CodeXlate - Code-to-Plain-Language Translator

繁體中文 | English | 日本語

Translate code into plain language that non-engineers can understand, line by line.

Translation ≠ Summary: Output follows code structure, not just summarizing functionality.

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/09398329-d723-4349-84a5-f106b56e5d38

Features

• Plain-Language Summary: A quick 1–2 sentence overview of what the code does, highlighted at the top
• Structured Translation: Preserves code's nested hierarchy with indentation
• Smart Naming Translation: isLoading → "is loading", handleSubmit → "handle submit"
• Multi-Framework Support: React, Vue, Node.js and other popular frameworks
• Multi-Language Output: Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, English, Japanese
• No API Key Stored by the Extension: Uses the models you register in VS Code (Copilot, Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, Ollama, ...). Your keys stay in VS Code's secure storage

Installation

1. Open VS Code
2. Press Cmd+Shift+X (Mac) / Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows) to open Extensions
3. Search for CodeXlate
4. Click Install

Usage

1. Select code in the editor (or leave unselected to translate entire file)
2. Press Cmd+K X (Mac) / Ctrl+K X (Windows)
3. Translation appears in the right panel

Or use Command Palette:

• Cmd+Shift+P → Type CodeXlate: 翻譯程式碼

Configuration

CodeXlate does not store or read any API key. It calls models through VS Code's built-in Language Model API, so you manage keys in one place and other extensions cannot read them.

Requirements: VS Code 1.90+. The model management UI is provided by GitHub Copilot Chat, so sign in to GitHub Copilot first (the Free plan is enough).

1. Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P) → Chat: Manage Language Models
2. Pick a provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, Ollama, ...) and enter your API key. Copilot models are available without any extra key.
3. Run CodeXlate: 選擇模型 and pick the model to translate with. If you skip this step, the picker appears on your first translation.

First run: VS Code asks whether to allow CodeXlate to use the selected model. This is a normal one-time prompt; choose Allow.

Upgrading from 0.3.x: the old codexlate.*ApiKey and codexlate.provider settings are no longer read. On startup CodeXlate offers to delete them from settings.json.

Example

Input

const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
useEffect(() => { fetchUserData(); }, [userId]);
const handleClick = () => {
  if (count < 10) { setCount(count + 1); }
};

English Output

## Summary
This code tracks a counter and increments it when the user clicks (up to 10); it also refetches user data whenever the user ID changes.

## State Definition
- Define `counter` state variable, initial value is 0

## Side Effect
When `userId` changes:
- Execute `fetch user data`

## Event Handler
Define `handle click` function:
- If `counter` < 10:
  - Set `counter` = `counter` + 1

繁體中文輸出

## 概要
這段程式負責記錄一個計數，並在使用者點擊時把數字加一（最多加到 10）；另外在使用者資料變動時，重新抓取該使用者的資料。

## 狀態定義
- 定義 `計數器` 狀態變數，初始值為 0

## 副作用
當 `userId` 變動時：
- 執行 `取得使用者資料`

## 事件處理
定義 `處理點擊` 函式：
- 如果 `計數器` < 10：
  - 設定 `計數器` = `計數器` + 1

日本語出力

## 概要
このコードはカウンターを記録し、ユーザーがクリックするたびに数字を 1 ずつ増やします（最大 10 まで）。また、ユーザーデータが変わったときに、そのデータを再取得します。

## 状態定義
- `カウンター` 状態変数を定義、初期値は 0

## 副作用
`userId` が変更されたとき：
- `ユーザーデータを取得` を実行

## イベント処理
`クリック処理` 関数を定義：
- もし `カウンター` < 10：
  - `カウンター` = `カウンター` + 1 に設定

Keyboard Shortcuts

Note: Cmd+T X / Ctrl+T X also works, but may conflict with VS Code's "Go to Symbol" shortcut.

FAQ

Q: Getting "No language model available" error?

A: Open Chat: Manage Language Models, add a provider and your API key, then run CodeXlate: 選擇模型. Make sure you are signed in to GitHub Copilot.

Q: How do I switch models?

A: Run CodeXlate: 選擇模型 from the Command Palette. The choice is remembered.

Q: Translation is too slow?

A: Pick a lighter model (for example Gemini Flash or GPT mini) in CodeXlate: 選擇模型.

Q: Which programming languages are supported?

A: All programming languages are supported, but translation quality is best for JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Go and other mainstream languages.

Support Development

If you find this tool helpful, consider buying me a coffee!

License

MIT License - See LICENSE for details.

Contributing

Issues and Pull Requests are welcome!

• Report Issues
• Feature Requests