Visual Studio Code v1.94 Changelog

This update is all about speed and making your AI coding assistant smarter. It matters to anyone who writes code—whether you're building a small school project or a huge app—because it saves you time searching for files, fixing bugs, and setting up tests.

What's new

• Smarter Copilot Models: You can now switch between different AI "brains" (like OpenAI's o1) in Copilot Chat. The inline chat (where you ask for help right inside your code) has been upgraded to GPT-4o, meaning you get faster and more accurate coding help.
• Better Chat Context: You can now drag and drop files directly into the chat to give the AI exactly what it needs to know. If you're working in a Python notebook, you can even attach specific variables (data stored in memory) so the AI gives you answers that actually make sense for your project.
• Run Code Instantly: When Copilot writes code for you in a notebook, you can now accept it and run it immediately without extra clicks.
• AI Test Setup (Experimental): Setting up tests (code that checks if your other code works) can be annoying. A new /setupTests command can look at your project, recommend a testing tool, and set it all up for you.
• AI Test Fixer (Preview): When a test fails, a new /fixTestFailure command helps figure out why it broke and how to fix it.
• AI Debugging (Experimental): A new /startDebugging command helps you quickly set up the tools needed to find and fix errors in your running app.
• AI Semantic Search (Preview): Normally, searching your project looks for exact words. This new search uses AI to look for the *meaning* behind your search, helping you find what you need even if you don't know the exact wording.
• Account Preferences: If you use multiple accounts (like a school account and a personal account), you can now tell specific extensions which one to use.

Improvements

• Faster Startup: The editor now uses a system called ESM (ECMAScript Modules) to load much faster when you open it.
• File Search: Finding files in the Explorer sidebar is much smoother and quicker.
• Source Control Graph: The tool that shows your project's history (who changed what and when) is more interactive and easier to filter.
• Python Test Coverage: When you run Python tests, the editor now gives you a rich, visual report showing exactly which lines of your code were actually tested and which were skipped.
• Chat History: When you attach a file to a chat question, the AI now remembers that file for follow-up questions, so you don't have to keep re-attaching it.
• Chat Links: When the AI mentions a file name in its answer, it now looks like a clickable button with an icon. You can click it to open the file, or drag it around your screen.
• Python Native REPL: The interactive Python window (REPL) now supports Copilot auto-complete and inline chat right where you type.

Fixes

• This release includes important security updates and fixes for various bugs to keep the editor running safely and smoothly. (Specific bugs were not detailed, but the update ensures a more stable experience).

Breaking changes

No breaking changes in this release.