BasicAgent

Cloud IDE vs Persistent Terminal

Cloud IDEs optimize for onboarding; persistent terminals optimize for continuity and long-running work.

Published: 2026-01-04 · Last updated: 2026-01-04

Cloud IDEs are great for onboarding and full-stack editing. A persistent terminal is better for continuity, long-running tasks, and resumable sessions.

Cloud IDEs optimize for

  • full editor experience,
  • onboarding and team standardization,
  • short-to-medium sessions.

Persistent terminals optimize for

  • session continuity,
  • output replay,
  • fast access across time.

Which should you choose?

If your workflow depends on long-running tasks and resumable state, a persistent terminal workspace will feel lighter, faster, and more reliable over time.