ParallelCode FAQ - Everything You Need to Know About Parallel AI Coding

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Getting Started

Features & Capabilities

Technical Details

Pricing & Licensing

Troubleshooting

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Getting Started

What is ParallelCode?

ParallelCode is a workspace orchestration tool that enables parallel AI-assisted development.

Think of it as a "window manager" for your development environment, but specifically designed for AI coding workflows. Instead of waiting for one AI task to complete before starting another, ParallelCode lets you:

  • Open multiple workspaces simultaneously
  • Run AI coding tools (Cursor, Claude, Copilot, etc.) in each workspace
  • Work on different branches in parallel using git worktrees
  • Manage complex multi-project setups

What it's NOT:

  • ❌ Not a code editor (use your favorite editor)
  • ❌ Not an AI model (works with existing AI tools)
  • ❌ Not a replacement for Cursor/VS Code (complements them)

Real-world example:

Before ParallelCode:
Write prompt → Wait 10 min → Review → Next task → Wait 10 min
Total: 20+ minutes sequential

With ParallelCode:
Open 2 workspaces → Both AIs code simultaneously for 10 min → Review both
Total: ~12 minutes (60% faster)

How is it different from Cursor/VS Code?

AspectParallelCodeCursorVS Code
PurposeWorkspace orchestrationAI-first code editorGeneral code editor
Core ValueParallel developmentDeep AI integrationExtensibility
Use CaseManaging multiple AI tasksAll-in-one codingCustomizable coding
AI IntegrationWorks with any toolBuilt-in GPT-4/ClaudeVia extensions
Parallel Workspaces✅ Native❌ Manual❌ Manual

The Analogy:

  • VS Code = Your car (gets you from A to B)
  • Cursor = Tesla (car with better AI features)
  • ParallelCode = Highway system that lets you drive 3 cars at once

Best Practice: Use ParallelCode + Cursor together for maximum productivity.

Do I need to replace my current tools?

No! ParallelCode works WITH your existing tools, not instead of them.

You can keep using:

  • ✅ Cursor as your editor
  • ✅ VS Code with Copilot
  • ✅ Claude Code in terminal
  • ✅ Any AI coding assistant

ParallelCode simply manages multiple instances of these tools in parallel workspaces.

Setup example:

ParallelCode Settings:
→ Default Editor: Cursor
→ Alternative: VS Code with Copilot
→ Terminal: zsh with Claude

ParallelCode will open your preferred tool in each workspace!

Features & Capabilities

How many workspaces can I run in parallel?

Recommendation by experience level:

ExperienceWorkspacesUse Case
Beginner2-3Learning parallel development
Intermediate3-5Multiple features simultaneously
Advanced5-10Complex multi-project development
Power User10+Enterprise microservices

Limiting factors:

  1. CPU/RAM: Each workspace runs an editor instance

    • Modern laptops (16GB RAM): Comfortably run 5-7 workspaces
    • High-end machines (32GB+ RAM): 10+ workspaces

  2. Disk Space: Each worktree duplicates working files

    • Small repo (100MB): ~20MB per worktree
    • Large repo (1GB): ~200MB per worktree

  3. Mental Bandwidth: More workspaces = more to track

    • ParallelCode's dashboard helps manage this!

Pro Tip: Start with 2-3 workspaces and scale up as you get comfortable.

Does it work with my AI coding tool?

Yes! ParallelCode is tool-agnostic and works with:

✅ AI-First Editors

  • Cursor (recommended)
  • Windsurf
  • Zed with AI extensions

✅ Traditional Editors + AI

  • VS Code with GitHub Copilot
  • VS Code with Codeium
  • VS Code with Continue.dev
  • JetBrains IDEs with AI Assistant

✅ Terminal-Based AI Tools

  • Claude Code
  • Aider
  • OpenAI Codex CLI

✅ Custom Setups

  • Neovim with Copilot.vim
  • Emacs with copilot.el
  • Any editor that supports git repositories

How to configure:

ParallelCode → Settings → Default Editor
→ Browse for executable:
  - macOS: /Applications/Cursor.app
  - Windows: C:\Program Files\Cursor\Cursor.exe
  - Linux: /usr/bin/cursor

Can I use different AI tools in each workspace?

Yes! This is actually a powerful feature.

Example setup:

Workspace 1: Cursor (best for UI work)
Workspace 2: Claude Code (best for backend logic)
Workspace 3: VS Code + Copilot (best for quick fixes)

Use cases:

  1. Tool Comparison: Test which AI works best for a task
  2. Specialization: Use different tools for different types of work
  3. License Management: Free tier on some, paid on others
  4. Learning: Try new tools without committing fully

How to set it up:

Right-click workspace → Settings → Override Default Editor
→ Choose specific editor for this workspace

Technical Details

What are git worktrees?

Git worktrees are a built-in Git feature that lets you have multiple branches checked out simultaneously in different directories.

Traditional Git:

my-project/     ← Only one branch at a time
└── [currently on 'main']

# To work on different branch:
git checkout feature-branch
# Files in my-project/ change to feature-branch

With Git Worktrees:

my-project/           ← Main branch
my-project-feature/   ← feature-branch (separate directory!)
my-project-bugfix/    ← bugfix-branch (separate directory!)

# All exist simultaneously!
# ParallelCode manages these for you!

Key benefits:

  • ✅ No branch switching
  • ✅ True parallel development
  • ✅ Isolated environments
  • ✅ Shared Git history

Learn more: Complete Git Worktrees Guide

How much disk space do worktrees use?

Short answer: 10-30% of your repository size per worktree.

Detailed breakdown:

ComponentShared or DuplicatedWhy
.git database✅ SharedGit objects stored once
Source code❌ DuplicatedDifferent branch = different files
node_modules❌ DuplicatedEach branch may need different versions
Build artifacts❌ DuplicatedIndependent build outputs

Example calculation:

Project: E-commerce app
Repository size: 500MB

Main worktree:           500MB (.git + source + node_modules)
Worktree 1 (feat/auth):  +100MB (source + node_modules, no .git duplication)
Worktree 2 (feat/pay):   +100MB
Worktree 3 (fix/bug):    +100MB

Total: 800MB (60% overhead for 3 parallel workspaces)

Space-saving tips:

  1. Share node_modules via symlinks (if dependencies are identical)
  2. Use .gitignore to exclude build artifacts
  3. Clean up merged worktrees regularly

Will it slow down my computer?

It depends on how many workspaces you run and your system specs.

CPU & RAM Impact:

WorkspacesRAM Usage (Approx)CPU UsageExperience
12-4GB5-10%Baseline
36-12GB15-30%Comfortable on modern laptops
510-20GB25-50%Needs 16GB+ RAM
1020-40GB50-80%High-end workstation

Optimization tips:

  1. Close unused workspaces

    • ParallelCode hibernates inactive workspaces to save resources

  2. Limit concurrent AI tasks

    • Run 2-3 AI coding sessions simultaneously
    • Review others while AIs work

  3. Use lightweight editors

    • Terminal-based tools (Claude Code, Aider) use less RAM
    • Mix heavy editors (Cursor) with light tools

  4. Enable ParallelCode's Resource Manager

    Settings → Performance
☑ Auto-hibernate inactive workspaces
☑ Limit concurrent processes
→ Max concurrent: 3

Benchmark (MacBook Pro 16GB RAM):

  • 2 workspaces: No noticeable slowdown
  • 4 workspaces: Smooth with occasional fan noise
  • 6 workspaces: Some lag when switching, but manageable
  • 8+ workspaces: Not recommended for 16GB RAM

Pricing & Licensing

Is ParallelCode free?

Yes, ParallelCode is currently free during early access.

Current Status (October 2025):

  • ✅ Free for all features
  • ✅ No workspace limits
  • ✅ No credit card required
  • ✅ Community support

Future Pricing (Planned):

  • Free Tier: 2-3 workspaces, community support
  • Pro Tier (~$10-15/month): Unlimited workspaces, priority support, advanced features
  • Team Tier (~$20-30/user/month): Team collaboration, shared workspaces, admin controls

Grandfather Promise: Early adopters will receive significant discounts when paid tiers launch.

Do I still need to pay for Cursor/Copilot?

Yes, if you want to use their AI features in each workspace.

How licensing works:

ToolLicense RequiredCost per Month
Cursor ProYes (one license)$20
GitHub CopilotYes (one license)$10
Claude APIPay per tokenVariable
VS CodeFree$0

Important: One Cursor/Copilot license works in ALL ParallelCode workspaces. You don't need multiple licenses.

Example cost:

ParallelCode: $0 (early access)
Cursor Pro: $20/month
Total: $20/month

What you get:
→ Cursor AI in all parallel workspaces
→ Massive productivity gains
→ ROI: 10x time savings for $20/month

Use Cases

Who should use ParallelCode?

✅ Perfect for you if:

  1. You're building multiple features simultaneously

    • Startup founders shipping fast
    • Freelancers juggling multiple clients
    • Product teams with aggressive deadlines

  2. You work on microservices or multi-repo projects

    • Frontend + Backend + Mobile
    • Multiple services that need coordinated changes

  3. You want to experiment with different AI approaches

    • Let GPT-4 try one solution, Claude try another
    • Pick the best result

  4. You frequently switch between feature work and bug fixes

    • Keep feature branch open while fixing critical bug
    • No context switching overhead

  5. You're already using AI coding tools and want more productivity

    • Cursor user wanting to go faster
    • Copilot user tired of waiting

Not ideal if:

  1. You only work on one task at a time (sequential is fine)
  2. Your machine has limited RAM (less than 8GB)
  3. You prefer fully manual coding without AI
  4. Your projects are too small to benefit from parallelization

Workflow Examples

Example 1: Fullstack Feature Development

Scenario: Building a new user dashboard

Without ParallelCode (Sequential):

1. Build backend API (15 min)
2. Build frontend components (15 min)
3. Write tests (10 min)
Total: 40 minutes

With ParallelCode (Parallel):

Workspace 1: Backend API (Cursor)      ┐
Workspace 2: Frontend (Cursor)         ├─ All running
Workspace 3: Tests (VS Code + Copilot) ┘   simultaneously

Total: 15 minutes + 5 min review = 20 minutes (50% faster)

Example 2: Bug Fix While Developing

Scenario: Critical bug reported while building feature

Without ParallelCode:

1. Stash feature work
2. Switch to main branch
3. Fix bug (10 min)
4. Deploy hotfix
5. Switch back to feature branch
6. Unstash work
7. Continue feature (lost context, need to reorient)

Time lost: ~15 minutes

With ParallelCode:

Workspace 1: Continue feature work
Workspace 2: Fix bug in separate worktree (on main)

No context switching!
Time saved: ~10 minutes

Troubleshooting Issues

Issue: "Git worktree error: branch already checked out"

Problem: Trying to create worktree with branch that's already in use.

Solution:

# Check where branch is checked out
git worktree list

# Remove old worktree if no longer needed
git worktree remove ../old-worktree-path

# Or create worktree with new branch
git worktree add ../new-worktree -b new-branch-name

Issue: "Editor won't open in workspace"

Problem: ParallelCode can't find your editor executable.

Solution:

1. Go to ParallelCode Settings → Default Editor
2. Click "Browse" and select correct path:

   Cursor on macOS: /Applications/Cursor.app/Contents/MacOS/Cursor
   VS Code on Windows: C:\Users\{User}\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe

3. Click "Test" to verify it works
4. Restart ParallelCode

Issue: "Running out of disk space"

Problem: Too many worktrees consuming storage.

Solution:

# List all worktrees
git worktree list

# Remove worktrees you no longer need
git worktree remove ../worktree-name

# Or use ParallelCode:
Right-click workspace → Delete Workspace
☑ Also delete worktree files

Prevention:

ParallelCode Settings → Cleanup
☑ Auto-remove merged worktrees
☑ Warn when disk space <10GB

Issue: "Workspaces are slow or laggy"

Problem: Too many workspaces open for your system resources.

Solution:

  1. Close unused workspaces (ParallelCode → Right-click → Close)
  2. Enable auto-hibernation in settings
  3. Limit concurrent AI tasks to 2-3
  4. Upgrade RAM if frequently hitting limits

Quick check:

# Check memory usage on macOS/Linux
top

# Look for high memory processes
# If multiple editor instances are using >70% total RAM, close some

Advanced Questions

Can I use ParallelCode for code reviews?

Yes! It's excellent for code reviews.

Workflow:

Workspace 1: Your current work (keep open)
Workspace 2: Teammate's PR branch (create from remote)
Workspace 3: Main branch (for comparison)

Review PR in Workspace 2 without disrupting your work!

Setup:

# Create worktree from teammate's PR
git fetch origin pull/123/head:pr-123
git worktree add ../review-pr-123 pr-123

# Open in ParallelCode
parallelcode add ../review-pr-123

Does ParallelCode work with remote development (SSH)?

Yes, but with some limitations.

What works:

  • ✅ Managing local worktrees
  • ✅ Opening remote directories via SSH
  • ✅ Using VS Code Remote SSH extension

What doesn't work:

  • ❌ Creating worktrees on remote server (do this manually)
  • ❌ Direct remote editor integration (use VS Code Remote)

Recommended setup for remote dev:

1. Create worktrees on remote server via SSH
2. Use VS Code Remote SSH in ParallelCode workspaces
3. Each workspace connects to different remote worktree

Can teams collaborate using ParallelCode?

Not yet, but it's on the roadmap!

Planned features (2025-2026):

  • 🔄 Shared workspaces (see teammate's AI progress in real-time)
  • 💬 Workspace chat and annotations
  • 🔗 Team templates and presets
  • 📊 Team productivity analytics

Current workaround:

  • Each team member uses ParallelCode individually
  • Coordinate via Slack/Discord
  • Share git branches as usual

Getting Help

Where can I get support?

Community Support (Free):

Pro Support (Coming Soon):

  • 🎫 Priority ticket system
  • 📹 Video call support
  • 🚀 Dedicated onboarding

How do I report a bug?

  1. Check if it's a known issue: GitHub Issues
  2. Gather information:
    • OS and version
    • ParallelCode version
    • Steps to reproduce
    • Error messages or logs
  3. Submit via:

How can I request a feature?

We love feature requests!

  1. Check existing requests: Feature Roadmap
  2. Submit your idea:
    • Discord #feature-requests
    • GitHub Discussions
    • Email with detailed use case
  3. Vote on others' requests: Help us prioritize!

Most requested features (currently in development):

  • ⭐ Background agents (AI codes while you're in meetings)
  • ⭐ Task decomposition (break complex features into parallel tasks)
  • ⭐ Team collaboration
  • ⭐ Cloud workspace sync

Conclusion

Still have questions?

Quick Answers:

  • ParallelCode is free (early access)
  • Works with Cursor, VS Code, Claude, and any AI tool
  • Enables parallel development with git worktrees
  • Recommended: 16GB RAM for 3-5 workspaces
  • Best used with your existing AI coding tools

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Last updated: October 21, 2025 Have a question not answered here? Contact us