April 29, 2025 |

In an unprecedented move that has set a new standard in the world of AI-powered development tools, the creators of Theia IDE have openly exposed their entire system prompt. This bold announcement not only highlights their commitment to transparency but also challenges conventional practices in the AI development space where secrecy often reigns supreme.

Unlike many proprietary AI coding platforms that have faced leaks of their internal promptssome through accidental disclosures and others through deliberate hacksthe Theia IDE is choosing a path of openness and reassurance. While competitors like GitHub Copilot and Cursor grapple with maintaining confidentiality, Theia IDE aims to build a foundation of transparency, control, and trust with its users.

The Great Prompt Leaks of 2023-2025

The past few years have been marked by a series of significant prompt leaks from various AI tools. Various online forums are filled with discussions and claims about these leaks, often raising questions about the reliability and authenticity of the information shared. For instance, GitHub Copilot Chat allegedly had its system prompt exposed via prompt injection, disclosing internal guidelines and behavioral protocols.

Similarly, Cursor, a Claude-based IDE, reportedly revealed its complete system prompt during a 2025 update, although this information has not been officially validated. The community has also seen shared prompt dumps from Replit Ghostwriter, which purportedly contained extensive details about its agent structure and toolset, though the truth behind these claims remains uncertain.

Another notable mention is Codeium's Windsurf tool, where a dramatized alignment strategy prompt circulated online, featuring fictional threats to the AI. Codeium later clarified that this specific prompt was experimental and not implemented in live production environments. Additionally, enthusiasts have extracted or reverse-engineered prompts from tools like Vercels v0 and Devin AI, further highlighting the pervasive issue: users and developers are often left in the dark about the mechanics of AI-powered tools.

These incidents raise a crucial question: If prompts are foundational to AI behavior, why are they typically concealed from users?

Open by Design: The Theia IDE Difference

The Theia IDE fundamentally challenges this norm with a commitment to transparency. Every prompt utilized in Theia AI and its IDE is:

  • Stored as individual, accessible files
  • Licensed under the MIT License
  • Editable in real-time within the IDE, enabling user modifications

This empowering structure allows developers and users alike to inspect, alter, and experiment with AI behavior freely. Whether you're interested in creating a chat agent that explains legacy code in a pirate voice or developing a specialized tool for XML configurations, Theia IDE gives you the freedom to innovate while legally permitting you to keep your creations private if you choose.

Prompt Engineering for Everyone

In a landscape where proprietary tools often shroud their prompts in mystery, Theia IDE opts to treat these prompts as a collective resource, akin to a shared recipe where everyone can access the kitchen. This philosophy enhances innovation in several ways:

  • Tool builders can customize agents to suit their specific requirements.
  • Enterprise teams can adapt the IDE to meet compliance and regulatory standards.
  • End users can customize their development experience on the fly without any vendor lock-in or hidden logic.

Instead, Theia provides clean, transparent AI that users can trust and tailor according to their needs.

Why MIT?

The decision to adopt the MIT license for Theia IDE stems from a desire to promote clarity and remove legal barriers that often stifle creativity. By encouraging open innovation, Theia IDE paves the way for:

  • Prompt modifications tailored to industry-specific applications.
  • Experimental workflows designed for unique team configurations.
  • Community-driven enhancements, allowing users to contribute or build upon existing frameworks.

In stark contrast to the prevalent secrecy in the industry, Theia IDE is forging a future where openness reigns.

Conclusion: Our Prompts Cant Be LeakedTheyre Already Yours

As the conversation around AI tool transparency grows, its essential to remember that at Eclipse Theia, users dont need to compromise or hack their way into accessing prompts. They are given the keys to a fully open system. The AI-powered Theia IDE stands not only as a viable alternative in a crowded market of proprietary coding assistants but as a testament to what a transparent and user-centered approach can achieve.

For those interested in witnessing the capabilities of this open tool firsthand, a demo showcasing how to build AI-native tools with complete control is available. Additionally, potential users can explore the AI-powered Theia IDE to experience its unique features.

For further insights into this innovative platform, interested parties are encouraged to read more about the Theia IDE and to connect with EclipseSource on LinkedIn. The company is ready to assist those looking to leverage AI in their development tools, offering extensive expertise in tool development and consulting tailored to modern needs in AI-driven solutions.