GitHub.dev vs Codespaces

VScode can run on an iPad in 2 different ways. GitHub.dev and Codespaces. GitHub.dev is lightweight and free and somewhat limited in features. Codespaces is more capable as it runs in a VM and costs money for compute and storage.

Codespaces features not available in GitHub.dev

• Debug and run code
• Terminal
• Copilot extension can be used
• Full intellisense
• Can use linting based on install packages

Adding VSCode to your iPad homescreen

• Better keyboard support
• Easier to run
• Easier to navigate to in the list of running apps

Stage Manager and Display Zoom

When using an iPad for development, you will likely want to multitask a lot and be able to see multiple apps at the same time. These settings will enhance that experience.

Stage Manager for multitasking

Multitasking & Gestures -> Stage Manager

Display Zoom for more space

Display & Brightness -> Display Zoom -> More Space

VSCode Keyboard Shortcuts on iPad

Note: The keyboard functionality on the iPad is limited compared to the full VSCode experience.

Most useful ones to learn first

• CMD-SHIFT-P command palette (can also get to file selection if you backspace to remove >)
• CMD-P file selection, and can keep pressing to go through list (can type > to get to command palette, : to get to go to line)
• CTRL-G go to line in file
• CMD-K-S lists all keyboard shortcuts

Sidebar

• CMD-SHIFT-E explorer
• CMD-SHIFT-F search / find
• CTRL-SHIFT-G goes to the github section
  • but does not seem to put focus in messsage, but you can use tab to cycle through files as well as cursor keys
  • CMD-SHIFT-G would be the natural choice, but it is assigned to another function
• CMD-SHIFT-D debug / run (not usable in the web-based editor)
• CMD-SHIFT-X extensions
• CMD-CTRL-I GitHub copilot
• CMD-B toggle sidebar

Copilot

• CMD-SHIFT-I ask Copilot
  • type / to get a list of commands
  • type /help for help

Slash Commands

Slash commands tailor the conversation to common tasks. Pick from the available commands by typing /:

/help - Learn how to use Copilot Chat /workspace - Ask a question about the files in your current workspace /tests - Generate unit tests for the selected code /simplify - Simplify the selected code /fix - Propose a fix for the problems in the selected code /explain - Explain how the selected code works /extApi - Ask about VS Code extension development /vscode - Ask questions about VS Code /createNotebook - Create a new Jupyter Notebook /createWorkspace - Scaffold code for a new workspace /search - Generate query parameters for workspace search

• Shortcuts I have made
  • CMD-CTRL-D /doc for Copilot to add a docstring to a function

Others

• Move code up and down using cursor keys
  • OPT-UP/DOWN
  • Works on selected text as well as current line
• Remote repository changing
• Already specified ESC key change
• How to change tabs simply
• Page up and page down
• Can I access github functionality such as commiting, would be nice to have save and commit
• What are good shortcuts to define
• Are there other people writing about this?
• Add the multiple cursor shortcuts
  • CMD-OPT-UP/DOWN adds a cursor up or down from current position
  • SHIFT-OPT-i after making a selection will add a cursor to the end of lines
  • CMD-SHIFT-L causes all occurrences under cursor to be selected with multiple cursors
  • OPT-CLICK puts a cursor where you click
  • CMD-D press multiple times to add a cursor on the word under current position
• List of useful shortcuts and how they are helpful
  • CMD-S
  • CMD-/ for commenting and uncommenting
  • CMD-L selects current line, and then further presses selects next lines one by one
  • CMD-, opens settings
  • CTRL-G go to line
  • CMD-[ CMD-] indent or unindent
  • CMD-K-X remove whitespace at the end of the line
  • CMD J shows the terminal
• Shortcuts that I don’t yet understand fully
  • CMD-G highlight search results and allows you to cycle through them
  • CMD-F searches within the current file, but not sure how to get rid of the find dialog as ESC does not work
• Issues
  • Often CMD-UP and CMD-DOWN stop working
  • CTRL-TAB does not change tabs
• What about vim mode? Does this give page up and down?
  • CTRL-U page up
  • CTRL-D page down
  • SHIFT-g and gg
  • Set CMD-OPT-V to toggle vim mode on and off
    • CMD-K-S and search for toggle vim

iPad Key Reference

• Command (or Cmd) ⌘
• Shift ⇧
• Option (or Alt) ⌥
• Control (or Ctrl) ⌃
• Caps Lock ⇪

User Settings

PyLint warnings you might want to disable:

• W0311 - Bad Indentation
• C0301 - Line too long

{
    "editor.minimap.enabled": false,
    "pylint.args": [
        "--disable=W0311",
        "--disable=C0301"
    ],
}