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Side-by-Side Comparison

AreaKDEE (VS Code)KDES (Native Desktop)
How you installFrom the VS Code MarketplaceDownload a signed DMG/EXE/AppImage
Where it runsInside VS Code (as an extension)Stand-alone window with native menus
AuthenticationNo Koala account required (VS Code SecretStorage only)Requires Koala Cloud sign-in plus Windows SSO helper
Local storageVS Code global state & secretsDedicated Koala folder with tab/results caches
Sharing connectionsVS Code Settings Sync or export/importEncrypted .kdex today, automatic sync coming
UpdatesManaged by VS CodeIn-app banner with Restart & Update

Choosing the Right Surface

  • Stay on KDEE if your team already lives inside VS Code or extensions are easier to deploy.
  • Pick KDES when you need native clipboard/file access, richer OS integration, or a self-contained installer for locked-down environments.
  • Mix and match—both apps has similar features and connections can be exported and imported across apps