Learning hovers for C# syntax features — context-aware explanations for keywords, modifiers, and language constructs, powered by Roslyn.
What it does
Hover over any C# keyword and get a concise teaching explanation with examples. The extension understands syntax context: abstract on a class gets a different explanation than abstract on a method.
Features
45+ keywords covered: abstract, sealed, virtual, override, async, await, record, required, init, partial, static, readonly, const, yield, is, as, where, when, delegate, event, and more
Semantic analysis: var shows the inferred type, default shows the resolved value, nameof shows the string result
Context-aware: same keyword → different explanation depending on syntax position
Local-only: all analysis runs on your machine via Roslyn. No code is sent anywhere.
No AI or LLM!: No LLMs were harmed during the making of this extension. But seriously, no AI/LLM is used to generate the information: it's all Roslyn-based.
Settings
Setting
Default
Description
csharpLearningHovers.enabled
true
Enable/disable learning hovers
csharpLearningHovers.triggerMode
hover
hover for automatic, commandOnly for manual only
Commands
C#: Explain Syntax at Cursor — opens a full explanation in a new tab
No .NET SDK installation is required — the extension ships with a self-contained Roslyn backend.
Privacy
This extension analyzes C# source locally only. It does not send code to any remote service. The Roslyn analysis runs as a local .NET process within your workspace.
Troubleshooting
Hovers not appearing?
Check that csharpLearningHovers.enabled is true
Check the "syntask" output channel for server errors
Slow first hover?
The .NET process starts on first use. Subsequent hovers are fast.
Known Limitations
Syntax-only for most keywords (no project/solution context)
var inference requires basic type resolution; complex generics may show ?
Does not replace the C# extension's symbol hovers — it adds teaching content alongside them
