SnapBack — AI Code Intelligence

Your codebase gets smarter every session.
Pattern Memory learns what breaks YOUR code—mistakes don't repeat, patterns compound.

Quick Start · Platform · MCP Integration · Documentation · Discord

Why SnapBack?

AI coding assistants are powerful but unpredictable. SnapBack turns that unpredictability into compound intelligence:

"Code Breaks. Snap Back." — but more importantly, your codebase gets smarter every session.

The SnapBack Intelligence Platform

This extension is one piece of an integrated intelligence system. Each component amplifies the others:

Start here → Extension works standalone. Add CLI for terminal workflows. Add MCP to supercharge your AI assistant.

Key Capabilities

🧠 Pattern Memory

The intelligence layer that learns YOUR codebase. Day 1: snapshots. Day 30: it knows what breaks. Month 3: catches patterns you didn't know existed.

⚡ Instant Recovery

Restore any file to any point in <1 second. No Git archaeology, no lost work.

🔍 AI Detection

Automatically detects changes from 11 AI assistants: GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude, Windsurf, Cline, Tabnine, Codeium, Amazon Q, JetBrains AI, Sourcegraph Cody, and more.

📊 Status Bar Dashboard

One-click access to protection status, quick actions, session stats, and web dashboard.

🔒 Privacy-First

100% local by default. Your code never leaves your machine. Cloud sync is optional.

Quick Start

1. Install

VS Code Marketplace (Recommended)

ext install MarcelleLabs.snapback-vscode

Or install from the marketplace

2. Protect Your First File

1. Open any critical file (.env, auth.ts, database.ts)
2. Right-click → SnapBack: Protect This File
3. Choose a protection level:

3. Your First Restore

When AI breaks something:

1. Cmd+Shift+P → SnapBack: Restore Snapshot
2. Select the snapshot (timestamped, with AI tool attribution)
3. Preview the diff → Confirm
4. Done. File restored.

Shortcut: Cmd+Shift+S creates a snapshot, Cmd+Shift+R restores.

Status Bar Quick Access

The SnapBack status bar item gives you one-click access to everything:

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  SnapBack Quick Actions             │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  📸  Create Snapshot                │
│  ↩️   Quick Restore                 │
│  🛡️   Protect Current File          │
│  📊  Open Dashboard                 │
│  ⚙️   Settings                      │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Click the status bar → select an action → done. No command palette required.

MCP Integration

SnapBack includes a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables AI assistants to coordinate with your protection system.

For AI Assistants (Claude, Cursor, etc.)

When configured, AI assistants can:

snap({mode: "start", task: "refactor auth module"})
→ SnapBack creates checkpoint, returns context

snap({mode: "check", files: ["auth.ts"]})
→ Validates changes against learned patterns

snap_end({ok: 1, learnings: ["Always backup before auth changes"]})
→ Records session outcome for future learning

MCP Tools Available

Setup MCP

Add to your AI assistant's MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "snapback": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@snapback/mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Full MCP documentation →

CLI Integration

For terminal workflows and automation, install the SnapBack CLI:

npm install -g @snapback/cli

CLI Commands

# Create a snapshot before risky operations
snapback snap "before refactor"

# List recent snapshots
snapback list

# Restore a specific snapshot
snapback restore <snapshot-id>

# Check file against learned patterns
snapback check src/auth.ts

# View protection status
snapback status

The CLI shares the same .snapback/ database as the extension—your snapshots and learnings sync automatically.

CLI documentation →

Commands

Core Commands

Protection Commands

Session Commands

Access all commands: Cmd+Shift+P → type "SnapBack"

Authentication

SnapBack works 100% offline with full functionality. Sign in to unlock cloud features.

Sign In (Optional)

1. Cmd+Shift+P → SnapBack: Sign In
2. Browser opens → Sign in with GitHub or Google
3. Extension auto-connects

What Cloud Unlocks

Sign Out

Cmd+Shift+P → SnapBack: Sign Out — all local data preserved.

Configuration

Quick Setup (.snapbackrc)

Create .snapbackrc in your workspace root:

{
  "protection": {
    "patterns": {
      "*.env*": "block",
      "src/auth/**": "warn",
      "**/database/**": "watch"
    }
  },
  "snapshots": {
    "autoCreate": true,
    "maxAge": "30d"
  }
}

VS Code Settings

{
  "snapback.autoProtect": true,
  "snapback.protectionPatterns": ["*.env*", "**/*.key"],
  "snapback.telemetry": false
}

Full configuration reference →

Privacy & Security

• Local-first: All data in .snapback/ in your workspace
• No telemetry without explicit consent
• No code upload: We never see your code
• Open source: Audit at github.com/snapback-dev
• Cloud optional: Full functionality offline

Troubleshooting

Extension Not Activating?

1. Requires VS Code 1.80+
2. Cmd+Shift+P → "Developer: Reload Window"
3. Check Output panel → "SnapBack" for errors

Snapshots Not Appearing?

1. Check .snapback/ directory exists in workspace
2. Verify file is protected: look for badge in explorer
3. Confirm disk space available

MCP Not Connecting?

1. Verify MCP config syntax
2. Check AI assistant supports MCP
3. See MCP troubleshooting →

Get Help & Give Feedback

We're building SnapBack in public and your feedback shapes the product.

• Discord: Join our community →
• GitHub Issues: Report bugs →
• Feature Requests: Discussions →
• Twitter: @snapbackdev

Links

_{Built with 💚 by Marcelle Labs}