unicode-comments

Write scientific comments in real Unicode using LaTeX-flavored commands. Type \lambda, get λ. Type \^{n+1}, get ⁿ⁺¹.

Designed for source-code comments where you want readable math (∀x ∈ ℝ) instead of forall x in R, without depending on rendering tools.

Features

Completion on \

Start typing a backslash and a fuzzy-filtered list of every supported symbol appears, each previewed by the Unicode glyph it inserts.

\lam  ->  λ
\Sig  ->  Σ
\for  ->  ∀
\to   ->  →
\sum  ->  ∑

Accept with Tab or Enter. The whole \command token is replaced with the symbol.

Multi-character super/subscripts: \^{...} and \_{...}

For exponents or indices longer than one character, use a braced group.

\^{n+1}   ->  ⁿ⁺¹
\_{i,j}   ->  ᵢ,ⱼ
x\^{2}    ->  x²
H\_{2}O   ->  H₂O

Three ways to convert:

1. Auto-convert on }. Close the brace and the group converts in place.
2. Live preview while typing. Inside an open group, the completion popup shows the rendered form as a single item. Tab to accept.
3. Bulk convert command (see below).

Characters that have no Unicode super/subscript counterpart (q, most punctuation) pass through unchanged.

Single-character super/subscripts

For one-off characters, the short forms work too: \^2, \_i, \^n, \_0. These appear in the completion list alongside the named symbols.

Hover preview

Hover any \command, \^{...}, or \_{...} token and a tooltip shows the rendered Unicode form plus the source token.

Bulk convert command

Run Unicode Comments: Convert LaTeX Commands to Unicode from the command palette (or Cmd+Alt+U / Ctrl+Alt+U).

• With a selection, converts inside the selection.
• Without a selection, converts the whole document.

Useful for pasted snippets, files written before installing the extension, or workflows that disable on-type behavior (auto-close brackets, for example, suppress the } auto-convert; the command always works).

Supported symbols

A non-exhaustive tour. See src/symbols.ts for the full list.

Commands

Usage tips

• Works in any file type. The completion provider attaches to all file and untitled documents.
• Use the bulk command on a selected comment block to convert everything in one pass.
• If auto-close brackets are on, the } keystroke never reaches the listener so on-} conversion is skipped. The live completion preview and the bulk command both still work.

Known issues

• Auto-close brackets suppress the on-} auto-convert. Use the live completion item or the bulk command instead.
• Conversion is one-way. There is no reverse mapping from Unicode back to LaTeX source.

Release notes

0.0.1

Initial release.

• \command completion for ~200 LaTeX-style symbols.
• \^{...} and \_{...} multi-character super/subscripts.
• Auto-convert on } close, live completion preview, and hover preview.
• Bulk convert command with keybinding.