SmoothDev Commit Message Generator
A VS Code extension for generating AI-powered commit messages using the SmoothDev.io commit message generator. This extension analyzes your staged changes and automatically generates descriptive, conventional commit messages.
Features
- Adds a "Generate Commit Message" button to the Source Control panel
- Automatically generates meaningful commit messages based on your staged changes
- Integrates seamlessly with the VS Code Git interface
- Secure device flow authentication with Auth0
Requirements
- VS Code version 1.75.0 or higher
- Git extension for VS Code
- Internet connection for authentication and API access
Installation
Local Installation (Development)
- Clone the repository
- Navigate to the
vscode-extension
directory
- Run
npm install
to install dependencies
- Run
npm run windsurf:install
to install in Windsurf
- Or press F5 to start debugging the extension in a new VS Code window
Building the VSIX Package
To build a VSIX package for manual installation:
cd vscode-extension
npm install
npm run package
Then install the generated .vsix
file in VS Code using the "Install from VSIX" command.
Usage
- Make changes to your code and stage them using Git
- Open the Source Control panel in VS Code
- Click the "Generate Commit Message" button in the Source Control title bar
- On first use, you'll need to authenticate through the device flow:
- A notification will appear with instructions
- Click "Open Browser" to open the authentication page
- Enter the provided code in your browser
- Authorize the application
- The extension will automatically continue once authentication is complete
- Wait for the commit message to be generated
- Review and edit the generated message if needed
- Commit your changes
Authentication
This extension uses a secure device flow authentication process with Auth0:
- Authentication Flow: When you first use the extension (or when your token expires), you'll be prompted to authenticate via a browser.
- Security: Your credentials are never stored in the extension; instead, a JWT token is securely stored in your user directory.
- Configuration: The extension looks for configuration in:
~/.smoothdevio/config.json
(primary)
~/.smoothdev/config.json
(fallback)
- Token Storage: JWT tokens are stored in:
~/.smoothdevio/jwt
(token)
~/.smoothdevio/jwt_expiry
(expiration timestamp)
For detailed information about authentication, see AUTHENTICATION.md.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter authentication issues:
- Authentication Timeout: If authentication times out, try again and ensure you complete the process in your browser.
- Debug Mode: Set the environment variable
SMOOTHDEV_DEBUG=1
to enable detailed logging.
- Expired Tokens: If your token expires, the extension will automatically initiate a new authentication flow.
- Configuration Issues: Ensure your configuration files are properly set up. See AUTHENTICATION.md for details.
Extension Settings
This extension doesn't have any specific settings yet.
Known Issues
- The extension currently uses the first Git repository found in the workspace
- Authentication issues may occur if the browser is not opened promptly
Release Notes
1.0.2 (May 2025)
- Updated version with improved publisher ID configuration
- Fixed authentication and configuration issues
- Enhanced documentation and error handling
1.0.1 (May 2025)
- Initial public release of the SmoothDev Commit Message Generator
- Seamless integration with VS Code's Source Control panel
- Secure device flow authentication with Auth0
- Support for generating commit messages from staged changes
- Improved error handling and user feedback
- Comprehensive documentation
Distribution
This extension is available through:
The extension is part of the SmoothDev Commit Message CLI project, which also includes:
- A Python CLI tool (available via PyPI)
- A Homebrew formula (available via
brew install smoothdev-io/tap/smoothdev-commit-message-cli
)
For more information about the distribution and release process, see the DISTRIBUTION.md file in the main repository.
About SmoothDev
SmoothDev provides AI-powered developer tools to improve your coding workflow. Visit smoothdev.io to learn more about our services.