Rell Language Extension for Visual Studio Code

The official VS Code extension for the Rell programming language, designed for the Chromia blockchain platform. Rell enables developers to build decentralized applications (dapps) in a safe, concise, and intuitive way, leveraging relational blockchain technology.

This extension provides full language support for Rell, making development smoother and more productive.

✨ Features

This extension integrates deeply with VS Code and supports most Language Server Protocol (LSP) features:

Syntax & semantic highlighting with contextual color schemes
Diagnostics & warnings (syntax, compilation, linter feedback)
Go to Definition / Find References
Symbol renaming (module renaming currently excluded)
Linter with customizable rules (.rell_lint)
Code formatter with project-specific configuration (.rellformat)
Workspace index caching for faster navigation
Rell Test Runner integrated with Chromia CLI
Customizable styling for better readability

⚡ Workspace Caching

Index caching can be enabled under: Settings -> Extensions -> Rell -> Index Caching
To invalidate caches, run the command: Rell: Invalidate index caches from the VS Code command palette.

🎨 Coloring & Styling

Optional custom color scheme for Rell files, enhancing token-level readability. Enable in: Settings -> Extensions -> Rell -> Color Theme.

🧪 Rell Test Runner

Run and debug Rell tests directly in VS Code.

Requires Chromia CLI (chr command by default).
Can be customized via the setting: Settings -> Extensions -> Rell -> Chr Executable Path (set to a specific binary path or dockerized CLI).

🔍 Linter

A built-in linter enforces best practices and detects potential issues early.

Configuration file: .rell_lint (must be placed in the project root). Example:

[*.rell]
# Check Rell naming convention (true | false)
rule_naming_convention=true

# Warns about imports from non module files (true | false)
rule_import_from_non_module=true

# Preferred quote format (double | single)
rule_quote_format=double

# Rell formatter integration. Detects violations as you type (true | false)
rule_formatter=true

# Detects variables that could be declared as constants (true | false)
rule_constant_detection=true

# Warns about declared but unused variables (true | false)
rule_unused_variable=true

# Warns about outer joins without join conditions, which result in a Cartesian product (true | false)
rule_outer_join_cartesian_product=true

🖊 Code Formatter

Ensures consistent styling across your workspace.

Configurable via .rellformat in the root directory. Example:

[*.rell]
# Maximum character count for each line.
max_line_width=120

# Whether to use spaces for indentation instead of tabs (true | false)
insert_spaces=true

# Number of spaces to be used for each level of indentation.
tab_size=4

📦 Installation

Install Visual Studio Code.
Search for Rell in the VS Code Marketplace.
Install and reload your editor.
(Optional) Install the Chromia CLI for full test runner support.

Rell

ChromaWay