AMPScript Engine

A VS Code extension for writing, previewing, and testing AMPScript templates locally — with live Salesforce Marketing Cloud data, no platform connection required during development.

Free vs Pro

AMPScript Engine has a free tier with essential language support, and a Pro tier for teams actively developing against Salesforce Marketing Cloud.

Upgrade to Pro at roclily.dev

Activating Pro

Once you have a license key, run:

AMPScript: Activate License

Enter your key when prompted. Your license is stored securely in VS Code's secret storage and validated automatically. Pro features are available immediately after activation — if VS Code was already open, reload the window once after activating.

To deactivate on a machine:

AMPScript: Deactivate License

Features

Free

Syntax Highlighting

Full AMPScript grammar with theme-aware colors for keywords, variables, strings, and operators in .ampscript and .amp files.

Error Diagnostics

Real-time red squiggles on syntax errors as you type, with descriptive messages pointing to the exact line and character.

Hover Documentation

Hover over any AMPScript function to see its full signature, parameter descriptions, return type, and a usage example.

Basic Autocomplete

Keyword and function name suggestions as you type, including all built-in AMPScript functions and language keywords.

Pro

Live Preview

Run any .ampscript file and see rendered HTML output instantly in a side panel. No test send required.

SFMC API Integration

Connect directly to one or more Marketing Cloud Business Units using an Installed Package. Add, switch between, and remove BU connections without leaving VS Code.

Download Data Extensions

Browse and download Data Extensions from your connected BU for local use in the preview engine and autocomplete.

Download Content Blocks

Browse and download Content Blocks from Content Builder so they resolve correctly during local preview.

Push to SFMC

Push your AMPScript source or rendered HTML back to Content Builder directly from VS Code.

DE & Column Name Suggestions

When typing functions like Lookup(), LookupRows(), or UpsertData(), the editor suggests your downloaded Data Extension names and their field names automatically.

Content Block Name Suggestions

When typing ContentBlockByName(), ContentBlockByKey(), or ContentBlockById(), the editor suggests your downloaded Content Blocks by name, key, or ID.

Signature Help

As you type function arguments, a tooltip shows which parameter you're currently on with its name, type, and description.

Getting Started

1. Initialize your project

Open a folder in VS Code and run:

AMPScript: Initialize Project

This creates .ampscript-data/ and .ampscript-blocks/ folders with a README explaining the structure, and adds them to .gitignore.

2. Configure SFMC credentials (Pro)

Add your Marketing Cloud installed package credentials to VS Code settings (Ctrl+,, search for ampscript):

Setting up an Installed Package in SFMC

1. Go to Setup → Apps → Installed Packages
2. Click New and give it a name (e.g. AMPScript Engine)
3. Under Components, add an API Integration with Server-to-Server type
4. Grant the following scopes:
   • Data → Data Extensions: Read, Write
   • Assets → Documents and Images: Read, Write
   • Assets → Saved Content: Read, Write
5. Save and copy the Client ID, Client Secret, and Authentication Base URI

Tokens are cached securely in VS Code's secret storage and refresh automatically.

Data Extensions

Download a Data Extension

AMPScript: Select Data Extension

• Fetches all Data Extensions from your BU (including Shared DEs)
• Use the search box to filter by name
• Rows and field definitions are saved to .ampscript-data/<DE Name>/

Use in AMPScript

Write Lookups exactly as you would in SFMC — no changes needed when deploying:

%%[
  SET @firstName = Lookup('Bruins Season Ticket Holders', 'FirstName', 'EmailAddress', 'test@example.com')
  SET @rows      = LookupRows('Bruins Season Ticket Holders', 'AccountType', 'Corporate')
  SET @count     = RowCount(@rows)

  FOR @i = 1 TO @count DO
    SET @row  = Row(@rows, @i)
    SET @name = Field(@row, 'FirstName')
  NEXT @i
]%%

Hello, %%=v(@firstName)=%%!

IntelliSense for Data Extensions

• Type Lookup(' — shows a list of all downloaded DE names
• After selecting a DE name, type , — shows field names from that DE
• Works for Lookup, LookupRows, LookupOrderedRows, and related functions

Content Blocks

Download a Content Block

AMPScript: Select Content Block

• Fetches all Code Snippets (type 220) and HTML Blocks (type 197) from Content Builder
• Search by name or external key
• Downloads to .ampscript-blocks/<Block Name>/ containing:
  • properties.json — asset ID, customer key, name, type, dates
  • data.json — the block content (AMPScript or HTML)
  • data.html — the block content as raw HTML

Use in AMPScript

%%[ /* By name */ ]%%
%%=ContentBlockByName('Email Header')=%%

%%[ /* By external key */ ]%%
%%=ContentBlockByKey('email-header-block')=%%

%%[ /* By asset ID */ ]%%
%%=ContentBlockById(12345)=%%

Push to SFMC

AMPScript: Push to SFMC

Push the current .ampscript file back to Content Builder. You will be prompted to choose:

What to push:

• Raw AMPScript Source — pushed as a Code Snippet asset
• Rendered HTML — the template is evaluated locally first, then the output is pushed as an HTML Block

How to identify the asset:

• Use filename — the filename (without extension) is used as the asset name
• Enter a custom name — specify any name and optional external key
• Update a downloaded block — choose from a list of blocks already in .ampscript-blocks/

Running Templates

Open any .ampscript file and run:

AMPScript: Run Current File

Or click the ▶ button in the editor title bar.

Supported AMPScript syntax

• VAR, SET — variable declaration and assignment
• IF / ELSEIF / ELSE / ENDIF
• FOR @i = 1 TO @n DO / NEXT
• DO / WHILE
• Inline expressions: %%=v(@variable)=%%
• Block expressions: %%[ ... ]%%
• Single ' and double " quoted strings
• Block and line comments

Supported functions

Project Structure

your-project/
├── .ampscript-data/
│   └── My Data Extension/
│       ├── rows.json
│       └── _columns.json
├── .ampscript-blocks/
│   └── Email Header/
│       ├── properties.json
│       ├── data.json
│       └── data.html
├── .gitignore
└── my-template.ampscript

.ampscript-data/ and .ampscript-blocks/ are local only and excluded from git by default.

Notes

• Multiple BUs — credentials are configured per workspace. To work with a different BU, update the MID and credentials in settings
• Shared DEs — both standard and shared Data Extensions are returned when fetching the DE list
• Variables — all AMPScript variables must start with @
• Inline expressions — use %%=v(@variable)=%% not %%=@variable=%%

Built by RocLily Dev — tools for Salesforce Marketing Cloud developers.