You're doing the correct thing by using the online chat to ask questions about programming issues from ChatGPT. But exiting and entering VS Code repeatedly seems to cause distractions. In any task, keep in mind that every millisecond counts.
The good news is that VS Code already has a ChatGPT extension that allows you to ask ChatGPT anything. ChatGPT includes a wide variety of coding use cases, including unit testing, debugging, documentation, code explanation, and code generation.
The best ChatGPT extensions for VS Code right now are listed below.
1. ChatGPT - EasyCode
An easily accessible AI assistant that supports ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 with the ability to switch between them is the ChatGPT extension by EasyCode. Since no additional configurations, such as the integration of an OpenAI API key, are needed, it is simple to set up. But, there is an opportunity to add your API key for more extensive use if your OpenAI account includes premium capabilities from GPT-4.
Although ChatGPT's creator advises signing up or logging in after installation, you can use ChatGPT without doing so. You may ask ChatGPT questions about specific sections of your code while asking for help or you can let it scan your entire codebase for more extensive uses.
In the event that your initial query requires more clarification, the EasyCode ChatGPT addon now offers a follow-up option. It has built-in single-click prompts for quick response generation in addition to inline code autocompletion.
2. CodeGPT by Tim Kmecl
Tim Kmcel's CodeGPT addon leverages ChatGPT-3 models. It might therefore be less inventive than other extensions that make advantage of GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. It has integrated prompts that produce answers with a single click. In the chat box, you can even create your own instructions if you need something more specific.
Even though it includes a variety of GPT-3 models, such as ChatGPT, text-curie-001, text-davinci-003, and code-davinci-002, only text-davinci-003 is the standard model that is compatible with the extension. If the extension throws an issue, you might want to check your model choice and change it to text-davinci-003 in the extension settings.
An OpenAI API key is needed for this extension, which you may provide in the settings menu after installation. If your free OpenAI credit has run out, the extension might not succeed.
3. Code GPT
A wider range of AI services are provided by Code GPT. Although OpenAI is the primary AI option, it also offers ChatGPT substitutes like Cohere, AI21, and Anthropic. So it also supports a wide range of additional AI models in addition to GPT-3.5 and GPT-4.
Your OpenAI API key, which you can create with a built-in command, is necessary for the Code GPT addon. To utilise the service, make sure you have enough free credit or a premium plan. The ability of Code GPT to insert generated code into a usable code file (in the target programming language) using prompts from code comments is a useful feature.
It has both built-in and personalised prompts. The fact that it only permits a maximum of 800 tokens per request is a minor drawback. As a result, it requires less text than some other suppliers.
4. ChatGPT Helper
If you merely need an AI assistance to swiftly handle coding issues, you can add the ChatGPT Helper VS Code plugin to the programme. This extension is simple to use and only intended for a small selection of built-in prompts.
GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 are both supported by the ChatGPT Helper extension, and switching between them is possible. You are prompted to set an OpenAI API key as soon as you send your first prompt after installation because it is necessary.
However, it lacks a chat capability in contrast to other ChatGPT extensions. However, the command palette in VS Code allows you to send unique prompts. It records responses in distinct text files so you may save quick responses for later.
5. ChatGPT by Genie AI
With built-in prompts and a more approachable UI, the ChatGPT addon from Genie AI looks better. GPT-3, GPT-3.5, and GPT-4 are supported. And, like many other ChatGPT extensions stated above, an OpenAI API key is needed.
You can choose between a precise, balanced, or creative reaction, and you can select several precision temperatures that are matched to your needs. You can use ChatGPT via the Genei AI VS Code extension's chat box to send more detailed questions in addition to the built-in prompts.
You don't have to copy-paste the generated code when using the extension to generate it. You can utilise the output directly in your codebase because it automatically writes responses in the appropriate code files. Additionally, you can locally save your talks.
6. ChatGPT VS Code Plugin by Jay Barnes
The Jay Barnes-created ChatGPT VS Code addon is helpful if you wish to utilise ChatGPT without paying. Instead of using your OpenAI API key, it functions on a different level and needs your ChatGPT web session token and user agent. Since it expands your ability to communicate with ChatGPT online, it is always free.
Even though you may use ChatGPT for free with VS Code, setting it up requires technical skill and can occasionally fail. You'll also frequently refresh your access tokens because they expire along with your ChatGPT online session.
It has built-in prompts and allows custom ones via the chat menu, similar to other ChatGPT extensions. Overall, we wouldn't have included this extension on our list of the top ChatGPT extensions for VS Code. However, it is free and can come in handy once you use all your free credit. Be cautious to avoid having your session hacked, though.
Use ChatGPT Productively in VS Code
We now use ChatGPT and other generative AI models on a daily basis. They are here to stay, whether we like them or not. If you use these AI technologies wisely, they will only serve as a help rather than a danger.
Programming with any of these ChatGPT extensions doesn't ensure a trouble-free run. To solve programming challenges, you'll still require a combination of these AI tools, human input, and some knowledge of internet search techniques. For a more hands-on understanding of how these extensions function, you might want to check out how to utilise ChatGPT in VS Code.
