Code Sonic Pi from VS Code with IntelliSense, live execution and inline documentation.
Features
▶ Run code directly in Sonic Pi
Send your code to a running Sonic Pi instance without leaving VS Code.
Alt+R — run the current file (or selection) in Sonic Pi
Alt+S — stop all sounds immediately
Connects to Sonic Pi's internal OSC server — no plugins or configuration needed
Sonic Pi must be open before pressing Alt+R.
🔍 IntelliSense for synths, FX and samples
Autocomplete triggers automatically when you type:
What you type
What you get
use_synth :
All 43 built-in synths with descriptions
with_fx :
All 34 effects with parameters
sample :
All 96 samples grouped by category
play 60,
Param suggestions: attack:, release:, cutoff: …
📖 Hover documentation
Hover over any :synth_name, :fx_name or :sample_name to see its description and parameter list inline — without leaving the editor.
✂️ Snippets
Type the prefix and press Tab:
Prefix
Snippet
ll
live_loop with BPM and sleep
lls
live_loop + synth + play
llb
live_loop beats (drum pattern)
fx
with_fx block
ws
with_synth block
th
in_thread block
pc
play_chord
ppt
play_pattern_timed
sa
sample with amp and rate
fxr
with_fx :reverb
fxe
with_fx :echo
fxd
with_fx :distortion
fxl
with_fx :lpf
rng
(ring ...)
tick
ring.tick
seed
use_random_seed
Requirements
Sonic Pi installed and running (for live execution)
How live execution works
The extension reads the port and session token directly from the running Sonic Pi process — no manual configuration needed. It works on Windows (via WMI), macOS and Linux (via ps//proc).
Known limitations
Live execution requires Sonic Pi to be already open
The extension registers as a language for .rb files — if you also use a Ruby extension, IntelliSense may offer both providers
