I use vscode for my personal projects (c++ and a fully open source stack, compiling for both Linux and Windows).

I’m using the proprietary version of vscode (via the aur) for the plugin repository, but I’ve always envied the open source version…

Are there any tools that have made you excited?

Bonus points if they have some support for compiling with MSVC (or if you can convince me to ditch it for something else).

  • After being a vanilla vi then vim user for a long time before switching to neovim, I find folke’s which-key plugin to be very helpful. If i begin a key shortcut combination (or press my leader key), it shows me all the keys I can press next, and again after each additional step of a multi key sequence, and what each key sequence does. it works for mappings Ive added (usually basically the defaults for a new plugin) but also the standard built-in preset keymappings (see the ‘built-in’ plugins for which-key) for things like window mamagement and motions, using/viewing the registers (what did I just yank?), even spelling corrections, which helps you learn and build muscle memory. Often I dont use a specific mapping for a while and this helps me find it, especially when I group mappings by plugin, and/or prefix all mappings for a particular plugin or task with an additional prefix letter, so they all appear as options when I get as far as rembering “all my debugging mappings start with my leader key, followed by d.” By grouping tasks and plugins that way, I can press my leader key and see a list of where to go next, almost like browsing a menu hirearchy. “i dont remember which button to press after leader and d to toggle a breakpoint, but I know that’s where I’ll find it”