: MCP servers are configured in the MCP server settings
- Server Installation: Install required MCP servers
- Configuration: Add server configurations
- Testing: Verify servers are working correctly
Can I use Sidian with my existing projects?
Yes, Sidian is fully compatible:
- VS Code Projects: Open existing VS Code workspaces
- Git Integration: Full Git support and history
- Extension Compatibility: Most VS Code extensions work
- Settings Migration: Import existing configurations
How do I report bugs or request features?
Bug Reports:
- Support Email: support@sidian.dev
Feature Requests:
- Direct Feedback: Contact our product team
Performance and Troubleshooting
Why is Sidian running slowly?
Common Causes:
- Large Projects: Many files or large file sizes
- Extensions: Too many or resource-intensive extensions
- AI Processing: Heavy AI model usage
- System Resources: Insufficient RAM or CPU
Solutions:
- Close unnecessary files and tabs
- Disable unused extensions
- Switch to faster AI models
- Increase system resources
How do I improve AI response times?
Optimization Tips:
- Faster Models: Use GPT-5-codex instead of GPT-4
- Local Models: Configure local AI models
- Context Management: Provide focused context
- Network: Ensure stable internet connection
What if AI features stop working?
Troubleshooting Steps:
- Check internet connection
- Verify account status and subscription
- Try signing out and back in
- Check AI service status
- Contact support if issues persist
Privacy and Security
How is my data protected?
Security Measures:
- Encryption: All data transmission is encrypted
- No Storage: Source code is not permanently stored
- Access Control: Strict access controls on our systems
- Compliance: SOC 2 and other security standards
Can I use Sidian in a corporate environment?
Yes, Sidian supports enterprise use:
- Enterprise Plans: Custom pricing and features
- Security Reviews: Available for enterprise customers
- Compliance: Meets enterprise security requirements
- On-Premise: Options for on-premise deployment
What data do you collect?
Data Collection:
- Account Information: Email, subscription details
- Usage Analytics: Feature usage (anonymized)
- Error Logs: Crash reports (no code content)
- Performance Metrics: Response times and reliability
Getting Help
Where can I find documentation?
- Official Docs: docs.sidian.dev
- In-App Help: Help menu in Sidian
- Video Tutorials: youtube.com/sidian
- Community Wiki: User-contributed guides
How do I contact support?
Support Channels:
- Email: support@sidian.dev
- Community: community.sidian.dev
- Discord: Join our Discord server
What's the response time for support?
Response Times:
- Free Users: 48-72 hours
- Premium Users: 24 hours
- Enterprise: 4-8 hours
- Critical Issues: Immediate escalation
Still have questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to our support team or community for help!