local-development-setup

Local Setup & Development

Developer Information Only

This section is for developers contributing to Roo Code or those who wish to build and run the extension from source.

To set up Roo Code for local development:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/RooCodeInc/Roo-Code.git
   cd Roo-Code

2. Install dependencies: Roo Code uses pnpm for package management.

   pnpm install

3. Run the extension for development: You have two primary methods:

   • Directly in VS Code (Recommended for active development):

     • Open the cloned Roo-Code folder in VS Code.
     • Press F5 (or select Run → Start Debugging from the menu). This opens a new VS Code window (Extension Development Host) with Roo Code running.
     • Changes to the webview code (under webview-ui/) will often update live.
     • Changes to the core extension code (under src/) typically require restarting the Extension Development Host window.

   • Building and Installing a VSIX package: This method is useful for testing the packaged extension or distributing development builds.

     1. Build the VSIX file:

        pnpm vsix

        A .vsix file (e.g., roo-cline-<version>.vsix) will be created in the bin/ directory.

     2. Install the VSIX in VS Code:

        • Using the command line:

          code --install-extension bin/roo-cline-<version>.vsix

          (Replace <version> with the actual version number in the filename).

        • Using the VS Code interface:

          • Open the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X).
          • Click the "..." (More Actions) menu in the Extensions view sidebar.
          • Select "Install from VSIX..."
          • Browse to and select the generated .vsix file from the bin/ directory.
          

          Installing a development VSIX using VS Code's "Install from VSIX..." dialog.