Purrformance Booster is a Visual Studio Code extension designed to supercharge your coding sessions with a delightful virtual cat. Whether you need a boost of motivation, a friendly nudge about code issues, or a structured Pomodoro session, this animated kitty has you covered—purring, prancing, and even playfully hissing at problems!
Table of Contents
Features
Animated Virtual Cat:
Watch your virtual pet animate as it trots along your code, adding a touch of whimsy to your development environment.
Motivational Messages:
Enjoy periodic, witty cat-themed messages that inspire you to stay focused and productive.
Dynamic Code Problem Alerts:
The cat keeps an eye on your diagnostics. If it spots errors or warnings, it reacts by moving toward the issue—and even hisses when needed.
Pomodoro Timer:
Start a customizable Pomodoro session with live countdown updates and encouraging progress messages to keep you on track.
Customizable Experience:
Personalize your cat’s name, message style, and animation settings to fit your unique workflow.
Installation
- Open Visual Studio Code.
- Navigate to the Extensions view by clicking the Extensions icon on the Activity Bar or pressing
Ctrl+Shift+X (or Cmd+Shift+X on macOS).
- Search for "Purrformance Booster".
- Click "Install".
- Reload VS Code if prompted to activate the extension.
Usage
Once installed, the extension automatically activates in your currently active text editor. The charming kitty will appear near your current line—ready to animate, deliver messages, and keep an eye on your code quality.
Commands
You can control various aspects of Purrformance Booster using these commands:
Start Purrformance Booster
Command: extension.showPurrformances
Description: Activates your virtual pet in the active editor.
Change Cat Name
Command: extension.changeCatName
Description: Personalize your virtual cat by updating its name.
Debug Cat Message
Command: extension.debugCatMessage
Description: Enqueue a random cat message—perfect for testing or when you need a quick smile.
Start Purrdoro Timer
Command: extension.startPomodoro
Description: Initiates a Pomodoro session. You can use the default 25-minute session or specify a custom duration.
Stop Purrdoro Timer
Command: extension.stopPomodoro
Description: Stops the current Pomodoro session and resets the timer.
Hiss at Problem
Command: extension.debugCatProblem
Description: Manually trigger the cat’s reaction to code problems—watch it move toward errors and deliver a playful hiss.
Show Daily Pomodoro Count
Command: extension.showDailyPomodoroCount
Description: Displays the number of Pomodoro sessions you’ve completed today.
Configuration
Customize your experience by adjusting the Purrformance Booster settings. To configure, navigate to File > Preferences > Settings (or Code > Preferences > Settings on macOS) and search for purrformance. Key settings include:
purrformance.keepMessagePosition
Type: boolean
Default: false
Description: Keeps the cat’s message fixed on a specific line rather than following your cursor.
purrformance.cuteDecorations
Type: boolean
Default: true
Description: Decorate messages with adorable symbols (like ❀) to enhance visual appeal.
purrformance.motivationalMessageInterval
Type: number
Default: 60
Description: Sets the interval (in seconds) between periodic motivational messages.
purrformance.problemReactionThreshold
Type: number
Default: 10
Description: The number of code issues before the cat shows an overwhelmed reaction.
purrformance.problemResponseInterval
Type: number
Default: 50
Description: Frequency (in seconds) at which the cat checks for code issues and reacts accordingly.
purrformance.enableHissAtProblem
Type: boolean
Default: true
Description: Enables the cat to hiss when it detects code problems.
purrformance.pomodoroUpdateFrequency
Type: number
Default: 60
Description: Determines how often (in seconds) the cat updates you on your Pomodoro session progress.
purrformance.defaultPomodoroDuration
Type: number
Default: 25
Description: Sets the default Pomodoro duration (in minutes) if no custom duration is provided.
Additional Settings:
Tweak animation delays, message styles, and more to fine-tune your virtual cat’s behavior and appearance.
FAQ
Q: My cat isn’t appearing in the editor. What should I do?
A: Make sure you have an active text editor open. If the issue persists, try reloading VS Code or checking the output for errors.
Q: How can I change the cat’s name?
A: Use the Change Cat Name command (extension.changeCatName) and follow the prompt to update your pet’s name.
Q: Can I customize the animation speed and messages?
A: Yes! All animation speeds, message delays, and decoration styles can be customized via the purrformance configuration settings.
Q: The Pomodoro timer isn’t working. What can I do?
A: Ensure that the Pomodoro functionality is enabled in the settings (purrformance.enablePomodoro). You may also try restarting the timer with the provided commands.
Enjoy a boost in productivity with your very own virtual cat—always ready to inspire, alert, and entertain you throughout your coding journey!
