AI Autocomplete for VS Code

AI-powered inline code completions using Claude API for JavaScript, TypeScript, and Dart.

Features

• Inline Completions: Get AI-powered code suggestions as you type
• Language Support: JavaScript, TypeScript, JSX, TSX, and Dart
• Smart Caching: Reduces API calls with LRU cache
• Throttling: Prevents API spam with configurable debounce
• Error Handling: Graceful degradation with informative messages
• Language-Aware: Context-aware completions for each language

Supported Languages

• JavaScript (.js, .jsx, .mjs)
• TypeScript (.ts, .tsx)
• Dart (.dart) - Great for Flutter development!

Setup

1. Get an API Key

1. Go to Anthropic Console
2. Sign up or log in
3. Navigate to "API Keys" section
4. Create a new API key

2. Configure the Extension

Option A: Via Command Palette

1. Open VS Code Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P)
2. Run Claude: Set API Key
3. Paste your API key when prompted

Option B: Via Settings

1. Open Settings (Ctrl+, / Cmd+,)
2. Search for "Claude Autocomplete"
3. Paste your API key in the claudeAutocomplete.apiKey field

Usage

Automatic Completions

Completions appear automatically as you type in supported languages. The extension:

• Extracts context around your cursor
• Sends it to Claude API
• Displays suggestions inline
• Caches results to minimize API calls

Manual Trigger

Press Ctrl+Shift+Space (or Cmd+Shift+Space on Mac) to manually request a completion.

Commands

Available commands in the Command Palette:

• Claude: Set API Key - Update your API key
• Claude: Toggle Autocomplete - Enable/disable the extension
• Claude: Clear Completion Cache - Clear cached completions
• Claude: Trigger Completion Manually - Request a completion manually

Configuration

Open Settings and search for "Claude Autocomplete" to customize:

Cost Estimation

Based on Claude Sonnet 4 pricing:

• Input: $3 / million tokens
• Output: $15 / million tokens

Typical usage: ~$0.10-0.50 per hour of active coding

Example:

• 50 completions/hour
• 500 input tokens average = 25,000 total input tokens
• 100 output tokens average = 5,000 total output tokens
• Cost: (25,000 × $3/M) + (5,000 × $15/M) ≈ $0.15

Performance Notes

• Request Throttling: Max 1 request per 300ms to prevent API spam
• Smart Caching: 100-entry LRU cache with 5-minute TTL
• Aggressive Filtering: Only completes in code (not comments/strings)
• Timeouts: 5-second timeout per request to avoid blocking
• Memory: Uses <50MB memory typical usage

Limitations

• Only works in supported languages (JS/TS/Dart)
• No completions in comments or string literals
• Requires network connection
• API key is stored in VS Code settings

Troubleshooting

"API key not configured"

• Run Claude: Set API Key command
• Or add your key to VS Code settings

"Rate limited by API"

• Reduce debounceDelay setting to decrease request frequency
• Wait a moment before continuing typing

"Request timeout"

• The API took too long (>5s)
• Check your internet connection
• Try again

No completions appearing

• Ensure language is supported (JS/TS/Dart)
• Check you're not in a comment or string
• Verify API key is valid
• Check VS Code output channel: Claude Autocomplete

Privacy & Security

• Your API key is stored securely in VS Code's encrypted settings
• Code context is sent to Anthropic API for processing
• Results are cached locally (not stored externally)
• No telemetry or usage tracking

License

MIT

Links

• Anthropic Console
• Claude Documentation
• VS Code Extension Guide

Support

For issues or questions:

1. Check the troubleshooting section
2. View logs in VS Code output channel: Claude Autocomplete
3. File an issue here

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