SnapBack

The Intelligence Layer for AI-Assisted Development

SnapBack watches every AI-assisted change, learns what breaks in YOUR codebase, and catches disasters before they ship. Works with Cursor, Copilot, Claude, Windsurf, Cline, and more.

Quick Start · Platform · MCP Integration · Documentation · Discord

Why SnapBack?

AI coding assistants are powerful but unpredictable. They can:

• Overwrite hours of work in a single paste
• Break configurations that "always worked"
• Introduce subtle bugs across multiple files

SnapBack is your safety net. It runs silently in the background, creating restore points and learning patterns. When AI breaks something—and it will—you're one click away from recovery.

"Day 1: 94% accurate. Day 30: It knows YOUR codebase. Month 3: It catches patterns you didn't know existed."

The SnapBack Platform

This extension is the visual interface to the SnapBack intelligence platform. The full platform includes:

Install the extension to get started—the intelligence layer works immediately. Add the CLI or MCP server when you're ready for advanced workflows.

Key Capabilities

Instant Recovery

Restore any file to any point in seconds. 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.

Pattern Learning

SnapBack learns what breaks in your specific codebase and warns you before the same mistakes happen again.

Status Bar Dashboard

Click the SnapBack icon in your status bar to instantly access:

• Protection status at a glance
• Quick actions (snapshot, restore, protect)
• Jump to your web dashboard
• Session statistics

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}