ChiLang VS Code Extension

VS Code support for .chi files used by the ChiLang programming language.

ChiLang is a Chichewa-inspired programming language designed to make programming more accessible while maintaining modern programming capabilities and Python interoperability.

Features

Syntax Highlighting

The extension provides syntax highlighting for:

Chi keywords
Built-in functions
Operators
Strings
Numbers
Comments
Functions
Constants
Exception handling blocks

Supported keywords include:

ika
ngati
kapena_ngati
sizoona
bwereza
yesani
panga
bweza
kuyesera
zakanika
pitilizani
siyani

Intelligent Autocomplete

Autocomplete support includes:

Chi keywords
Built-in functions
Constants
Exception types
Methods
File-aware variable suggestions
File-aware function suggestions

Variables declared using:

ika dzina = "ChiLang"

and functions declared using:

panga moni():
    onetsa("Moni")

automatically appear in suggestions.

Snippets

Quick snippets are included for common ChiLang structures.

Examples:

Variable

ika dzina = ""

If Statement

ngati condition:
    onetsa("zoona")

Loop

bwereza item mu zinthu:
    onetsa(item)

Function

panga moni():
    onetsa("Moni")

Exception Handling

kuyesera:
    onetsa("Testing")
zakanika:
    onetsa("Error")

Auto Indentation

Automatic indentation is supported for both Chi block styles:

Colon Style

ngati zoona:
    onetsa("Moni")

`chita` Style

ngati zoona chita
    onetsa("Moni")
mathero

Run and Translation Tools

Integrated commands allow you to:

Run ChiLang programs
Translate ChiLang to Python
Translate Python to ChiLang
Cancel running processes

Editor and status bar buttons include:

Run Chi
Translate Chi
Cancel Chi

Requirements

You must install the ChiLang command line interface separately.

Please follow the installation instructions for your operating system on the ChiLang website:

https://chi.yazaai.tech/

After installation, follow the website guidance to ensure the chi command is available on your system PATH.

Note for Windows users: if you already have VS Code installed, the ChiLang Windows installer (or the ChiLang website) may offer to install the VS Code extension alongside ChiLang. The extension can also be installed independently from the Visual Studio Marketplace, the ChiLang website, or on GitHub repository releases.

Supported Commands

The extension uses the official ChiLang CLI commands.

Run a ChiLang Program

chi run file.chi

Start Interactive REPL

chi repl

Execute Inline Code

chi exec 'onetsa("Moni dziko!")'

Translate ChiLang to Python

chi translate file.chi --from chi --to python --output file.py

Translate Python to ChiLang

chi translate file.py --from python --to chi --output file.chi

Usage

Open any .chi file in VS Code.

The extension automatically activates and provides:

Syntax highlighting
Autocomplete
Snippets
Run buttons
Translation tools

Keyboard Shortcuts

Run the current ChiLang file:

Ctrl + Alt + R

Additional shortcuts may be added in future updates.

Example Program

ika dzina = "Duncan"

panga moni(name):
    onetsa("Moni", name)

moni(dzina)

Example Translation

ChiLang

ika x = 10

ngati x wapambana 5:
    onetsa("Large")

Python Output

x = 10

if x > 5:
    print("Large")

File Extensions

Supported file extensions:

.chi

Educational Focus

ChiLang was designed to help make programming more accessible to Chichewa speakers and beginners learning computational thinking.

The language combines:

Familiar Chichewa-inspired syntax
Modern programming concepts
Python interoperability
Educational simplicity
Beginner-friendly structure

Roadmap

Planned future features include:

Debugging support
Code formatting
Linting
Error diagnostics
Hover documentation
Integrated tutorials
Language server support (LSP)
Jupyter notebook integration

Troubleshooting

`chi` Command Not Found

If the extension cannot find the chi command:

Ensure ChiLang is installed:
Verify installation:

chi --version

Restart VS Code.
Ensure Python Scripts directory is added to your system PATH.

Contributing

Contributions, suggestions, and feedback are welcome.

Areas open for contribution:

Snippets
Language grammar
Themes
Documentation
Testing
Educational examples

About ChiLang

ChiLang is a Chichewa-inspired programming language focused on accessibility, education, and computational thinking.

It is part of the broader YazaAI initiative focused on African-centered educational technologies.

License

Apache License 2.0

Author

Duncan Masiye

Email: duncanmasiye16@gmail.com

Acknowledgement

Thank you to everyone supporting programming accessibility and African language technology initiatives.

Chichewa Programming Language (chi-lang)

yaza ai