​
Login

After installing the VSCode extension, you should see a login notification appear in VSCode. If you miss it, you can initiate the login manually: Open the VSCode command palette (Shift + Command + P on Mac, Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows) and search for the BringYourAI: Login command. Ensure you log in using the same account associated with your subscription purchase. If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can get a subscription here.

Once logged in, the extension automatically configures itself upon launching VSCode and connects to the web extension.

Remote Development Limitation: BringYourAI only supports local workspaces. If you are using VSCode’s Remote Development features (like Remote SSH, Dev Containers, Codespaces, or WSL), the VSCode extension runs in the remote environment. However, it needs to connect locally to the web extension in your local browser. This direct local connection is not possible across separate environments.

​
Shortcuts

Utilize keyboard shortcuts to send context directly from VSCode to your AI chat’s input field. These shortcuts effectively trigger the options available in the web popover.

You can view and customize these shortcuts by navigating to File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts (or use Ctrl + K Ctrl + S on Windows / Command + K Command + S on Mac). Search for BringYourAI to find the relevant commands.

The BringYourAI: Send Selected Text shortcut is particularly useful. As you’ll likely be sending many code snippets, using this shortcut can significantly save time.

​
Settings

The VSCode extension has some settings you can change. Access it by navigating to File > Preferences > Settings (or use Ctrl + , on Windows / Command + , on Mac). Search for BringYourAI to locate its settings.

​
Rules for AI

Define custom rules here. These rules can be inserted into your AI chats via the web extension to guide the AI’s behavior and responses.

Rules can be set at the User (global), Workspace, or Folder level. Each scope is indicated in the web extension UI.

You can automatically include these rules in your chats by enabling the auto context feature in the web extension.

​
Custom Ignore Patterns

By default, BringYourAI ignores certain files and folders (e.g., they won’t appear in web extension searches or file trees). It also respects your existing .gitignore files.

Additionally, you can define custom ignore patterns here. This is useful for excluding folders that are irrelevant to the AI, potentially simplifying file trees or preventing issues with token count calculation in large directories. The syntax follows standard Git Ignore rules, explained here.

Similar to Rules, these patterns can be set at the User, Workspace, and Folder levels.

​
Favorite AI Chat Website

Set your preferred AI chat website here. You can then use the BringYourAI: Go to favorite AI chat website command (accessible via the command palette) to quickly open it directly from VSCode.