VS Code Development Environment

Guide for developing Verdure Assistant using Visual Studio Code.

Environment Setup

Required Extensions

Install essential extensions for C# development:

# Install C# development extensions
code --install-extension ms-dotnettools.csdevkit
code --install-extension ms-vscode.powershell  
code --install-extension eamodio.gitlens
code --install-extension ms-vscode.vscode-json

Project Configuration

Opening the Project

# Clone and open the project
git clone https://github.com/maker-community/Verdure.Assistant.git
cd Verdure.Assistant
code .

Debug Configuration

Create .vscode/launch.json:

{
    "version": "0.2.0",
    "configurations": [
        {
            "name": "Console",
            "type": "coreclr",
            "request": "launch",
            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/src/Verdure.Assistant.Console/bin/Debug/net9.0/Verdure.Assistant.Console.dll",
            "args": [],
            "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}/src/Verdure.Assistant.Console",
            "console": "internalConsole",
            "stopAtEntry": false
        },
        {
            "name": "API",
            "type": "coreclr", 
            "request": "launch",
            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/src/Verdure.Assistant.Api/bin/Debug/net9.0/Verdure.Assistant.Api.dll",
            "args": [],
            "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}/src/Verdure.Assistant.Api",
            "env": {
                "ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT": "Development"
            }
        }
    ]
}

Task Configuration

Create .vscode/tasks.json:

{
    "version": "2.0.0",
    "tasks": [
        {
            "label": "build",
            "command": "dotnet",
            "type": "process",
            "args": [
                "build",
                "${workspaceFolder}/Verdure.Assistant.sln",
                "/property:GenerateFullPaths=true",
                "/consoleloggerparameters:NoSummary"
            ],
            "problemMatcher": "$msCompile",
            "group": {
                "kind": "build",
                "isDefault": true
            }
        },
        {
            "label": "test",
            "command": "dotnet",
            "type": "process", 
            "args": [
                "test",
                "${workspaceFolder}/Verdure.Assistant.sln"
            ],
            "problemMatcher": "$msCompile",
            "group": "test"
        }
    ]
}

Development Tips

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+Shift+P - Command Palette
• F5 - Start Debugging
• Ctrl+F5 - Run Without Debugging
• Ctrl+Shift+` - New Terminal
• Ctrl+K Ctrl+S - Keyboard Shortcuts

IntelliSense and Code Navigation

• Go to Definition: F12
• Peek Definition: Alt+F12
• Find All References: Shift+F12
• Rename Symbol: F2

Integrated Terminal

Use the integrated terminal for dotnet commands:

# Build the solution
dotnet build

# Run tests
dotnet test

# Run a specific project
dotnet run --project src/Verdure.Assistant.Console

Extensions for Enhanced Development

Recommended Extensions

# Code formatting and analysis
code --install-extension editorconfig.editorconfig
code --install-extension ms-vscode.hexeditor

# Git integration
code --install-extension github.vscode-pull-request-github
code --install-extension mhutchie.git-graph

# Documentation
code --install-extension yzhang.markdown-all-in-one
code --install-extension shd101wyy.markdown-preview-enhanced

Workspace Settings

Create .vscode/settings.json:

{
    "dotnet.defaultSolution": "Verdure.Assistant.sln",
    "files.exclude": {
        "**/bin": true,
        "**/obj": true,
        "**/.vs": true
    },
    "editor.formatOnSave": true,
    "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
        "source.fixAll": "explicit"
    },
    "csharp.semanticHighlighting.enabled": true
}

Debugging Features

Breakpoint Management

• Click in the gutter to set breakpoints
• Right-click for conditional breakpoints
• Use logpoints for non-intrusive debugging

Variable Inspection

• Hover over variables to see values
• Use the Variables panel in Debug view
• Add expressions to the Watch panel

Debug Console

Use the Debug Console for runtime evaluation:

// Evaluate expressions at runtime
myVariable.PropertyName
SomeMethod(parameter)

Git Integration

Source Control Panel

• View file changes in the Source Control panel
• Stage and commit changes directly in VS Code
• Compare file versions with built-in diff viewer

GitLens Features

• View git blame information inline
• Explore repository history
• Compare branches and commits

Related Resources

• Environment Setup - Initial setup requirements
• Debugging Guide - Advanced debugging techniques
• Project Structure - Understanding the codebase