Quack Companion - IDE Extension
Overview
Quack Companion is a versatile IDE extension designed specifically for Visual Studio Code (VSCode) users. The extension aims to enhance coding efficiency by integrating features like smart linting, code chat, and curated coding guidelines powered by team insights. It helps developers streamline their coding process, making it less cumbersome and more productive.
Key Features
Code Chat
One of the standout features of Quack Companion is its "Code Chat". Imagine having a chatbot similar to ChatGPT, but tailored specifically for developers. This feature allows developers to engage in conversations about their code, receiving insights, suggestions, and guided support directly within the IDE.
Coding Guideline Curation
Another valuable feature is the guideline curation. It offers a space where software insights can be curated with input from the development team. This promotes a cohesive development strategy and ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding coding standards and practices.
Coming Features
- Smart Linting: While currently disabled, smart linting will check your code for potential issues and suggest improvements.
- Code Completion: Soon to be released, this feature will provide auto-completion for code, assisting developers in writing code faster and with fewer errors.
Getting Started
Prerequisites
Before installing the Quack Companion, ensure that you have Visual Studio Code installed on your computer. You can download it from the official VSCode website.
Installation
You can install the Quack Companion extension in two ways:
- Visit the VS Marketplace page and follow the installation instructions.
- Open VSCode, go to the Extensions sidebar, search for "Quack Companion", and click on "Install".
Future Plans
The roadmap for Quack Companion includes several exciting developments aimed at making the extension a comprehensive tool for developers:
- Live Pair Coding: Transform contribution guidelines into a live pair coding experience with integrated code chat and completion.
- Developer Onboarding: Assist developers in finding entry points for contributing to projects, making onboarding easier.
- Project Alignment: Ensure contributed code aligns with overall project goals and priorities.
Telemetry and Data Collection
Quack Companion collects limited usage data to improve its services. This data helps allocate resources effectively by understanding user interactions with the extension. The team intends to keep the extension free and ad-free by asking users to share anonymized data through Posthog.
You have the option to:
- Anonymize your data: By default, actions are linked to your GitHub username, but you can choose to anonymize them.
- Disable telemetry: Like many VSCode extensions, you have the ability to completely disable data collection.
Contribution and Community
Quack Companion is an open-source project under the Apache License 2.0. Contributions are welcome, whether it's improving the interface or suggesting new features. Interested contributors can join the community on Discord or refer to the CONTRIBUTING guide for more information.
Quack Companion represents a significant step towards enhancing programmer productivity by providing intuitive tools integrated seamlessly into a familiar environment like VSCode.