StackMentor VS Code Extension

StackMentor is an open-source VS Code client for the privately operated StackMentor learning service. It lets invited students ask questions about their course, assignment, and code without leaving the editor.

The extension is not a standalone offline or personal-use tool. You need an account and access to the StackMentor-operated backend. Personal backend hosting is not supported.

Features

Sign in with a StackMentor account from the sidebar
Select a school, course, and optional assignment before starting a chat
Send questions and receive mentor replies in the sidebar
View assignment details and current-period usage

Screenshots

Main view

School, course, assignment, and usage selection in the StackMentor sidebar

Chat view

A StackMentor mentor response with inline code

Assignment view

Assignment details in the StackMentor sidebar

Requirements

VS Code 1.125.0 or newer. The extension manifest currently declares compatibility with ^1.125.0.
A StackMentor account with student access to at least one school and course.
Network access to an authorized StackMentor backend.
An active course and an active paid usage period.

Setup for students

Install the extension from the VS Code Marketplace.
Open the StackMentor activity bar item.
Sign in with the account provided by your school or deployment operator.
Select a school and course, then start a chat.

Commands

StackMentor: Open
StackMentor: Refresh
StackMentor: New Chat
StackMentor: Sign Out

Settings

stackmentor.apiBaseUrl: Base URL for the StackMentor-operated backend API.
stackmentor.frontendBaseUrl: Base URL for StackMentor web pages used for sign-up and password reset.

The released extension connects to StackMentor's hosted services. StackMentor does not support operating a separate backend.

Privacy and data handling

The extension sends mentor requests to the configured StackMentor backend. Depending on the request and workspace state, a request may include:

The student's message, selected school/course/assignment, and conversation history
The active file path, selected text, and nearby code around the selection
Content from visible text editors
Paths for up to five opened text tabs, including tabs that are not visible
Files explicitly mentioned in the student's message
A bounded code range from an opened file when Scout requests additional context

During its normal workspace-context collection, the extension skips common sensitive paths and files, including .env files, credentials, secrets, private keys, and certificate files. When the VS Code workspace is untrusted, the extension does not proactively collect project file context. A mentor job may still request a bounded range from a text file that is already open in VS Code.

The backend stores account and chat data and may process mentor context using its configured model providers. The backend operator is responsible for access control, provider configuration, retention, and deletion.

Legal information

Support and security

Public GitHub Issues and pull requests are disabled. For general support, see SUPPORT.md. Please do not include student code, chat history, credentials, or other confidential data in repository content or support requests.

Report security vulnerabilities privately according to the repository's security policy.

License

The extension is released under the MIT License.