ArchLens

ArchLens is an offline codebase architecture explorer.

It scans a repository, builds a dependency graph, and generates:

• An interactive architecture graph inside VS Code
• Markdown documentation:
  • ARCHITECTURE.md – high-level overview
  • MODULES.md – per-module details

Everything runs locally. No servers, no telemetry.

v0.1 MVP Scope (now at 0.10.0 beta)

Languages:

• TypeScript / JavaScript
• Python

Features:

• VS Code command: "ArchLens: Analyze Project"
• File scanning:
  • Discover source files under the workspace (configurable)
  • Detect language by extension
• Dependency graph:
  • For TS/JS: use the TypeScript compiler API to resolve imports
  • For Python: use the AST + simple import resolution
• Output:
  • .archlens/graph.json – normalized module graph
  • ARCHITECTURE.md – generated from graph
• UI:
  • Command: "ArchLens: Open Architecture Graph"
  • Webview with:
    • Nodes (modules)
    • Edges (dependencies)
    • Basic filtering by language and folder
• Quality:
  • TypeScript everywhere
  • Unit tests for core graph building
  • One or two end-to-end tests against a sample project

Non-goals for v0.1

• Refactoring suggestions
• Runtime tracing
• Cloud service
• License enforcement

Future directions

• More languages (Go, Rust, Java)
• Layer detection (presentation/domain/infrastructure)
• Spaghetti detection (hotspots, high coupling)
• Exportable PNG/SVG diagrams
• Paid tier and license key support

Development quickstart

1. Install deps: npm install
2. Run tests: npm test
3. Build core + webview bundle: npm run build
4. In VS Code, launch the "Extension" debug target, then run the commands:
   • ArchLens: Analyze Project (writes .archlens/graph.json, ARCHITECTURE.md, MODULES.md)
   • ArchLens: Open Architecture Graph (renders the graph webview with filters, selection highlighting, and a flow layout)
   • ArchLens: Show Unresolved Imports (quick-pick to jump to unresolved import sites)
   • Status bar button also opens the graph with your last-used filters
   • Context menu commands:
     • ArchLens: Re-run analysis
     • ArchLens: Clear filters
   • Activity Bar view: click the ArchLens icon to expand a view with quick actions (open graph, analyze, show unresolved) and last analysis summary

Current capabilities

• TS/JS analysis with tsconfig path/baseUrl resolution for local modules
• Python analysis of relative and package imports (local-only)
• Graph outputs + generated docs outlining module dependencies and unresolved imports
• Webview to filter by language/search, surface unresolved imports, visualize relationships, export JSON, copy unresolved lists, and reopen with saved filters
• Status bar shows last analysis summary (module counts; hotspot teaser), opens the graph, and can prompt re-analysis via commands

License & Pricing

ArchLens is free for personal use.

If you're using ArchLens with a team or company, please purchase a Team License:

• Team License (up to 10 developers)
• Agency / Enterprise licenses available on request

Team licenses are activated via the VS Code setting:

archlens.teamLicenseKey

All analysis runs locally. Your code never leaves your machine.

v0.10.0

• Switched to a free personal / paid team licensing model.
• Added archlens.teamLicenseKey setting and team capabilities scaffold.
• Updated UI copy and status bar messaging to reflect Team licensing.
• Added team commands for docs/CI report (team-licensed only).

v0.9.0 beta

• Added initial license key support (legacy archlens.licenseKey)
• Graph UX: zoom/pan/reset, folder grouping toggle, node tooltips, PNG/SVG export
• Click nodes to open files in VS Code
• Cycles report (CYCLES.md) and cycles badge in graph
• “Generate docs” button in the webview triggers ARCHITECTURE.md, MODULES.md, CYCLES.md