Scroll While It Builds

中文版本

Scroll While It Builds is a launcher-first VS Code extension for a very specific developer pain:

you have already asked Codex to do the work, but now you are waiting.

Codex is generating code.
Codex is blocked on a permission request.
Tests are still running.
Builds are still compiling.
You are not really coding, but you also do not want to fully context-switch into another app just to kill time.

This extension gives that idle window a place to go.

Instead of alt-tabbing into a separate browser and mentally leaving your workspace, Scroll While It Builds opens real websites directly inside VS Code, so the waiting moment stays lightweight, reversible, and in-context.

Why This Exists

AI-assisted coding creates a new kind of dead time:

• the next useful action depends on Codex finishing a large patch
• a permission prompt is blocking progress
• a long-running build or integration test is still in flight
• you do not want to start another deep task for a 30-second to 5-minute gap
• opening a separate browser feels like breaking flow, not just changing windows

This project is designed for that exact “micro-wait” moment.

Solution

Instead of leaving the editor, opening a separate browser, and breaking workspace context, Scroll While It Builds keeps the waiting loop inside VS Code:

• stay in the editor
• open real sites
• preserve workspace context
• return to coding faster

Workflow

1. Ask Codex to generate code, review a patch, or run a long task.
2. While the machine is busy, open a real website from the launcher without leaving VS Code.
3. As soon as work is ready again, close the tab or leave it parked and jump straight back into the editor.

Core Features

• Activity Bar launcher for fast access inside the editor
• Real websites, not fake feeds or embedded clones
• Integrated browser first, with clear fallback behavior
• Built-in mainstream video platforms out of the box
• Recent Sites history for reopening what you actually use
• Custom site support through settings
• No credential handling, no cookie scraping, no content proxying

Built-In Sites

Core Commands

Demo

The launcher stays in the Activity Bar, pinned sites stay close, and the real website opens inside VS Code so you can browse during waits without fully leaving your editor.

Quick Start

1. Install dependencies

npm.cmd install

2. Run the local checks

npm.cmd test
npm.cmd run test:integration

3. Launch the extension

Press F5 in VS Code and choose Run Extension.

In the Extension Development Host:

1. click the Scroll icon in the Activity Bar
2. verify Open TikTok, Open YouTube, and Open Bilibili appear in Quick Actions
3. verify the broader platform set appears in Pinned Sites
4. open a few sites and confirm they show up in Recent Sites

4. Package test

npm.cmd run package
code --install-extension .\scroll-while-it-builds-0.1.0.vsix --force

Design Principles

• Launcher first: the extension should feel like an entry point, not a browser replacement.
• Real web first: the MVP opens actual websites instead of simulating platform clients.
• Low-friction by default: opening a site should take fewer steps than leaving VS Code.
• Stay honest about limits: this is for browsing during waits, not for fully reproducing every browser capability.

Known Limitations

• VS Code's integrated browser is still experimental.
• Some websites may restrict capabilities such as popups, camera, microphone, or geolocation.
• Extensions cannot reliably force the entire VS Code workbench into one exact predesigned layout every time.
• This project targets desktop VS Code, not vscode.dev.

Documentation

Detailed testing and publishing docs live here:

• docs/如何测试.md
• docs/如何发布.md
• docs/marketplace-assets.md
• docs/how-to-publish.md

License

Distributed under the MIT License. See LICENSE.