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Using AlphaBase in VS Code and compatible forks.

AlphaBase ships a VS Code v2 extension (packages/extensions/vscode-v2) with an in-editor chat view backed by the same runtime contract used by Desktop and CLI.

Requirements

  • VS Code 1.85+
  • network access during the first managed-runtime installation

Install

Marketplace and VSIX installs acquire the compatible AlphaBase runtime on first start. The extension verifies the runtime archive and executable, installs it atomically, and retains the last verified compatible runtime for offline use or rollback. Stable and prerelease extensions use separate release channels.

Terminal window
bun install
bun --cwd packages/extensions/vscode-v2 run package
code --install-extension packages/extensions/vscode-v2/alphabase-v2-<version>.vsix --force

For local development or recovery, set alphabaseV2.binaryPath to a compatible binary. This is an explicit override; normal users do not need a separate CLI or PATH configuration.

Extension ID: alphabase.alphabase-v2

Open The Chat

  • Activity bar AlphaBase icon
  • Command: Open AlphaBase
  • Shortcut: Cmd+L (macOS) / Ctrl+L (Windows/Linux)

Key Commands

The extension contributes ~30 commands; the most commonly used:

  • alphabaseV2.newSession
  • alphabaseV2.restart
  • alphabaseV2.focusChat
  • alphabaseV2.cancelGeneration
  • alphabaseV2.switchModel
  • alphabaseV2.switchMode
  • alphabaseV2.exportConversation
  • alphabaseV2.healthCheck
  • alphabaseV2.continueInDesktop / alphabaseV2.continueInCli / alphabaseV2.copyTaskLink — continue the same persisted task across surfaces
  • alphabaseV2.explainSelection / alphabaseV2.fixSelection / alphabaseV2.askAboutSelection — inline selection actions
  • alphabaseV2.addToChat / alphabaseV2.addSelectionToChat
  • alphabaseV2.openSetupWizard
  • alphabaseV2.openSettingsPanel
  • alphabaseV2.openSophiaAssistant

Browse the full set via the VS Code command palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P) and search “AlphaBase”.

Important Settings

  • alphabaseV2.binaryPath (advanced custom-runtime override)
  • alphabaseV2.logLevel
  • alphabaseV2.permissionsMode (Safe or Full)
  • alphabaseV2.autoContext
  • alphabaseV2.thoughtAutoCollapse
  • alphabaseV2.autoOpenGeneratedFiles
  • alphabaseV2.conversationDensity
  • alphabaseV2.sophia.mode
  • alphabaseV2.sophia.defaultModel
  • alphabaseV2.web.enableWebFetch / alphabaseV2.web.enableWebSearch / alphabaseV2.web.enableWebSurfer

Expected Behavior

During a running task:

  1. tool/thought cards stream in the activity timeline
  2. generated files appear as write/edit outputs
  3. a final completion response lands at task end

Task handoff commands retain the current workspace and session ID. Desktop and CLI therefore project the existing task ledger rather than cloning the prompt into a new conversation.

If this sequence breaks, run Troubleshooting.