Issue #174 (Is VS Code an IDE?)08/20/25
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In general I often refer to Visual Studio Code as an "IDE", but technically speaking even the VS Code team doesn't call VS Code an IDE. It's generally referred to as a "code editor" or "text editor" and there's a point in their FAQ that asks "What is the difference between Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio IDE?"
The answer explains:
Visual Studio Code is a streamlined code editor with support for development operations like debugging, task running, and version control. It aims to provide just the tools a developer needs for a quick code-build-debug cycle and leaves more complex workflows to fuller featured IDEs, such as Visual Studio IDE.
I also asked ChatGPT if VS Code can be considered an IDE and it said:
An IDE (Integrated Development Environment) traditionally refers to a single piece of software that combines a source code editor, build automation tools, debugging support, and project management features. Classic examples are JetBrains IntelliJ, Eclipse, and Visual Studio.
It further clarified:
VS Code by itself is technically a source code editor, not a full IDE — it’s lightweight and doesn’t ship with all the batteries included (like build systems, debuggers, or project management tools).
It also mentioned that with the right extensions and customizations VS Code can technically delve into the area of what constitutes an IDE as opposed to just a text editor.
Now on to this week's hand-picked links!
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VS Code Tools
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ViewerKit — An extension for VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and other IDEs that adds custom panels that transform your IDE into an AI workspace for content, data, slides, more.
Inflammation — A VS Code extension that adds AI-powered voice-to-code functionality in your editor, to help with repetitive strain (hence the name) due to typing.
Organized Tasks. Clear Mind. — Ditch the sticky notes and app overload. Pocket Informant brings your calendar, tasks, and reminders into one smart, simple app. Less chaos, more done. Try it free today. Sponsor
Claude Debugs for You — An MCP Server and VS Code extension that enables Claude to interactively debug and evaluate expressions.
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VS Code Theme of the Week
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Vira — This is a premium (i.e. paid) theme set that claims to be a successor to the popular Material Theme. It includes 6 primary themes with 6 additional high contrast versions of the originals.
Above is shown the Vira Carbon theme. The 3/5 star rating on the marketplace seems to be due to the fact that it's not a free theme (see the "Activate Vira Theme" message in the screenshot), so you might want to take that with a grain of salt knowing what you're getting into. Nonetheless there is a free trial.
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VS Code Articles & Videos
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Best of the Rest
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Awesome Claude Code — A curated list of slash-commands, CLAUDE.md files, CLI tools, and other resources and guides for enhancing your Claude Code workflow, productivity, and vibes.
📺 Sorry Vim, AI Coding Tools Make You Easy to Quit — Taken from a longer video, in this snippet where Thorsten Ball discusses his declining use of Vim.
Tech Productivity — One of my other weekly newsletters, a brief one sent every Monday that features tips, tools, apps, and articles on productivity, focus, work culture, and more, mostly in the tech industry. Sponsor
macrobank.nvim — A powerful Neovim plugin for managing, editing, and organizing macros with persistent storage across sessions and projects.
If you have any link suggestions, including a tool, article, or other resource related to VS Code or another IDE, you can hit reply, send it via DM on X, or via chat on Bluesky.
That's it for this issue.
Happy VS Coding!
Louis
VSCode.Email
@LouisLazaris
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