## CodeSandbox Overview
CodeSandbox is a cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) that supports Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Developed by CodeSandbox, this tool is tailored for developers seeking a seamless coding experience across multiple platforms. It offers a vast context window of 64k tokens, allowing for substantial codebase management and manipulation. With its agentic editing capabilities, CodeSandbox supports multi-file editing, making it a flexible option for developers working on complex projects. The tool also provides full terminal access, enhancing the development experience by allowing developers to execute commands directly within the environment. CodeSandbox’s predictive edits feature is designed to anticipate changes, streamlining the coding process and improving efficiency. The tool is available with a free tier and offers additional features in its paid plans starting at $20 per month.
Pros
- ✓ Cloud-based, accessible from anywhere
- ✓ Supports multi-file editing and full terminal access
- ✓ Predictive edits for enhanced coding efficiency
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certification ensures enterprise-level security
- ✓ Free tier available with premium options
Cons
- ✕ Limited context window compared to some competitors
- ✕ No support for local inference
- ✕ Requires a migration process for extensive setups
## Melty Overview
Melty is a standalone development tool crafted by Charlie Holtz and Jackson de Campos, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is particularly suited for developers seeking a robust environment with local inference capabilities. Melty stands out with its support for a wide range of large language models (LLMs) including GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, and o3. The tool boasts an impressive context window of 200k tokens, providing ample space for managing extensive codebases and facilitating complex project development. Like CodeSandbox, Melty offers multi-file agentic editing and full terminal access, making it a versatile choice for developers. While it offers a free tier, the setup process for migration can be more involved compared to its cloud-based counterparts.
Pros
- ✓ Supports a wide range of LLMs for advanced development
- ✓ Local inference capability
- ✓ Huge context window of 200k tokens
- ✓ Comprehensive multi-file editing and terminal access
- ✓ Enterprise-level security with SOC2 Type II certification
Cons
- ✕ Standalone architecture may limit accessibility
- ✕ Migration requires setup, which can be complex
- ✕ No predictive edits feature
Comparison Table
| Feature | CodeSandbox | Melty |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | cloud | standalone |
| Supported Os | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Developer | CodeSandbox | Charlie Holtz, Jackson de Campos |
| Supported Llms | – | GPT-5, Claude 4.5, Gemini 3.0, o3 |
| Context Window | 64k tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Standard Privacy Policy | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | Free – $20/mo | Free/Pro |
| Config File | sandbox.config.json | .meltyrc |
| Migration | Seamless | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both CodeSandbox and Melty offer unique advantages for developers, with CodeSandbox excelling in cloud accessibility and predictive edits, while Melty provides robust local inference and extensive LLM support. The choice between them depends on the specific needs of the developer, such as the requirement for local processing power or the convenience of cloud-based development.