Introduction
Released on December 26, 2025 by Zhipu AI, ZCode is an Agentic Development Environment (ADE). It delivers a desktop client that deeply integrates the GLM-5.2 large model into real software engineering workflows. Developers can use natural language instructions to complete coding, debugging, testing, preview and change auditing.
ZCode natively connects to Zhipu’s self-developed GLM-5.2, which provides stable 1M-token context and long-horizon task capabilities. Unlike regular chat tools, ZCode organizes work around continuous task progression. It supports macOS (Apple Silicon / Intel) and Windows (x64 / ARM64), while the Linux build remains in closed beta testing. New users receive a 5-day free trial quota: 3 million tokens for GLM-5.2 plus 2 million daily tokens for GLM-5-turbo. Users can also import historical dialogue records from Claude Code and older ZCode Agent versions via data migration. Domestic developers can log into BigModel accounts directly without overseas network access. This guide covers installation, initial configuration, model connection workflows, suitable use cases, security mechanisms and frequently asked questions, helping engineers quickly deploy and run their first long-running Agent task.
1. What Is ZCode? Core Differences Against Claude Code and Cursor
ZCode is defined as an ADE desktop client. Its fundamental working unit is continuously advancing toward a development objective, instead of functioning merely as an enhanced chatbot. The comparison table below clarifies key distinctions from mainstream competing tools:
| Tool | Type | Core Positioning | Model Strategy | Domestic Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZCode | ADE Desktop Client | Long-horizon task execution; deep GLM-5.2 integration | Locked GLM-5.2 / GLM-5-turbo | Direct access via BigModel |
| Claude Code | CLI Agent | Terminal-based agent coding | Restricted to Claude series | Requires overseas accounts |
| Cursor | IDE Editor | In-editor AI assisted programming | Multi-model switching | Requires overseas accounts |
| Codex CLI | CLI Agent | Terminal code task execution | OpenAI models | Requires overseas accounts |
ZCode’s unique advantages fall into three clear categories:
- Self-built ZCode Agent: Task scheduling, permission control, context retention, tool invocation and submission flows are all built for optimized long horizon tasks.
- Multi-terminal collaboration: Desktop client, mobile remote terminal, Lark / WeChat Bot can jointly push progress within one shared workspace.
- Safety controls: Mandatory confirmation prompts before executing privileged commands, file modifications and high-risk operations.
2. Installation Guide: Supported Platforms & Installation Steps
The stable release v3.5.2 provides official installers for macOS and Windows, while Linux builds are distributed via closed beta groups. All packages are hosted on ZCode’s official CDN, and the unified entry point is the official website zcode.z.ai/cn.
Installer Package List
| Platform | Architecture | Installer File Name |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | Apple Silicon (M-series) | ZCode-3.5.2-mac-arm64.dmg |
| macOS | Intel x64 | ZCode-3.5.2-mac-x64.dmg |
| Windows | x64 | ZCode-3.5.2-win-x64.exe |
| Windows | ARM64 | ZCode-3.5.2-win-arm64.exe |
| Linux | — | Obtained via closed beta group |
2.1 macOS Installation (3 Steps)
- Open the downloaded
.dmginstallation image - Drag
ZCode.appinto theApplicationsfolder - Launch ZCode from the launchpad
Important reminder: M-series Apple Silicon users must download the arm64 variant. Running the x64 package under Rosetta will cause obvious performance degradation for long-running agent tasks.
2.2 Windows Installation (3 Steps)
- Download
ZCode-3.5.2-win-x64.exe - Run the installer and follow the wizard
- Start ZCode via start menu or desktop shortcut
2.3 Linux Closed Beta Installation
Obtain the installation file from the beta group, add executable permissions and run directly. Certain distributions require extra fuse dependency packages.
3. First Launch: 3-Step Initialization
The initial configuration flow takes less than two minutes after opening ZCode for the first time.
- Choose direct entry or data migration
- Direct usage: Click "Start using ZCode" to enter the workspace immediately
- Migrate history: Select migration wizard. Currently the tool only imports dialogue history from Claude Code and legacy ZCode Agent.
- Select local project directory as workspace ZCode continuously monitors files, terminals, browser states, execution logs and Git changes within the assigned folder for the agent.
- Send a simple instruction for validation Input basic commands such as listing directory contents. Normal responses confirm the client and model connection are fully functional.
4. Three Model Connection Methods
ZCode provides three connection routes adapting to different developer scenarios:
- Connect Z.ai account For overseas developers or users with international Z.ai accounts. Log in with credentials to access built-in GLM model variants.
- Connect BigModel account Optimized for domestic developers. The BigModel platform operates within mainland networks, bound to local mobile phone numbers. Access remains stable without extra network configuration.
- Use API Key Suitable for teams subscribed to GLM Coding Plan or those managing independent API billing. Paste the key inside model configuration panels.
Domestic Coding Plan endpoints support two protocol standards:
- Anthropic compatible endpoint:
https://ark.cn-beijing.volces.com/api/coding - OpenAI compatible endpoint:
.../api/coding/v3
After configuration, users can add multiple models including GLM-5.2 and GLM-5-turbo and send test messages to verify connectivity.
Developers can access mainstream LLMs via standardized OpenAI-SDK compatible interfaces through an API gateway such as 4sapi. This allows seamless model switching inside ZCode without modifying client-side code.
5. Pricing & New User Benefits (Valid until 2026-07-31)
Official published trial policy:
- 5-day free trial package: 3 million GLM-5.2 tokens + 2 million daily GLM-5-turbo tokens (quota expires after trial ends)
- Subscriber peak/off-peak pricing: Peak hours (14:00–18:00) carry 2x cost; off-peak hours apply a 0.67x discount, roughly equivalent to a 1.5x quota boost.
Real-time subscription prices are displayed on ZCode’s official page and not statically documented in public articles.
6. Ideal Task Scenarios
ZCode’s strength lies in sustained, complete task iteration around defined objectives. According to official documentation and community feedback, five task types deliver the best matching effect:
- New feature development: From requirement parsing → coding → self-test → review submission in one continuous flow
- Bug repair: Generate reproduction cases, locate root causes, write fixes and add regression verification
- Code comprehension: Read large legacy repositories and output architecture summaries
- Code review: Analyze local changes or pull requests and provide modification advice
- Release preparation: Check dependencies, build artifacts and compile changelogs
Four core interface panels track real-time task progress: task timeline, terminal output, file change log and Git status. Continuous visibility prevents the agent workflow from becoming an opaque black box.
7. Security Mechanisms: Preventing Uncontrolled File Modification
ZCode implements multi-layer safeguards against unintended destructive operations:
- Mandatory confirmation before running privileged shell commands
- Preview diffs before allowing file write or deletion operations
- Full visibility of all modifications inside Git panels for easy rollback
Even when the agent makes incorrect decisions, developers retain complete intervention and rollback capabilities.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is ZCode open-source? A: ZCode is distributed as a free-to-use desktop binary. Zhipu AI has not published core source code. Extensibility via Skills, MCP servers and plugins is supported, but client binaries remain closed.
Q: Which models does ZCode support? A: Natively integrated models are GLM-5.2 (1M context) and GLM-5-turbo. Additional third-party models can be connected via API Keys subject to endpoint compatibility.
Q: When will the official stable Linux release launch? A: As of July 2026, Linux builds are only available via closed beta groups; no official GA timeline has been announced.
Q: What is the relationship between ZCode and previous Zhipu CLI tools? A: The dialogue records stored within ZCode Agent can be migrated. ZCode represents the newest generation of Zhipu’s ADE platform.
Q: How does multi-person collaborative work operate? A: Mobile remote terminals, Lark or WeChat bots can join a shared workspace. Multiple participants push progress for one long-running task via bot channels; detailed specifications are documented inside official Bot documentation.
9. Conclusion
ZCode delivers core value by packaging GLM-5.2’s million-token context and long-horizon agent capabilities into a ready-to-run desktop ADE environment. It offers friendly conditions for individual developers via the free trial quota, stable domestic access for mainland teams, and collaborative workflows for group projects.
This guide is compiled based on official materials published in July 2026. ZCode continues iterative updates, so developers should regularly reference official documentation zcode.z.ai/en/docs to obtain new feature information and parameter adjustments.
