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Overview

The official DevCPC VS Code extension provides seamless integration with Visual Studio Code, allowing you to build, run, and manage Amstrad CPC projects directly from your editor.

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Features

  • ✅ Task Explorer - Visualize all DevCPC commands in the sidebar
  • ✅ One-Click Execution - Run any command with a single click
  • ✅ Auto-Refresh - Automatically detects configuration changes
  • ✅ Native Integration - Uses VS Code’s built-in terminal and task system
  • ✅ Project Detection - Automatically recognizes DevCPC projects

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Installation

Install directly from VS Code:
1

Open Extensions

Press ⇧⌘X (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) to open the Extensions view.
2

Search

Search for “DevCPC Tasks” in the marketplace.
3

Install

Click Install to add the extension.

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Usage

1

Open a DevCPC project

Open any folder containing a devcpc.conf file in VS Code.
2

Access the DevCPC view

The DevCPC panel appears in the Explorer sidebar, showing all available tasks:
  • 🆕 New Project
  • 🔨 Build
  • 🧹 Clean
  • ▶️ Run
  • ℹ️ Info
  • ✅ Validate
  • 🔄 Update
  • 📄 Version
  • ❓ Help
3

Click to execute

Click any task to run it in the integrated terminal.
4

Refresh when needed

Click the refresh button to update the task list after modifying devcpc.conf.

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Task Descriptions

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Build Tasks

Compiles your entire project:
  • Converts sprites and screens
  • Compiles ASM, BASIC, and C code
  • Generates DSK/CDT/CPR images
  • Validates memory limits
Removes generated files:
  • Deletes obj/ directory
  • Deletes dist/ directory
  • Removes backup files

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Testing Tasks

Launches your game in the configured emulator:
  • Auto-detects DSK or CDT mode
  • Closes previous emulator sessions
  • Supports --dsk and --cdt flags
Pre-build validation:
  • Checks configuration
  • Verifies paths exist
  • Validates tool availability

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Project Management

Creates a new DevCPC project with template selection.
Displays project configuration and settings.

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Maintenance Tasks

Updates DevCPC to the latest version from GitHub.
Shows current DevCPC version and checks for updates.

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Keyboard Shortcuts

Create custom keyboard shortcuts for DevCPC tasks:
settings.json
{
  "keybindings": [
    {
      "key": "ctrl+shift+b",
      "command": "workbench.action.tasks.runTask",
      "args": "DevCPC: Build"
    },
    {
      "key": "ctrl+shift+r",
      "command": "workbench.action.tasks.runTask",
      "args": "DevCPC: Run"
    }
  ]
}

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Configuration

The extension uses your project’s devcpc.conf and doesn’t require additional VS Code settings.

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Optional Settings

Customize behavior in VS Code settings:
settings.json
{
  "devcpc.autoRefresh": true,
  "devcpc.showNotifications": true,
  "terminal.integrated.scrollback": 5000
}

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Troubleshooting

Make sure:
  • You’ve opened a folder containing devcpc.conf
  • DevCPC is installed and in your PATH
  • Click the refresh button in the DevCPC panel
Reload VS Code after installing DevCPC:
Cmd+Shift+P → "Developer: Reload Window"
Increase terminal scrollback:
"terminal.integrated.scrollback": 10000

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Development

The extension is open source:

Custom Workflows

Extend DevCPC with custom scripts

CLI Reference

Full command-line reference

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