ExplainDev for VS Code

ExplainDev is an assistant that gives you an expert to work with while learning new programming skills. We provide personalized, instant answers to technical questions that are delivered with context and without context switching

How to use

1. Select the code you want to understand
2. Open the Command Pallet and search for then select ExplainDev: Explain Selected Code.

In a new tab, an explanation for the code you selected will be generated. Follow-up questions and their answers will also appear so that you can learn more about the selected code.

Getting started

You need to sign up for an ExplainDev account to access all ExplainDev tools including this extension for VS Code. Your email and a key received via email is all that is required for authentication. Note: If you created an account to use the ExplainDev instant tutorial maker or Chrome browser extension, you can use that key for authentication (recover your key here).

1. Install ExplainDev for VS Code
2. Create an ExplainDev account
3. Enter email and key into the extension settings page.
4. Configure language and level preferences

Customizations

This section will grow over time. We are focused on your learning and therefore want to ensure information is being communicated as closely aligned to your learning style and preferences as possible.

Language

Preferred language for all explanations.

• English
• Espanol

Level

Amount of technical language included in explanations. Complexity (not verbosity) of explanations is changed with this customization.

• Basic
• Advanced

Tips and best practices

Initial explanations are kept short and consice. For more details about what code is doing, select less code or use follow-up questions.

Functionality coming soon

• Enter your own technical questions
• Regenerate explanations
• Customizations
• Connectivity with ExplainDev instant tutorial maker and Chrome browser extension