> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/agentic-development/boxlang-ide.md).

# BoxLang IDE

Use the BoxLang IDE extension with AI agents for language intelligence, debugging, and agentic coding in VS Code.

The [BoxLang IDE extension](/getting-started/ide-tooling/boxlang-ide.md) gives you and your agent the same language intelligence: code insight, diagnostics, formatting, and a debugger. It works in VS Code and compatible editors such as Cursor, Windsurf, and VSCodium.

## 🧰 Install

```bash
code --install-extension ortus-solutions.vscode-boxlang-developer-pack
```

The developer pack includes the language support, the BoxLang theme, TestBox support, and CommandBox integration.

## 🤖 How It Helps Agentic Development

* **Agentic coding in the editor.** Chat with `@boxlang` for explanations, generation, and help with your BoxLang code.
* **Language intelligence.** Diagnostics and code insight catch mistakes in agent-written code early.
* **Debugging.** The [BoxLang debugger](/getting-started/ide-tooling/boxlang-debugger.md) lets you step through code an agent wrote.
* **Works with your agent.** Use it alongside Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor, or another agent, with your project's `AGENTS.md`, skills, and MCP servers.

## 🛠️ Command Line Tooling Agents Can Use

Agents can also validate their work from the terminal:

* [Syntax Check](/getting-started/agentic-development/validate-your-code.md) (`boxlang check`) to confirm code parses
* [Formatter](/getting-started/ide-tooling/boxlang-formatter.md) to apply consistent style
* [AST](/getting-started/ide-tooling/boxlang-ast.md) to inspect how code is parsed
* [CFML Feature Audit](/getting-started/ide-tooling/cfml-feature-audit.md) and [CFML Transpiler](/getting-started/ide-tooling/cfml-to-boxlang-transpiler.md) for modernization work

{% content-ref url="/pages/D0lWEn7noQxN6bKv6jds" %}
[BoxLang IDE](/getting-started/ide-tooling/boxlang-ide.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/agentic-development/boxlang-ide.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.