Pi on Code

Pi on Code is a Pi-native coding-agent extension for VS Code. It brings Pi's sessions, package ecosystem, extension runtime, and agent workflow into a first-class editor workspace instead of wrapping them in a generic chat UI.

It combines persistent multi-session conversations, rich streaming tool output, Package and Extension management, and direct access to VS Code code intelligence. The interface follows Pi's compact terminal-inspired visual language while supporting both dark and light editor themes.

Screenshots

Dark theme

Pi on Code dark workspace with sessions, Packages, extension prompts, and streaming tool output

Light theme

Pi on Code light workspace with sessions, Packages, extension prompts, and streaming tool output

Features

Run real Pi agent sessions in VS Code while keeping compatibility with Pi's standard settings, Packages, and JSONL session files.
Work across multiple persistent sessions with independent models and thinking levels; resume, switch, or delete sessions from the Activity Bar.
Stream assistant text, thinking, tool calls, shell output, file previews, and diffs in a compact conversation view.
Steer an active turn or queue, edit, reorder, and promote follow-up messages.
Install and update Pi Packages, preview marketplace media, and enable or disable Session extensions without leaving the sidebar.
Render extension questions and UI interactions directly inside the conversation.
Give Pi access to editor diagnostics, symbols, definitions, references, workspace edits, open tabs, and other VS Code-native context.
Track model, thinking, effort, context usage, active extensions, and agent activity without adding a separate conversation header.

Install

Install Pi on Code from the Visual Studio Marketplace, or run:

code --install-extension auchan.pion-code

The extension restores Pi session tabs that were open when VS Code last closed. It does not reveal a new chat tab automatically when there are no tabs to restore.

Requirements

VS Code 1.118 or newer.
Node.js 22 or newer.
Pi coding agent 0.80.8 through 0.82.1 (current verified compatibility range).

Pi 0.80.8 is the minimum supported release because Pi on Code uses the ModelRuntime-based SDK introduced in Pi 0.80.8. The required Session, Extension Runner, Package Manager, and Settings APIs have been verified through Pi 0.82.1. See the Pi release notes for upstream changes.

Install the latest compatible Pi release globally:

npm install -g --ignore-scripts @earendil-works/pi-coding-agent@0.82.1

Authenticate Pi from a terminal first, run Pi: Set Up API Key / Login, or use Pi: Set Anthropic API Key / Pi: Set OpenAI API Key from the Command Palette. API keys entered through these commands are stored in VS Code SecretStorage.

Use

Open a trusted folder in VS Code.
Open the Pi on Code Activity Bar view or run Pi: Code Agent (Ctrl+Alt+I).
Type a request and press Enter.

Shortcuts inside the Pi chat input:

Enter: steer or send
Alt+Enter: queue a follow-up
Ctrl+L: choose model
Ctrl+P: cycle favorite models
Ctrl+/: command picker

Only Ctrl+Alt+I is registered as a global VS Code shortcut, so Pi on Code does not replace standard editor bindings such as Quick Open or Toggle Line Comment.

Security and privacy

Pi on Code is an agent extension: when you approve or request work, Pi can read and modify workspace files and execute shell commands. For this reason the extension is disabled in Restricted Mode and requires a trusted, non-virtual workspace. Review project context files such as AGENTS.md before use because Pi loads them as instructions.

Prompts, attached editor content, and tool results are sent by Pi to the model provider you configure. Their handling is governed by that provider's terms and privacy policy. Pi on Code does not add telemetry or send usage analytics of its own. Provider API keys entered through Pi on Code are stored with VS Code SecretStorage rather than in settings.json; use Pi: Clear Stored API Keys to remove them.

Report security or functional issues through the GitHub issue tracker. Do not include API keys, session transcripts, or proprietary source code in reports.

Development

bun install
bun run compile
bun run build
bun run install:vsix

bun run build checks types and lint, creates production bundles, and writes artifacts/pion-code-<version>.vsix. bun run install:vsix force-installs that generated package into VS Code. Press F5 in VS Code to launch the Extension Development Host.

Architecture

Attribution

The SDK lifecycle, session persistence, VS Code bridge tools, event translation, webview protocol, and packaging pipeline are adapted from Pi Code Gui. Pi on Code introduces its own product identity, multi-session workspace, integrated Package and Extension experience, and a Pi-inspired visual system for light and dark themes.

The inherited implementation is licensed under the MIT License. Original copyright notices are retained, and Pi on Code contributions are distributed under the same license. See the LICENSE file in the project root.

Pi / Code

auchan