Extensions Monitor

A VSCode extension designed for academic environments to monitor and block AI-assisted coding extensions during exams and technical assessments.

Overview

Extensions Monitor helps educators and exam proctors ensure academic integrity by detecting and blocking AI coding assistants such as GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT extensions, Claude, Codeium, and 100+ other AI tools.

Important: This extension requires a subscription. Do not install it without proper credentials, as it will block your IDE until unlocked by an instructor.

Features

AI Extension Detection

• Hardcoded blocklist: 100+ AI extensions that cannot be bypassed through settings
• Keyword detection: Automatically detects extensions containing AI-related keywords in their ID or description (copilot, chatgpt, claude, codeium, tabnine, etc.)
• Configurable lists: Additional blocked/whitelisted extensions can be configured via VSCode settings

Visual Indicators

The extension provides multiple visual cues so instructors can quickly verify it's active:

• Left Status Bar (Yellow): Shows "EXAM MODE - Monitor Active"
• Right Status Bar (Red): Shows "MONITORED"
• Activity Bar Icon: Green shield with badge indicator
• Sidebar Panel: Green panel displaying "EXAM MODE" status

Password-Protected Unlock

When a blocked extension is detected:

1. A password prompt appears blocking normal IDE usage
2. Instructors can unlock using their credentials (format: email#password)
3. After unlock, a 15-second grace period prevents immediate re-prompting
4. Credentials are verified against a secure backend

Remote Activation Control

Administrators can remotely activate/deactivate the extension across all machines:

• EXAM MODE (Active): AI extensions are blocked, yellow/red status bars shown
• LECTURE MODE (Inactive): AI extensions allowed, blue status bar shown

The activation status is checked once at VSCode startup from a Google Sheet, allowing centralized control over all student machines.

Activity Logging

• Logs extension monitoring activity to ~/Desktop/log/extensions_log.txt
• Tracks when the extension is active on the IDE
• Logs mode changes (EXAM MODE / LECTURE MODE)

Installation

1. Install the extension from the VSCode Marketplace or from a .vsix file
2. Restart VSCode
3. The extension activates automatically on startup

Configuration

Settings

Access settings via File > Preferences > Settings and search for "monitoredExtensions":

{
  "monitoredExtensions.blockedList": [
    "some.extension-id"
  ],
  "monitoredExtensions.whiteList": [
    "allowed.extension-id"
  ]
}

Note: The hardcoded blocklist in config.js cannot be modified through settings, ensuring AI extensions remain blocked.

Blocked Extensions

The following categories of AI extensions are blocked:

Use Cases

• Academic Exams: Prevent students from using AI assistance during coding exams
• Technical Interviews: Ensure candidates demonstrate their own skills
• Certification Tests: Maintain integrity of technical certifications
• Classroom Exercises: Focus on learning fundamentals without AI shortcuts

For Instructors

Verifying Installation

Look for these visual indicators:

1. Yellow status bar item on the left showing "EXAM MODE"
2. Red status bar item on the right showing "MONITORED"
3. Green shield icon in the activity bar with a badge

Unlocking the IDE

If a student needs temporary access (e.g., to uninstall a blocked extension):

1. Enter credentials in the format: email#password
2. The IDE will be unlocked for 15 seconds
3. During this grace period, the student can modify their extensions

Remote Activation Setup

To enable remote activation control via Google Sheets:

1. Create a "Settings" sheet in your Google Spreadsheet
2. Add a boolean value (TRUE or FALSE) in cell B1
3. Add this doGet function to your Google Apps Script:

function doGet(e) {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getSheetByName("Settings");
  var status = sheet.getRange("B1").getValue();

  return ContentService
    .createTextOutput(JSON.stringify({ isActive: status === true }))
    .setMimeType(ContentService.MimeType.JSON);
}

4. Deploy the script as a web app
5. Set B1 to TRUE for exam mode, FALSE for lecture mode

Note: Students must restart VSCode to pick up activation changes.

Requirements

• VSCode version 1.73.0 or higher
• Active subscription for credential verification

Known Limitations

• The blocking mechanism uses VSCode's input box which can be dismissed (ESC key)
• Students could potentially use a different IDE or code editor
• Extensions installed after the check interval (15 seconds) won't be detected until the next cycle

Release Notes

1.11.0

• Fixed credential validation to handle numeric responses (1/0) from Google Apps Script
• Added support for both boolean and numeric authentication responses

1.10.0

• Fixed webview panel not displaying content
• Added webview type declaration in package.json
• Added proper HTML DOCTYPE and meta tags
• Enabled scripts in webview options

1.9.0

• Enhanced sidebar panel with detailed status information
• Added SVG icons for EXAM/LECTURE modes
• Added feature list with icons explaining current restrictions
• Improved visual styling with status badges

1.8.0

• Updated Google Apps Script deployment URL

1.7.0

• Added remote activation control via Google Sheets
• New EXAM MODE / LECTURE MODE toggle
• Status checked at VSCode startup
• Updated UI: red sidebar for exam mode, blue for lecture mode
• Improved README with setup instructions

1.6.0

• Improved README documentation

1.5.0

• Added dual status bar indicators (left yellow, right red)
• Added activity bar badge indicator
• Added green sidebar panel
• Expanded AI extension blocklist to 100+ extensions
• Added keyword detection for Claude, Anthropic, Codeium, Tabnine, etc.
• Fixed Google Apps Script authentication
• Added 15-second grace period after unlock
• Updated minimum VSCode version to 1.73.0

1.0.0

• Initial release with basic extension monitoring
• GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT blocking
• Password-protected unlock feature

License

Commercial License - See LICENSE.md for details.

Repository

https://github.com/skanderturki/extensions-monitor

Support

For issues and feature requests, please visit the GitHub Issues page.