VSnippet Engine

VSnippet Engine is a local-first VS Code extension for saving, searching, and inserting reusable code snippets with intelligent autocomplete.

It is designed as a lightweight personal snippet assistant:

• no cloud dependency
• fast in-memory lookup
• language-aware snippet organization

Why VSnippet Engine

• Local snippet storage under your own machine
• Trie-based prefix matching for low-latency suggestions
• Inline ghost completion while typing
• Quick snippet insertion using searchable command palette UI
• One-step save flow from selected code

Core Features

• Prefix autocomplete powered by an in-memory Trie
• Inline ghost text suggestions (Tab to accept)
• IntelliSense completion items for snippet keys
• Save selected code as snippet
• Insert snippet with QuickPick fuzzy search
• Reload snippets from disk without restarting VS Code
• Open snippet folder directly from command palette

Snippet Storage Model

Default root:

~/.codesnippet-engine/

Language-based structure:

.codesnippet-engine/
  cpp/
    binary_search.cpp
    dsu_union.cpp
  python/
    binary_search.py
  javascript/
  typescript/

Notes:

• Each file is treated as one snippet.
• File name (without extension) is used as snippet key.
• Snippets are cached in memory at startup and refreshed on relevant changes.

Installation

From VS Code Marketplace (after publication):

• Open Extensions view
• Search VSnippet Engine
• Click Install

Local .vsix install:

• Extensions: Install from VSIX...
• Select your packaged .vsix file

Quick Start

1. Open any code file (for example, cpp, python, javascript, typescript).
2. Select reusable code and run Save Snippet.
3. Enter a snippet name (example: binary_search).
4. Start typing the snippet key prefix in the same language file.
5. Accept inline suggestion with Tab, or run Insert Snippet.

Commands

Extension Settings

{
  "vsnippetEngine.snippetFolder": "~/.codesnippet-engine",
  "vsnippetEngine.enableInlineAutocomplete": true,
  "vsnippetEngine.enableTrieMatching": true
}

Language Handling

The extension uses document.languageId and normalizes common variants:

• typescriptreact -> typescript
• javascriptreact -> javascript
• cplusplus -> cpp

Architecture (High Level)

• src/trie.ts: Trie implementation for prefix search
• src/snippetLoader.ts: Loads snippets from disk
• src/snippetManager.ts: In-memory snippet/trie cache + persistence
• src/completionProvider.ts: IntelliSense completion items
• src/inlineCompletionProvider.ts: Ghost text inline suggestions
• src/commands/*: Insert, save, reload, and open-folder commands
• src/extension.ts: Extension activation and provider/command wiring

Development

npm install
npm run compile

Run extension in development:

• Press F5 to open an Extension Development Host
• Test commands and inline completion in that host window

Packaging and Publishing

npm run package
npm run publish:patch

Before publishing, confirm these fields in package.json:

• publisher
• repository.url
• homepage
• bugs.url

License

MIT. See LICENSE.