Handoff — AI Agent for VS Code
Multi-LLM AI agent embedded directly in VS Code. Chat with Claude, GPT, Gemini, Mistral and more — using your own API keys. The agent reads and writes files, runs commands, manages git, and keeps full conversation history when you switch models.
→ handoff.cl · GitHub
What it does
Handoff embeds a full agentic chat panel inside VS Code. The agent has direct access to your workspace: it reads files, writes code, runs shell commands, commits and pushes to git — and shows you a confirmation before any destructive action.
Everything you do in VS Code syncs with the Handoff web app, so you can continue on the same conversation from your browser or another machine.
Key Features
- Multi-LLM — Claude, GPT-4.1, GPT-5, Gemini, Mistral, Llama, Qwen and more. Switch models mid-conversation without losing context.
- Your own API keys — bring your own keys for every model. No per-seat fee.
- Full workspace agent — reads/writes files, runs shell commands, git status/diff/commit/push, searches across the codebase.
- Blueprint system — install model-agnostic commands and roles in any project. Works with any LLM.
- MCP servers — connect external tools (GitHub, Postgres, Slack, Notion, Linear) as additional agent tools.
- Context sync — same conversation, VS Code and web in real time.
- Diff preview — before any file edit, VS Code shows you exactly what changes.
- Confirmation model — writes and git operations always ask first.
git push --force is permanently blocked.
Quick Start
- Install this extension from the marketplace
- Press
Cmd+Shift+H (Mac) / Ctrl+Shift+H (Windows/Linux) to open the chat panel
- Sign in with your Handoff account and add your API key for any model
- Open a repository — the agent detects the workspace automatically
Blueprint — Structured AI Development
Install model-agnostic commands and roles in your project:
Cmd+Shift+P → Handoff: Install Blueprint
This installs .handoff/commands/ and .handoff/roles/ — a set of prompts that give any AI model the mindset of a senior engineer: architecture first, specs before code, justified decisions.
Includes bootstrap-app to scaffold a full project from a single idea, and roles like senior-backend, senior-frontend, senior-design, and security-review.
Open the command selector with Cmd+Shift+K.
→ handoff-blueprint on GitHub
Slash Commands
Type / in the chat input to open the command menu:
| Command |
What it does |
/handoff workspace |
Send the full workspace tree as context |
/handoff read |
Read the active file |
/handoff status |
Git status |
/handoff diff |
Git diff |
/handoff commit "msg" |
Commit with confirmation |
/handoff push |
Push to remote with confirmation |
/handoff plugin |
Open Blueprint command selector |
/handoff security-review |
OWASP security audit |
/handoff architecture-review |
Architecture review |
/switch-model |
Change model in the current session |
MCP Servers
Connect any MCP (Model Context Protocol) server as additional tools for the agent. Configure via VS Code settings:
"handoff.mcpServers": [
{
"name": "github",
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"]
}
]
VS Code Commands
| Command |
Shortcut |
| Handoff: Open Chat |
Cmd+Shift+H |
| Handoff: Install Blueprint |
— |
| Handoff: Send File to Chat |
— |
| Handoff: Send Selection to Chat |
— |
| Handoff: Send Workspace to Chat |
— |
| Handoff: Toggle Auto-Approve Mode |
— |
| Handoff: Toggle Read-Only Mode |
— |
| Handoff: Start Agent Branch |
— |
Requirements
- VS Code 1.85+
- A Handoff account (free)
- API key for at least one model (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Groq, etc.)
Open Core
The extension is open core. Core agent functionality is open source. See handoff.cl for details.
