ROS Dev Toolkit is a VS Code extension for ROS development that keeps package creation, node/launch execution, and runtime graph inspection in one place.
Tested on ROS 2 Jazzy.
Core capabilities
Auto-detect ROS packages in the current workspace.
Create new ROS packages from the sidebar UI.
Create NEW Nodes to existing ament_cmake/ament_python packages.
Auto-detect runnable nodes and launch files per package.
Run nodes and launch files directly from VS Code.
Save and reuse named argument configurations for runs and launches.
Pin packages, nodes, launch files, and topics for fast access.
Track active launch terminals and choose a preferred terminal.
Smart pre-launch build check:
Evaluates whether selected packages need rebuilding. This also includes DEPENDENCIES.
Calls colcon build only on required packages when launching/running, then starts the target automatically.
Node Visualizer:
View nodes, topics, services, actions, and parameters.
Inspect node/topic relationships and details.
Publish to topics using generated payload templates.
Pin topics and monitor latest messages live.
Product tour
Create package
Create node
Launch with arguments
Smart auto build check
Package manager panel
Node visualizer topic tools
VS Code views
The extension adds a ROS Dev Toolkit activity bar container with:
Package Manager
Node Visualizer
Roadmap
More actions for the Services/Parameters panels.
IntelliSense when writing code.
URDF viewer.
Recommended settings
rosDevToolkit.rosSetupPath: Absolute path to your ROS setup.bash.
rosDevToolkit.preLaunchBuildCheck: Enable smart build check before run/launch.
rosDevToolkit.symlinkInstall: Use --symlink-install for faster Python iteration.
rosDevToolkit.launchInExternalTerminal: Use an external terminal for GUI apps (RViz, Gazebo, rqt).
Development setup
Install dependencies: npm install
Build the extension: npm run compile
Start debugging in VS Code with the Run Extension launch config
