5 Useful VSCode Extensions for Live Coding

Streaming the development process is an interesting challenge. You're not just entertaining a large group of people (for potentially hours on end) -- you're also collaborating with them while trying stay on task and not lose their focus.

Here's a list of 5 extensions I've found extremely useful for overcoming those challenges.

1. Twitch Highlighter

This awesome extension (made during Live Coding streams by a fellow Live Coders teammate Clarkio) lets viewers help you debug your code highlight lines with a simple chat command!

Missing a semi-colon? !line 36.

2. Bracket Pair Colorizer 2

In a perfect world, your viewers could give you 100% of their attention 100% of the time. In reality, they're probably also working on their own projects, cooking, or second-screening at their desk. Help your viewers quickly parse what's going on at a glance and feel less disoriented when they look away for a few seconds, glance back, and a few parens or curlies moved around.

PRO-TIP - Extensions that help viewers more easily spot syntax errors make it easier to mob-program and debug with your viewers!

3. TODO+

Keep track of current tasks, ideas, bugs you find, and more with this extremely useful but little-known extension. Shortcuts like alt+s to start, alt+d to mark as done, and alt+c to cancel make TODO+ an easy to use task tracker. The extension also supports custom symbols for check boxes and custom-defined tags.

PRO-TIP - Tracking stream tasks and progress in a list is a good Live Coding tactic. Viewers often drop-in mid stream and need help getting their oriented and caught up. After the stream, use the list to write a recap blog.

4. Live Share

Pair program with guests on stream with Live Share! It's an excellent collaboration tool and a must have for every Live Coder's toolkit.

5. Comment Anchors

This is another useful (but little-known) tool to help viewers follow along and stay engaged. Comment Anchors supports custom tags and colors as well, so you can use them to label any sort of comment!

PRO-TIP - If you feel lost during a stream, sift through Comment Anchor tags in the side bar for TODO's and refactor tasks you can focus on until you figure out what to do next!

Share your favs!

What are your favorite extensions for Live Coding?