VS Code Extension (devdiff v1.9.0)
The DevDiff VS Code extension brings 100% IDE-native codebase intelligence directly inside Visual Studio Code and all compatible open-source code editors. All features execute locally on developer workstations without switching tabs or opening browser windows.
Installation & Registries
DevDiff is published as a single, universal .vsix package providing identical functionality, offline privacy, and local AI capabilities across both official and open-source editor ecosystems:
| Platform | Registry | Installation Command |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Trae | VS Code Marketplace | code --install-extension ebula.devdiff |
| VSCodium, Gitpod, Eclipse Theia, Code-OSS | Open VSX Registry | codium --install-extension ebula.devdiff |
NOTE
Universal Binary: The same .vsix release package (devdiff-1.9.0.vsix) is uploaded to both the VS Code Marketplace and Open VSX Registry, guaranteeing 100% feature parity across proprietary and open-source editor forks.
Extension Architecture
The 4 Sidebar Views & Interactive Previews
- Changelog Explorer:
- ▷ Generate Recent Changelog: Generates a persona-tailored changelog and automatically opens the markdown file side-by-side with live rendered preview.
- ⓘ Project Summary: Displays full AST indexing metadata and architecture in a rendered editor preview.
- 📊 Architecture Diagram: Instant inline dark-mode Mermaid rendering of codebase modules via
devdiff.generateDiagram.
- Q&A Chat Panel: Interactive sidebar chat to ask codebase questions against
.devdiff/memory/codebase-index.json. - Security & Compliance Panel: Run one-click vulnerability scans and check code against 10 regulatory compliance frameworks (GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, etc.).
- Settings Panel: Configure active AI models, rate limits, secret redaction parameters, and inline annotations.
Built-In DevTools Command Suite (Ctrl+Shift+P)
DevDiff includes a built-in DevTools command palette suite for inspecting AST state, debugging AI latency, and profiling diffs:
| Command | Action |
|---|---|
devdiff.devtools.inspectContext | Opens an interactive JSON inspector showing scanned workspace AST entities and token counts |
devdiff.devtools.exportPrompt | Generates and copies the exact AI system prompt & diff payload to your clipboard |
devdiff.devtools.testAI | 1-click diagnostic testing AI connectivity, model response validity, and ping latency |
devdiff.devtools.mockDiff | Simulates and previews synthetic diffs with mock additions, deletions, and hunks |
@devdiff Native Chat Participant (vscode.lm)
Type @devdiff directly in VS Code Chat:
@devdiff what changed in the auth module today?
@devdiff run security scan for staged changes
@devdiff explain the architecture of persistent memoryCodeLens & Gutter Annotations
- Inline CodeLens Triggers:
⚡ DevDiff: Explain ChangesCodeLens links appear above modified functions in active text editors. - Status Bar Integration: Real-time indicator showing active AI model, memory status, and provider status.