Pathfinder - Code Path Tracker

Track and navigate through code logic flows by marking lines of code.

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Features

• Call Hierarchy View: Automatically visualises all methods in the active file and their outgoing calls, filtered to workspace code only
• Create Code Paths: Organize related code locations into named paths
• Add Code Locations: Right-click on any line to add it to a code path
• Navigate Through Paths: Jump between steps in your code path
• Play Mode: Automatically walk through all steps in a path
• Persistent Storage: Your code paths are saved per workspace

Usage

Call Hierarchy View

The Call Hierarchy panel appears at the top of the Pathfinder sidebar and automatically refreshes when you switch files. It shows every method in the active file along with the workspace methods each one calls, up to 3 levels deep by default.

• Click any node to navigate to that method
• Use the depth toggle buttons in the panel toolbar to switch between 3 levels and all levels
• Pressing back after navigating to a child method returns you to the parent method in the original file
• Recursive calls are shown as non-expandable leaf nodes labelled methodName (recursive)
• Right-click any node to go to its definition or add it to a code path

Creating a Code Path

1. Click the + icon in the Pathfinder sidebar, or
2. Use the command palette: Pathfinder: Create New Code Path
3. Enter a name for your code path (e.g., "User Authentication Flow")

Adding Steps to a Path

1. Navigate to the line of code you want to add
2. Right-click in the editor
3. Select Add to Code Path...
4. Choose which code path to add it to, or create a new one

Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut:

• Mac: Cmd+Alt+P
• Windows/Linux: Ctrl+Alt+P

Navigating Through Steps

From the Sidebar

Click on any step in the sidebar to jump to that location in your code.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

• Next Step: Cmd+Alt+Down (Mac) or Ctrl+Alt+Down (Windows/Linux)
• Previous Step: Cmd+Alt+Up (Mac) or Ctrl+Alt+Up (Windows/Linux)

Playing a Code Path

Click the play icon (▶) next to a code path in the sidebar to automatically walk through all steps with a 1.5-second delay between each step.

Managing Code Paths

• Rename: Click the pencil icon next to a code path
• Delete: Click the trash icon next to a code path
• Remove Step: Click the trash icon next to a specific step
• Label a Step: Click the pencil icon next to a step (or right-click → Rename Step...) to append a note to its label, e.g. Step 1: handler.ts — validate input. Leave empty to clear.

Commands

• Pathfinder: Create New Code Path - Create a new code path
• Pathfinder: Add to Code Path... - Add current line to a code path
• Pathfinder: Go to Next Step - Navigate to the next step
• Pathfinder: Go to Previous Step - Navigate to the previous step

Extension Settings

This extension stores code paths in your workspace state.

Use Cases

• Code Review: Mark important sections of code during review
• Learning: Create paths through unfamiliar codebases
• Debugging: Track the flow of execution through your code
• Documentation: Create guided tours of your codebase
• Onboarding: Help new team members understand code flows

Call Hierarchy Language Compatibility

The Call Hierarchy view depends on the installed language server extension advertising outgoing call hierarchy support. Languages tested:

Languages in the "best-effort" row use definition and implementation lookup to build the call tree. Expansion may be incomplete for calls through dynamic dispatch or lambdas. A banner in the panel indicates this mode.

Interface / abstract calls: for all languages, Pathfinder prefers the concrete implementation over the interface declaration when building the call tree. Right-clicking a node and choosing Go to Definition navigates to the interface or abstract declaration instead. The Code Paths feature works for all languages regardless.

Requirements

VS Code version 1.99.0 or higher

Known Issues

If you encounter any problem, please open an Issue on the GitHub repository.

Release Notes

See CHANGELOG.md for a detailed list of changes and releases.