carbon-lang/utils/vscode/development.md

Extension development

Tool setup

NodeJS is required to build the extension. You will also need to install vsce and ovsx:

npm install -g @vscode/vsce ovsx

This installs vsce and ovsx to /usr/local/bin. Ensure that /usr/local/bin is in your $PATH environment variable to use it.

Common operations

• Build and install:

  • Locally:

    npm install && vsce package -o carbon.vsix && code --install-extension carbon.vsix
    

  • From a remote SSH host using VS Code Server:

    npm install && vsce package -o carbon.vsix && ~/.vscode-server/cli/servers/Stable-*/server/bin/code-server --install-extension carbon.vsix
    

  • Using the UI:

    1. npm install && vsce package -o carbon.vsix && realpath carbon.vsix
       • This installs dependencies, builds the VSIX file, and prints the path.
    2. Open the command palette and select "Extensions: Install from VSIX...".
    3. Enter the path printed by the above command.

• Build and publish the release to the VSCode Marketplace using the website:

  1. npm install && vsce package -o carbon.vsix && realpath carbon.vsix
  2. Go to https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/manage/publishers/carbon-lang
     • We use infra-role@carbon-lang.dev for publishing; the GitHub account CarbonInfraBot can also be used for login. Contact leads if you require access.
  3. Next to the extension name, click the "..." and select "Update".
  4. Select the carbon.vsix file.

• Build and publish the release to the Open VSX Registry by following the Open VSX documentation for publishing extensions.

Development

1. bazel build //toolchain in project root.
2. Open utils/vscode folder in VS Code.
3. Launch the extension using Run command (F5).
4. In the opened window, open the carbon-lang repository as folder.
5. Open a carbon file.
6. Open code outline (Ctrl+Shift+O).

Debugging output

1. Go to the "Output" panel.
2. In the top right, there is a dropdown; select "Carbon Language Server".

Updating dependencies

To update dependencies, run npm update.