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 agents are powerful but unpredictable. Vibe-coding with Cursor, Claude Code, or Copilot ships features fast—and introduces regressions just as fast. SnapBack turns that unpredictability into compound intelligence:

Your codebase gets smarter every session. Patterns compound. Mistakes don't repeat.

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.

⚡ Time Travel

Access any previous state in <1 second. Compare, diff, learn from what changed.

🔍 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 session status, quick actions, 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. See Pattern Memory in Action

When SnapBack detects a risky change:

1. You'll see a warning with context about why it's risky
2. Compare the diff to understand what changed
3. Accept or revert based on Pattern Memory's guidance
4. SnapBack learns from your decision

Shortcut: Cmd+Shift+S creates a snapshot, Cmd+Shift+R opens the timeline.

Status Bar Quick Access

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

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  SnapBack Quick Actions             │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  📸  Create Snapshot                │
│  🧠  View Timeline                  │
│  🛡️   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 intelligence system.

MCP Health Guardian

The extension includes proactive health monitoring to ensure your MCP server is always ready when AI assistants need it:

• Fast Detection: Know about issues in <5s (not 30s)
• Adaptive Polling: Faster checks when you're actively using AI tools
• Status Bar Indicator: Real-time health status with visual feedback
• Proactive Alerts: Toast notifications when MCP becomes unavailable
• Zero Surprise Failures: LLM tools never hit a dead server unexpectedly

Status Bar States:

Configuration:

{
  "snapback.mcp.healthGuardian.enabled": true,
  "snapback.mcp.healthGuardian.proactiveAlerts": true
}

For AI Assistants (Claude, Cursor, etc.)

SnapBack exposes a 4-tool session API designed for agentic coding loops. Your AI assistant calls these automatically:

snap_begin({ task: "refactor auth module" })
  → briefing: past learnings, active warnings, lineage chain

  [... agent works with full context ...]

snap_pulse()   // optional mid-session vitals check
  → pulse: elevated, pressure: 38%, trajectory: stable

snap_learn({ insight: "always snapshot before token refresh logic" })

snap_end({ outcome: "completed", summary: "..." })
  → ceremony: files changed, patterns captured, carry-forward context

MCP Tools

The full surface—check, advise, safe_to_write, refactoring and learning intelligence tools—is also available. See MCP documentation →

Setup MCP

Add to your AI assistant's MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "snapback": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@snapback/cli", "mcp", "--stdio", "--workspace", "/absolute/path/to/your/project"],
      "env": {
        "SNAPBACK_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Full MCP documentation →

CLI Integration

For terminal workflows and automation, install the SnapBack CLI:

npm install -g @snapback/cli
# or
pnpm add -g @snapback/cli

CLI Commands

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

# List recent snapshots
snap list

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

# View intelligence status
snap status

# Compare current state with a snapshot
snap diff <snapshot-id>

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}