Code Vault VS Code Extension

🚀 AI-powered code snippet manager that automatically captures and suggests relevant code from your personal library

Overview

Code Vault is an intelligent VS Code extension that helps you build a personal library of code snippets. It automatically captures your code as you work and uses AI to suggest relevant snippets when you need them most.

Features

🤖 Smart Code Capture

• Auto-capture selections: Automatically saves code you select (with cooldown)
• File save capture: Captures entire files when you save them
• Manual capture: Use commands to capture specific code snippets
• Duplicate detection: Prevents saving duplicate or highly similar code

🔍 Intelligent Search & Suggestions

• Relevant snippets: Shows code snippets relevant to your current file
• AI-powered matching: Finds similar code patterns using smart algorithms
• Quick insertion: Insert snippets directly into your code with one click

⚡ Seamless Integration

• Keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+Shift+V (show snippets) and Ctrl+Shift+C (capture code)
• Context menus: Right-click in editor to access Code Vault features
• Status checking: Verify connection to your Code Vault desktop app

Installation

Prerequisites

• Code Vault Desktop App must be running
• VS Code 1.74.0 or higher

Setup Steps

Install the Extension

# Install from VS Code Marketplace
# Or load from VSIX: Extensions → ... → Install from VSIX

Configure Server URL

1. Open VS Code Settings (Ctrl+,)
2. Search for "Code Vault"
3. Set "Server Url" to your backend:
   • Local: http://localhost:8802
   • Render: https://code-vault-desktop.onrender.com

Start Desktop App Ensure your Code Vault desktop application is running.
The extension connects to this backend to store and retrieve snippets.

Usage

Basic Commands

Automatic Capture

• Selection Capture: When you select code and pause for a moment
• File Save Capture: When you save a file (entire file capture)

Manual Capture

1. Select code or place cursor in file
2. Use Ctrl+Shift+C or command palette
3. Enter title and optional description
4. Snippet is saved to your personal vault

Finding Relevant Code

1. Use Ctrl+Shift+V in any file
2. Browse suggestions filtered by language and content
3. Click any snippet to insert it at cursor position

Configuration

Extension Settings

{
  "codeVault.serverUrl": "https://code-vault-desktop.onrender.com",
  "codeVault.autoCapture": true,
  "codeVault.captureOnSave": true,
  "codeVault.autoSuggest": true
}

Settings Explanation

• serverUrl: URL of your Code Vault backend (local or deployed)
• autoCapture: Enable/disable automatic code capture
• captureOnSave: Capture entire files on save
• autoSuggest: Show automatic snippet suggestions (future feature)

Architecture

How It Works

VS Code Extension → HTTP API → Desktop App → MongoDB
       ↑
   Snippet Cache

• Extension: Captures code and manages UI
• Desktop App: Backend server with REST API
• MongoDB: Cloud database for snippet storage
• AI Analysis: Server-side code similarity detection

Data Flow

1. Code captured in VS Code
2. Sent to desktop app via POST /api/snippets
3. Stored in MongoDB with metadata
4. Retrieved via GET /api/snippets for suggestions
5. AI analysis via POST /api/ai/analyze for similarity

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

❌ "Cannot connect to desktop app"

• Ensure desktop app is running
• Check server URL in settings
• Verify port 8802 is accessible

❌ Snippets not saving

• Check extension output panel for errors
• Verify MongoDB connection in desktop app
• Check CORS configuration

❌ No suggestions appearing

• Refresh snippet cache with status command
• Check if you have snippets in similar languages
• Verify AI analysis endpoint is working

Debugging

• Check Extension Logs: View → Output → Select "Code Vault"
• Test Connection: Run Code Vault: Check Extension Status
• Manual Testing:

curl https://code-vault-desktop.onrender.com/api/health

Development

Building from Source

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/graciari2000/code-vault-desktop
cd vscode-extension

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Compile TypeScript
npm run compile

# Package extension
npm run package

Project Structure

src/
├── extension.ts          # Main extension code
├── test/                 # Test files
package.json              # Extension manifest
tsconfig.json             # TypeScript configuration

Key Components

• Snippet Interface: TypeScript interfaces for code snippets
• Capture Logic: Automatic and manual code capture
• Similarity Engine: Code comparison algorithms
• API Client: HTTP communication with backend

API Reference

Snippet Object

interface Snippet {
  id: string;
  title: string;
  code: string;
  language: string;
  tags: string[];
  description?: string;
  createdAt: string;
}

Endpoints

• GET /api/health - Server status
• GET /api/snippets - List all snippets
• POST /api/snippets - Create new snippet
• POST /api/ai/analyze - AI code analysis

Support

Getting Help

• Documentation: GitHub Wiki
• Issues: GitHub Issues
• Email: graciari2000@gmail.com

System Requirements

• VS Code: ^1.74.0
• Node.js: 16.x or higher
• Code Vault Desktop App: v0.2.0 or higher

Release Notes

v0.2.0

✅ Fixed MongoDB connection issues
✅ Improved error handling and logging
✅ Enhanced duplicate detection
✅ Better CORS configuration

v0.1.0

🎉 Initial release
✅ Basic code capture functionality
✅ Snippet management
✅ VS Code integration

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details

Contributing

We welcome contributions! Please see our Contributing Guide for details.

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Submit a pull request

Happy Coding! 💻✨

Build your personal code knowledge base with Code Vault - because great developers never write the same code twice.

Code Vault is developed and maintained by Ann Studios