VS Code Extension
Capture ideas directly from your code editor
Overview
The IdeaLift VS Code extension helps developers capture ideas, track TODOs, and manage their GitHub backlog without leaving their editor. Turn code comments, selected text, and issues into actionable items with a single keyboard shortcut.
Getting Started
1Install the Extension
Search for "IdeaLift" in the VS Code Extensions marketplace, or click the button below.
Install from VS Code Marketplace2Get Your API Key
You'll need an API key to connect the extension to your IdeaLift workspace.
- Log in to your IdeaLift Dashboard
- Go to Integrations page
- Click Generate API Key
- Copy the key to your clipboard
3Configure the Extension
In VS Code, open the Command Palette and run the configuration command:
Press Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux)
IdeaLift: Configure API KeyPaste your API key when prompted. The extension is now connected to your workspace!
Features
⚡Quick Capture
Select any text in your editor and capture it as an idea with a single keyboard shortcut. The extension automatically includes the file path and line number as context.
You can also right-click on selected text and choose "IdeaLift: Capture Idea" from the context menu.
🔍TODO Scanner
Scan your entire codebase for TODO comments and push them to IdeaLift. The scanner finds comments matching these patterns:
Customize the patterns in your VS Code settings under idealift.todoPatterns.
💡CodeLens Integration
See inline "Push to IdeaLift" buttons above your TODO comments. Click the lens to instantly capture the comment as an idea without leaving your code.
📊Sidebar Panel
Access IdeaLift directly from the VS Code activity bar. The sidebar includes three panels:
View captured ideas from all sources
Scanned TODO comments from your codebase
Prioritized issues from your connected repository
📋GitHub Backlog
View and prioritize your GitHub issues directly in VS Code. Issues are automatically analyzed and organized by:
Priority (1-5)
Based on labels, age, and content analysis
Effort (XS-XL)
Estimated implementation effort
Quick Wins
High-value, low-effort issues
Stale Issues
Issues that may need attention or closure
Commands
| Command | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
IdeaLift: Capture Idea | Cmd+Shift+I / Ctrl+Shift+I | Capture selected text as an idea with file context |
IdeaLift: Scan TODOs in Workspace | - | Find all TODO comments in your workspace |
IdeaLift: Scan TODOs in Current File | - | Find TODO comments in the current file only |
IdeaLift: Configure API Key | - | Set your IdeaLift API key |
IdeaLift: Refresh Ideas | - | Reload ideas from your workspace |
IdeaLift: Refresh Backlog | - | Reload GitHub issues from your repository |
IdeaLift: Toggle Backlog View | - | Switch between grouped and priority views |
Settings
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
idealift.apiKey | - | Your IdeaLift API key (from Dashboard > Integrations) |
idealift.todoPatterns | ["TODO", "FIXME", "HACK", ...] | Comment patterns to scan for |
idealift.excludePatterns | ["**/node_modules/**", ...] | Glob patterns to exclude from scanning |
idealift.autoScan | false | Automatically scan for TODOs on file save |
Open VS Code settings (Cmd+, or Ctrl+,) and search for "IdeaLift" to configure these options.
Best Practices
📝Use Consistent TODO Patterns
Standardize your team's comment patterns (TODO, FIXME, etc.) so the scanner catches all important notes. Add custom patterns to your settings if needed.
🔄Regular Backlog Reviews
Use the GitHub Backlog panel for your weekly planning. The priority and effort estimates help identify quick wins and plan sprints effectively.
📁Configure Exclude Patterns
Exclude large folders like node_modules,dist, and.git from scanning to improve performance.
Troubleshooting
"API key not configured" error
Run IdeaLift: Configure API Key from the Command Palette and paste your API key from the dashboard.
TODO scan is slow
Add large folders to your exclude patterns in settings. By default, node_modules,dist, and .git are excluded.
GitHub backlog not loading
Make sure you've connected a GitHub repository in your IdeaLift dashboard. The extension pulls issues from your connected repo.
Keyboard shortcut not working
Check for conflicts with other extensions. Go to Keyboard Shortcuts (Cmd+K Cmd+S) and search forCmd+Shift+I to see if another extension is using it.
Need Help?
Having issues or questions about the VS Code extension?