Kelft for VS Code

Language support for Kelft in VS Code, VSCodium, and compatible editors. Open a .kelft file to get Core and Intent highlighting, file icons, editing assistance, and native compiler integration.

Installation

Use Extensions: Install from VSIX... and select vscode-kelft-0.1.3.vsix, then reload the editor if prompted. You can also install from the command line:

code --install-extension vscode-kelft-0.1.3.vsix

In VSCodium, use codium in place of code.

The extension ID is kelftlang.vscode-kelft. If you previously installed kelftlang.vscode from a VSIX, uninstall that extension and install this renamed one to avoid duplicate providers. Existing kelft.* settings and commands keep their names; the old installation will not automatically update to the new ID.

Features

Syntax and editing: Core and Intent highlighting, comment shortcuts, bracket matching and closing, indentation, folding, and snippets.
Static completion: type pri in Core code and press Ctrl+Space for print/println, or type beh inside an Intent app for behavior.
Built-in reference hover: hover over array_push to see its signature, explicit inout mode, description, and declared effects. Generic names T0/T1 and parameter names arg0/arg1 are reference placeholders.
Import assistance: start an import with import "./ to complete directories and .kelft files. Ctrl/Cmd-click a complete import path, or use Go to Definition, to open the imported file.
Native checks and builds: see compiler diagnostics in the editor and Problems panel, and build saved Core files from the Command Palette.

Text assistance works on unsaved buffers without a compiler. Comments, strings, and Intent prose suppress unrelated suggestions; explicit parenthesized formal clauses use Core suggestions. Completion and hover provide static language reference information. They do not infer local variables, resolve shadowed symbols, or provide member completion.

File icons

Kelft icons appear in Explorer and editor tabs on light and dark themes. Enable a file-icon theme such as built-in Seti through Preferences: File Icon Theme. Your selected theme can override or disable language icons; the extension preserves that choice.

Native compiler setup

Install a native Kelft compiler supporting capabilities --json, check, and build. Put its executable on PATH, or set kelft.compilerPath to its full path. The extension does not bundle or automatically download the compiler. For remote workspaces, install it on the workspace host.

Compiler commands require a trusted workspace and saved, file-backed source. Manual commands prompt before saving modified files. Syntax and static text assistance also work in restricted and virtual workspaces. Import assistance requires an existing file in a file-backed workspace; its source and targets must remain inside the configured project root, including when resolving symlinks.

Commands and settings

Command	Behavior
Kelft: Check File	Check a saved Core or Intent file and show diagnostics.
Kelft: Build File	Build saved Core source for the native host without running it.

Automatic checks run when saved files are opened or saved. Build outputs go under build/vscode, preserving source subdirectories, with .exe on Windows.

Setting	Default	Purpose
`kelft.compilerPath`	`kelft`	Native executable path or command on `PATH`; shell arguments are not accepted.
`kelft.projectRoot`	Containing workspace folder	Absolute or workspace-relative project root, configurable per folder.
`kelft.checkOnSave`	`true`	Check saved files on opening and saving.
`kelft.checkTimeoutMs`	`60000`	Check timeout in milliseconds; range 1000 to 600000.
`kelft.buildOutputDirectory`	`build/vscode`	Build destination relative to the project root.

The Kelft output channel records compiler invocations and errors. A checked status indicates source validation; it does not prove Intent requirements. Blocked Intent decisions appear as needs human.

Troubleshooting and limitations

Compiler unavailable: check kelft.compilerPath and the compiler's required command support. Inspect the Kelft output channel for details.
Import not offered or opened: use a relative forward-slash path, confirm the target exists, and check that source and target are inside kelft.projectRoot.
Operation taking too long: cancel it from the progress notification or adjust the check timeout. Superseded checks cannot publish stale diagnostics.
Text assistance supports documents up to 2 MiB. Import completion examines one directory at a time and returns up to 256 suggestions.

Version 0.1.3 provides static completion and import navigation. General semantic completion, symbol navigation, references, rename, formatting, and debugging are not included. Building a program does not run it or generate an Intent implementation.

Contributing and licenses

Issues and pull requests are welcome. See CONTRIBUTING.md for reporting, development, testing, and contribution requirements.

Software, grammar, and documentation use MIT OR Apache-2.0, at your option. Snippets and copyable examples use MIT-0. Brand artwork follows TRADEMARKS.md and asset provenance. See the licensing guide and distribution notices.

Public specification: www.kelft.com.