Kite is an AI-powered programming assistant that helps you write code faster inside Visual Studio Code. Kite helps you write code faster by saving you keystrokes and showing you the right information at the right time.
- Kotlin is a hot programming language right now, and its eclipse of Java for Android mobile development might leave Visual Studio developers wondering how they can get in on the action.
- In my last How-To – Build and run a Kotlin/Native application with Visual Studio Code on macOS I showed you how to setup, build, and run your first Kotlin/Native application using the barebone Kotlin/Native compiler inside Visual Studio Code (VSC). With Gradle, all the previous steps can be automated in just a couple of easy steps. Moreover, with Gradle, it becomes also feasible to handle.
Kite works for all major programming languages: Python, Java, Go, PHP, C/C#/C++, Javascript, HTML/CSS, Typescript, React, Ruby, Scala, Kotlin, Bash, Vue and React.
Programming with Kotlin in Visual Studio Code Kotlin is all the rage now that it has been deemed a first-class programming language for developing Android apps. Actually, it's been raging all on its own for a while now, as evidenced by the Stack Overflow Trends chart below. You can install the 'Code Runner' extension (formulahendry.code-runner) in the vscode. The extension supports running files of a number of programming languages, including kotlin. After the installation, you'll have 'Run code' icon in the top right corner part of the vscode window.
Features
Completions Powered by Machine Learning
Kite’s code completions are powered by machine learning models trained on over 25 million open-source code files. Kite also runs locally. Your code is private and does not leave your machine.
Instant Code Documentation
Get instant documentation for the symbol underneath your cursor so you save time searching for Python docs (not yet available for JavaScript docs).
Visual Studio Kotlin
Requirements
- macOS 10.11+, Windows 7+ or Linux
- Visual Studio Code v1.28.0+
Use another editor? Check out Kite’s other editor integrations.
Installation
Installing the Kite Engine
The Kite Engine needs to be installed in order for the package to work properly. The package itselfprovides the frontend that interfaces with the Kite Engine, which performs all the code analysis and machine learning 100% locally on your computer (no code is sent to a cloud server).
macOS Instructions
- Download the installer and open the downloaded
.dmgfile. - Drag the Kite icon into the
Applicationsfolder. - Run
Kite.appto start the Kite Engine.
Windows Instructions
- Download the installer and run the downloaded
.exefile. - The installer should run the Kite Engine automatically after installation is complete.
Linux Instructions
- Visit https://kite.com/linux/ to install Kite.
- The installer should run the Kite Engine automatically after installation is complete.
Installing the Kite Plugin for Visual Studio Code
When running the Kite Engine for the first time, you'll be guided through a setup process which will allow you to installthe VS Code extension. You can also install or uninstall the VS Code extension at any time using the Kite Engine's pluginmanager.
Alternatively, you have 2 options to manually install the package:
- Search for 'Kite' in VS Code's built-in extension marketplace and install from there.
- Run the command
code --install-extension kiteco.kitein your terminal.
Usage
The following is a brief guide to using Kite in its default configuration.
Autocompletions
Simply start typing in a saved Python or JavaScript file and Kite will automatically suggest completions for what you're typing. Kite's autocompletions are all labeled with the ⟠ symbol.
Hover (Python only)
Hover your mouse cursor over a symbol to view a short summary of what the symbol represents.
Documentation (Python only)
Click on the Docs link in the hover popup to open the documentation for the symbol inside the Copilot, Kite's standalonereference tool.
Definitions (Python only)
If a Def link is available in the hover popup, clicking on it will jump to the definition of the symbol.
Function Signatures (Python only)
When you call a function, Kite will show you the arguments required to call it. Kite's function signatures are also alllabeled with the ⟠ symbol.
Note: If you have the Microsoft Python extension installed, Kite will not be able to show you information onfunction signatures.
Commands
Kite comes with sevaral commands that you can run from VS Code's command palette.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
kite.related-code-from-file | Search for code related to the current file in the Copilot |
kite.related-code-from-line | Search for code related to the current line in the Copilot |
kite.open-copilot | Open the Copilot |
kite.docs-at-cursor | Show documentation of the symbol underneath your cursor in the Copilot |
kite.engine-settings | Open the settings for the Kite Engine |
kite.python-tutorial | Open the Kite Python tutorial file |
kite.javascript-tutorial | Open the Kite JavaScript tutorial file |
kite.go-tutorial | Open the Kite Go tutorial file |
kite.help | Open Kite's help website in the browser |
Troubleshooting
Visit our help docs for FAQs and troubleshooting support.
Happy coding!
About Kite
Visual Studio Beginners Guide
Visual Studio Code Spring Boot Kotlin
Kite is built by a team in San Francisco devoted to making programming easier and more enjoyable for all. Follow Kite onTwitter and get the latest news and programming tips on theKite Blog.Kite has been featured in Wired,VentureBeat,The Next Web, andTechCrunch.