VS Code extension

[darval]

Hi Alex, I started using your plugin last week and was happy to see how it works.
However I normally use Claude Code in the VS Code plugin. I tried using the CLI and I have too many scrolling problems to keep using it so I went back to VS Code.

Unfortunately that makes it harder to interact with the token optimizer - well, actually what is harder to see my status (what I used to see in the status line in the CLI). So this isn’t really an issue, other than a wishlist maybe. ;) Is there an easy way to use this with VS Code, and if not, is it something that could be added at some point?

[alexgreensh]

Hey Darval, thank you for the feedback! :)
VS Code version is a good idea, I'll explore what's possible!

[alexgreensh]

Hey Darval! Good news: most of Token Optimizer already works in VS Code, you just can't see it inline yet.

What is already running in your VS Code sessions:

• Smart Compaction (checkpoint + restore before auto-compact)
• Quality tracking and session data collection
• All hooks (SessionEnd, PreCompact, etc.)

The data is being collected, you are just missing the visibility part.

Best options right now:

1. Dashboard - bookmark http://localhost:24842/ for always-current analytics. Set it up with: python3 measure.py setup-daemon. It auto-refreshes after every session and shows everything: context %, quality score, per-turn cost, trends.

2. Integrated terminal - run claude in VS Code built-in terminal (Terminal > New Terminal) to get the full CLI experience, including the quality bar in the status line.

Why the status line does not show in the VS Code extension:

The statusLine setting is a Claude Code CLI feature that the VS Code extension does not support. This is a Claude Code limitation, not ours.

What is coming:

A dedicated VS Code extension is on the roadmap. I have added a VS Code section to the README in v2.6.3 (shipping today) and this issue will track the extension work.

Thanks for the feedback, this is exactly the kind of thing that helps prioritize!

[darval]

Oh I didn’t think the problem was your plugin, but I do miss seeing the compaction and quality indicators when using VS Code. I do bounce back and forth with the CLI but the scroll problem drives me crazy enough I keep going back to the VS code extension.

I look forward to the extension when you have it.