SyntaxTranslator

Highlight any code and instantly get a plain-English, line-by-line explanation — like a senior dev reading it aloud to you. Powered by Google Gemini.

Getting Started (2 minutes)

This extension uses your own Google Gemini API key. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere except directly from your machine to Google's API.

1. Get a free Gemini API key

1. Go to aistudio.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
2. Click Get API Key → Create API key.
3. Copy the key.

2. Set a billing cap (recommended)

Google Gemini's free tier is very generous — you get a large number of tokens per day at no cost. You will likely never be charged unless you're translating thousands of lines every single day. But as a safety net:

1. Go to Google Cloud Console → Billing → Budgets & Alerts.
2. Create a budget with a cap of $1.
3. This just means you're allowing up to $1 to be spent if you ever exceed the free tier token limit. Realistically, you probably won't come close.

3. Add the key to VS Code

1. Open VS Code Settings (Ctrl+, / Cmd+,).
2. Search for SyntaxTranslator.
3. Paste your API key into the Api Key field.

That's it — you're ready to go.

Usage

1. Select a line or block of code in your editor.
2. Right-click → Translate Code to English, or press Ctrl+Shift+E (Cmd+Shift+E on Mac).
3. A panel opens beside your editor with:
   • A line-by-line plain-English explanation on the right.
   • Hover linking — hover over a code line or explanation to highlight the matching pair.
   • A summary of what the code does and why.

Extension Settings

Privacy & Security

• Your API key stays on your machine. It is stored in your local VS Code settings and sent only to Google's Gemini API.
• No telemetry, no analytics, no third-party servers. The extension makes a single API call to Google when you run the command — that's it.
• The extension ships no API key of its own. Every user brings their own key.

Release Notes

0.2.0

• Switched to Google Gemini API (bring your own key).
• New two-column webview with syntax highlighting and hover linking.
• Line-by-line explanations in a casual, developer-friendly tone.

0.0.1

Initial release.