Kanpilot

In-editor Kanban board with AI-driven task execution via GitHub Copilot.

No backend. No Docker. No external services. Install the extension and go.

Features

Kanban Board in Your Sidebar

• 7-column workflow: Specs → Backlog → Todo → Doing → Review → Done + Blocked
• Board data stored in .vscode/board.json — version-controlled, shareable via PRs
• Create, move, edit, and delete cards from the sidebar or command palette
• Card detail webview with description editing, comments, and column management

@board Chat Participant

Talk to your board in Copilot Chat:

@board /new Fix the login page CSS
@board /status
@board /move Fix the login page CSS to review
@board /run Fix the login page CSS
@board /discuss Fix the login page CSS — what approach should we take?

Language Model Tools (Agent Mode)

Kanpilot registers tools that any Copilot agent can call:

These work in agent mode — Copilot automatically invokes them as needed.

Task Memory

• Past task outcomes (success/failure, root causes) recorded in .vscode/board-memory.json
• Injected into /run planning prompts — the AI learns from prior failures
• Kept workspace-local and git-friendly

Git Integration

• Uses VS Code's built-in git extension API
• Branch creation, commit, and push helpers
• Available for integration with /run workflow

Getting Started

1. Install from the VS Code Marketplace (or .vsix)
2. Open any workspace — a default board is created at .vscode/board.json
3. Click the Kanpilot icon in the activity bar to see your board
4. Use @board in Copilot Chat to interact with AI

Requirements

• VS Code 1.93+
• GitHub Copilot extension (recommended — board works without it, AI features require it)

Configuration

Board File Format

{
  "version": 1,
  "columns": [
    { "id": "todo", "name": "Todo", "cards": [
      {
        "id": "a1b2c3d4",
        "title": "Fix login page CSS",
        "description": "The login form overflows on mobile...",
        "labels": ["bug", "frontend"],
        "comments": [],
        "createdAt": "2026-04-12T10:00:00.000Z",
        "updatedAt": "2026-04-12T10:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]}
  ]
}

Development

git clone https://github.com/yattdev/kanpilot
cd kanpilot
npm install
npm run compile
# Press F5 in VS Code to launch Extension Development Host

Package

npm run package
# Produces kanpilot-0.1.0.vsix

Architecture

src/
├── extension.ts      # Entry point — wires services, commands, views
├── types.ts          # Board, Card, Column, Comment interfaces
├── board.ts          # Board service — CRUD, file I/O, file watcher
├── boardProvider.ts  # TreeDataProvider — sidebar columns + cards
├── cardWebview.ts    # Card detail webview panel
├── participant.ts    # @board chat participant (/new, /run, /status, /move, /discuss)
├── tools.ts          # Language model tools for agent mode
├── memory.ts         # Task outcome memory
└── git.ts            # Git workflow helpers (VS Code git extension API)

Design principles:

• Zero infrastructure — everything runs in the VS Code extension host
• Board data is a JSON file — portable, diffable, mergeable
• AI features use Copilot's Language Model API — no API keys needed
• Graceful degradation — board works without Copilot installed

License

MIT