# BoxLang IDE

The **BoxLang IDE Extension** is the official first-party development tool for BoxLang, providing comprehensive language support, debugging capabilities, and productivity features for modern BoxLang development.

## 📦 BoxLang Developer Pack

{% hint style="success" %}
**Quick Setup**: Get this theme along with all essential BoxLang development tools in one click with the [**BoxLang Developer Pack**](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ortus-solutions.vscode-boxlang-developer-pack)!
{% endhint %}

The **BoxLang Developer Pack** is a curated extension pack that includes everything you need for BoxLang development:

* 🚀 **BoxLang Language Support** - Complete language server with IntelliSense, syntax highlighting, and error detection
* 🎨 **BoxLang Theme** - This theme extension with both Dark (Neon) and Light (Muted) variants
* 🧪 **TestBox Support** - Full TDD/BDD testing framework integration
* 📦 **CommandBox Integration** - Package management and project scaffolding tools

### Install the Complete Pack

Instead of installing extensions individually, get the full BoxLang development environment:

**VS Code Marketplace**: [BoxLang Developer Pack](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ortus-solutions.vscode-boxlang-developer-pack)

**OpenVSX Registry**: [BoxLang Developer Pack](https://open-vsx.org/extension/ortus-solutions/vscode-boxlang-developer-pack)

```bash
# Install the complete developer pack
code --install-extension ortus-solutions.vscode-boxlang-developer-pack
```

This automatically installs all BoxLang development tools, including this theme, saving you time and ensuring a complete setup.

## 📦 Individual Installation

### VS Code Marketplace

Install directly from the [Visual Studio Code Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ortus-solutions.vscode-boxlang):

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

### OpenVSX Registry

For VS Code compatible editors like **Cursor**, **Windsurf**, **VSCodium**, and others, install from [OpenVSX Registry](https://open-vsx.org/extension/ortus-solutions/vscode-boxlang):

```bash
# For compatible editors using OpenVSX
cursor --install-extension ortus-solutions.vscode-boxlang
```

### Developer Resources

* **GitHub Repository**: <https://github.com/ortus-boxlang/vscode-boxlang>
* **Documentation**: <https://boxlang-ide.ortusbooks.com/>

{% embed url="<https://boxlang-ide.ortusbooks.com/>" %}

<figure><img src="https://1598982152-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4ENvvb4b3Cmrr1qKj7y4%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-845db2193fa2f3aea2f9f019d0043b0354d5ac93%2Fimage.png?alt=media" alt="BoxLang IDE Extension in VS Code"><figcaption><p>BoxLang IDE Extension providing syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, and debugging support</p></figcaption></figure>

## ✨ Core Features

### Language Server Integration

* **IntelliSense** - Intelligent code completion with method signatures and documentation
* **Inline Documentation** - Hover information for functions, components, and variables
* **Go to Definition** - Navigate to function and component definitions
* **Find References** - Locate all usages of symbols across your codebase
* **Type Information** - Rich type hints and validation
* **Error Detection** - Real-time syntax and semantic error reporting

### Development Tools

* [**Built-in Debugger**](https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/ide-tooling/boxlang-debugger) - Full debugging support with breakpoints, variable inspection, and call stack navigation
* **Mini BoxLang Web Server** - Quick development server for testing applications locally
* **BoxLang Version Manager** - Switch between different BoxLang runtime versions
* **Task Integration** - Execute BoxLang scripts and applications directly from VS Code

### AI-Powered Development

* **BoxLang Agentic Coding** - Chat with `@boxlang` for intelligent code assistance, explanations, and generation
* **Context-Aware Suggestions** - AI understands your BoxLang codebase for better recommendations

### Multi-Language Support

Enhanced syntax highlighting and code introspection for:

* **BoxLang** - Full language support with semantic highlighting
* **CFML** - Legacy ColdFusion compatibility
* **Java** - Embedded Java code blocks
* **HTML/CSS** - Template and styling support
* **SQL** - Database query highlighting
* **JavaScript** - Client-side scripting

### Productivity Features

* **Code Formatting** - Automatic code formatting and indentation
* **Snippet Library** - Pre-built code templates for common patterns
* **Project Templates** - Quick project scaffolding
* **Symbol Navigation** - Outline view and breadcrumb navigation
* **Workspace Integration** - Multi-root workspace support

## 🎯 Getting Started

1. **Install the extension** from VS Code Marketplace or OpenVSX Registry
2. **Open or create** a BoxLang project (`.bx`, `.bxm`, `.bxs` files)
3. **Configure BoxLang runtime** using the version manager
4. **Start coding** with full IntelliSense and debugging support