Open any commit in a fully functional VS Code window. Uses git worktrees under the hood, no stashing, no branch switching.
Use this if you are searching for a way to easily test large changes without having to stash and compare at different times. This allows for two different windows, one with the chosen commit and one with your current changes.
Your .env files and node_modules are automatically symlinked (not copied) — credentials stay in sync and dependencies don't take up extra disk space.
Usage
Open the CommitView sidebar (git-compare icon in activity bar)
Click any commit to open it in a new window
Browse, search, and use all IDE features at that point in history
Commands
Command
Keybinding
Description
View Commit in New Window
Cmd+Shift+V
Pick a commit and open it
Switch to Partner Window
Cmd+Ctrl+S
Jump between main and commit windows
Show Diff Summary
Cmd+Shift+D
See what changed vs current
Close and Cleanup Worktree
—
Close window and delete worktree
Settings
Setting
Default
Description
maxCommitHistory
50
Commits shown in sidebar
autoCleanupOnClose
true
Delete worktree when window closes
filesToLink
.env, .env.*, .npmrc, .yarnrc, .nvmrc
Files symlinked to worktree
directoriesToLink
node_modules, venv, .venv, env, __pycache__
Directories symlinked to worktree
additionalPatternsToLink
[]
Extra patterns to symlink
How It Works
CommitView creates a temporary git worktree for the selected commit, then opens it in a new VS Code window. Configuration files and dependencies are symlinked from your main workspace, so credentials stay in sync and you don't duplicate large folders. When you close the window, the worktree is automatically cleaned up.
