Hey HN,

Inspired by the classic "Compiling" XKCD comic (https://3d.xkcd.com/303/), I’ve built CodeAir (codeair.app) – an Android app and VS Code extension that turns your phone into a remote control for VS Code.

With CodeAir, you can:

- Control 800+ VS Code commands right from your phone. - Send text and image files directly into your workspace and even have the images transcribed using AI. So imagine taking a snapshot of a piece of code from a physical textbook and being directly able to run that inside VS Code. - Request screenshots from VS Code while AFK and get them delivered to your phone so you can monitor long builds or processes remotely when you're on a coffee break. - If you’ve got an OpenAI API key, you can even perform QnA over your transferred files and images.

I made this tool to help monitor long builds or tests when I’m AFK, but it’s useful for so much more! It’s super niche, but I hope some of you find it helpful.

Check it out at codeair.app and let me know what you think. Feedback is very welcome!

This is a cool project! However maybe we should just be on a break when on a coffee break?

I saw it as tool to monitor long running executions.

hehe, yeah, sometimes you should and sometimes you end up being a character like in the xkcd comic.

TIL 3d.xkcd.com exists.

I love HN for these moments - when you learn things that are orthogonal to the original post.

This sounds like it would give our InfoSec team heart palpitations over the potential data leaks and new attack vectors.

I am curious to hear more. Everything happens over local network, so unless the network is compromised, it shouldn't cause too much trouble? I am advising users against using this over something like airport wifi or something.

Are you going to release the source? As the github only has a Readme currently?

Why should they?

Because this has deep integration with potentially sensitive data?

Then don’t use it lol, they are under no obligation to share their code for someone else to steal

bad take. there is no point in posting it if we don't know if its safe to use. The world doesn't work on the "Trust me bro principle."

Okay fair enough. But as a developer it grinds my gears when I work hard on something and like a moth to flame I get asked to open source it (so others can copy my hard work)

It was a question. And the read me has a contributing section, so it's pretty logical to assume so. It is also incredibly niche as author says themselves; usually that means the more the better.

Thanks purple-leafy, I do share some similar concerns. There was only a recent case where a popular open source project was cloned and turned into a startup.

I am offering the Android app and extension for free. I'll be open sourcing the extension soon. I am hesitant to open source the Android app until I also get the iOS version out.

You people have issues reading? I just asked if you are going to as you have a repository. If you do not that's fine. jeeze.

sorry if my answer came off the wrong way, I just meant, yes I'll be releasing the source code for the VS Code extension.

I open sourced the extension code.

fine idea but looks like you forgot to push the source up to your github repo.

Thank you for checking on things, I am working on open sourcing the extension part of the project which should be available soon!

Eagerly waiting for the iOS app.

Thank you, I am working on it!

Nice! I'm using AnyDesk for both desktop and phone, and then can completely control my computer from my phone, not only vs code. Also for watching long processes.

anydesk etc. are good, but this app does a little more than monitoring. It's like a cross between anydesk use case and airdrop (like you can send files and images etc to your wokspace). And everything happens over your local network.

anydesk relies on a relay/third-party. this seems more like a direct connection (needs something like tailscale for remote access)

please, publish to openvsx.

phone app still has template code left in; react native?

Thank you so much for pointing these out! Yes, it's react native. And thanks to your comment, I am also working on getting my account setup on open vsx

If the thing you are waiting for is a command you can alternatively invoke your command as

   command && beep

It will beep one time once it finishes successfully.

Thank you, this is a TIL!!

Amazing job! I'm really looking forward to diving into the source code when (or if) you release it. Curious—are you using WebSockets or any other technology for real-time updates?

thank you! I'll release the code for the VSC Extension soon.

Just in case someone finds this - I had to rename and move the project to aircodum.com as an entity called 'codeair.in' tried to harass me, claiming they had a TradeMark (they really didnot) and I wanted to avoid drama.