Stealth GitHub — GitHub repos in VS Code without git clone

Open, browse, edit, and save GitHub repositories without a full local clone. Only files you open use meaningful disk space (~/.stealth/).

Install: Open VSX — kingpranav21/stealth-github · Source: github.com/kingpranav21/stealth

How to use (after install)

1. Reload the window

After installing from Open VSX: Cmd+Shift+P → Developer: Reload Window.

Only keep one Stealth GitHub extension enabled (disable any dev/VSIX copy) to avoid “already registered” errors.

2. Sign in to GitHub

Cmd+Shift+P → Stealth GitHub: Sign in to GitHub

Uses the editor’s GitHub sign-in (same as other GitHub extensions). You need permission to read/write repos you open.

3. Open a repository

Cmd+Shift+P → Stealth GitHub: Open GitHub Repository…

• Type owner/repo (e.g. kingpranav21/stealth) or paste a GitHub URL
• Pick a branch if prompted
• You need push access to save changes (your repo or your fork)

Stealth GitHub creates a workspace under ~/.stealth/workspaces/ — not a full git clone.

4. Browse files

• Sidebar → Remote Repository — expand folders and click files
• Or Explorer — stub files may appear for indexed paths
• Cmd+Shift+P → Stealth GitHub: Find File… (Cmd+Alt+F) to jump by name

First time you open a file: real content is downloaded from GitHub (hydration). Stub placeholders are replaced with actual code.

5. Edit and save to GitHub

1. Open a file and edit as usual
2. Cmd+S / Ctrl+S to save
3. Wait for “Pushed … to GitHub” in the notification

There is no local .git — save goes through the GitHub Contents API.

6. Dashboard and status bar

Click Stealth GitHub in the bottom-right status bar (or Cmd+Shift+P → Stealth GitHub: Dashboard) to see:

• Cache usage vs cap
• GitHub API quota
• Stub Guard warnings
• Quick actions (hydrate, find file, evict cache, etc.)

7. Useful commands

Open the command palette (Cmd+Shift+P) and search Stealth GitHub:

Tips

• Stub Guard: If AI or search sees placeholder text, run Hydrate Active File before sharing code.
• Large folders (node_modules, lockfiles) are blocked from hydration by default.
• Run tests / npm install in repo: use a real git clone or a Codespace — Stealth GitHub is for edit-and-push workflows.

Pro / trial (Lemon Squeezy)

• 14-day free trial — full features, then Pro required.
• After trial without payment — cannot open repos, load files from GitHub, save, push, or sync until you subscribe.
• Subscribe: Stealth GitHub Pro on Lemon Squeezy
• After purchase: Stealth GitHub: Activate License Key (key from Lemon email).

Publisher setup: docs/lemonsqueezy-setup.md

Install kingpranav21.stealth-github on Open VSX. The older kingpranav21.stealth listing is deprecated.

Settings (optional)

Settings → search stealth:

• stealth.cacheMaxMb — max disk per workspace (default 500)
• stealth.globalCacheMaxMb — cap all repos under ~/.stealth (0 = off)
• stealth.stubGuard — warn on stub content in editor
• stealth.checkoutUrl — your Lemon Squeezy checkout link
• stealth.licensing.enabled — trial / Pro gate (default on)
• stealth.trialDays — trial length (default 14)

Features

• Shallow / lazy repo index, on-demand file hydration
• Save to GitHub via Contents API (no local .git)
• Stub Guard, Disk Governor, Dashboard, find file, branch switch, PR link

Privacy & data

• GitHub: editor OAuth — tokens are not stored in the VSIX
• Local: indexes and cache under ~/.stealth/ on your machine
• Network: api.github.com when you browse, open, or save
• No extension-owned telemetry

Support

Issues: https://github.com/kingpranav21/stealth/issues

License

MIT — LICENSE