# vscode-cairo

**Repository Path**: mirrors_software-mansion/vscode-cairo

## Basic Information

- **Project Name**: vscode-cairo
- **Description**: Cairo language support for Visual Studio Code.
- **Primary Language**: Unknown
- **License**: Apache-2.0
- **Default Branch**: main
- **Homepage**: None
- **GVP Project**: No

## Statistics

- **Stars**: 0
- **Forks**: 0
- **Created**: 2024-11-28
- **Last Updated**: 2026-03-22

## Categories & Tags

**Categories**: Uncategorized

**Tags**: None

## README

# Cairo for Visual Studio Code

This extension provides support for the [Cairo programming language][cairo].
Cairo is the first Turing-complete language for creating provable programs for general computation.

**[Cairo Language Server](https://docs.swmansion.com/cairols/) is alpha-grade software.
Things are moving rapidly.
Expect bugs and crashes from time to time.**

## Features

- code completion with imports insertion
- automatic, incremental analysis
- diagnostic reporting of build warnings and errors
- go to definition
- semantic syntax highlighting
- documentation lookup on hover
- function signature provider
- code formatter
- supports [Scarb], the Cairo package manager
- can be configured to use [Dojo Engine]-specific tooling

## Quick start

Gm! 👋

Whether you are new to Cairo or an experienced Cairo Pharaoh,
we hope you will find this extension fitting your needs and making your Cairo development experience
more enjoyable.

1. Install latest [Scarb][scarb-dl], preferably via [asdf][scarb-asdf].
2. Install the [VS Code Cairo extension][vscode-marketplace].
3. Open a workspace containing Scarb.toml or just open any Cairo file to automatically activate the
   extension.
4. The extension depends on the Cairo Language Server, which comes bundled with Scarb.
   The version of Scarb used in the workspace determines the version of Cairo and Cairo Language
   Server used by the extension.

Happy coding!

## Configuration

This extension can be configured through VS Code's configuration settings.
All settings are under the `cairo1.*` section.
Consult the settings UI in VS Code for more documentation.

## Support

For questions or inquiries about Cairo, Cairo Language Server and this extension, reach out to us
on [Telegram] or [Discord].

## Language Server Binary Discovery

Commonly, the Cairo Language Server is distributed with Scarb and can be accessed using the `scarb cairo-language-server` command. However, settings are available to use a standalone binary.

### Configuration-specified Path

First, the extension checks if a path to the Language Server binary has been explicitly specified in the configuration settings under `cairo1.languageServerPath`.
If a path is specified, the extension attempts to use the binary at this location, unless the `cairo1.preferScarbLanguageServer` setting is set to `true`.
It will _not_ fall back to other methods if this path is incorrect!

### Scarb Binary Discovery

If `cairo1.languageServerPath` is unset (default), the extension then searches for the Scarb binary in the `cairo1.scarbPath` setting.
It will _not_ fall back to other methods if this path is incorrect!
If `cairo1.scarbPath` is unset, then it searches in your system’s `PATH` environment variable.

### Scarb Discovery via ASDF

> **Note**
> There is no `asdf` for Windows, so this step will not occur there.

> **Warning**
> You should **not** rely on this behavior; use configuration or the `PATH` environment variable instead!

Should the search in `PATH` fail, the extension employs a more involved logic to locate the `asdf` version manager tool on your machine. This step accounts for instances where Scarb is installed via `asdf` but `asdf` is not available in the system `PATH`.
The extension attempts to execute `asdf` directly to determine the installed path of Scarb and to use the associated Language Server binary.

## Troubleshooting

If you run into issues with the extension, try these debugging steps:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of the extension installed.
2. Make sure you have the latest version of Scarb installed.
3. Make sure the problem is also not appearing while running `scarb build`.
4. Try the latest nightly release of Scarb to verify the bug is not fixed yet.
   This is simple to do with asdf:
   ```sh
   asdf install scarb latest:nightly
   asdf local scarb latest:nightly
   ```
   And restart VS Code.
5. Check out debug logs for hints on what could go wrong.

In normal operation mode, both this extension and Cairo Language Server are pretty silent in their
logs.
Logs are emitted to the _Output_ panel in VS Code.

You can enable debug logging to learn more about what's going on.
By default, the extension is trying to start the language server with the same logging level as the
extension is running itself.
To change the logging level, do the following:

1. Open the Command Palette (`F1` or `Ctrl+Shift+P`).
2. Run the `>Developer: Set Log Level...` command
3. Find the `Cairo` extension on the list.
4. Choose the `Debug` level.
5. Restart VS Code, by running the `>Developer: Reload Window` command.

When sending logs to developers to debug,
please include full logs from both the extension and the language server.
If you feel brave enough, you can try some of the more advanced debugging techniques described in
[CairoLS contribution guidelines][debugging].

## Submitting bugs/issues

If you have a problem that you think should be fixed, please follow the steps below:

1. Submit [a new bug report][new-bug]
2. Fill out the issue template
3. Attach all relevant screenshots, logs with trace (obtained with steps in [Troubleshooting])
4. Remember to provide as much information as possible.
   The issue form will guide you through the process.

[cairo]: https://www.cairo-lang.org/
[new-bug]: https://github.com/software-mansion/vscode-cairo/issues/new?assignees=&labels=bug&projects=&template=bug_report.yml
[debugging]: https://github.com/software-mansion/cairols/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#debugging
[discord]: https://discord.gg/QypNMzkHbc
[dojo engine]: https://book.dojoengine.org/
[scarb]: https://docs.swmansion.com/scarb
[scarb-asdf]: https://docs.swmansion.com/scarb/download.html#install-via-asdf
[scarb-dl]: https://docs.swmansion.com/scarb/download.html
[telegram]: https://t.me/cairo_ls_support
[troubleshooting]: #troubleshooting
[vscode-marketplace]: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=starkware.cairo1