Code Rabbit VS Code Extension: Real-Time Code Review

CodeRabbit VS Code Extension: Real-Time Code Review During Development

CodeRabbit has just released an exciting new VS Code extension that brings AI-powered code review directly into your development workflow. Previously known for reviewing pull requests through their GitHub app, CodeRabbit now offers real-time code analysis as you develop.

What is CodeRabbit's VS Code Extension?

The CodeRabbit VS Code extension performs automated code reviews during development itself, rather than waiting until you create a pull request. This means you can catch potential issues, security vulnerabilities, and best practice violations early in your coding process.

 Getting Started

 Installation

1. Open VS Code and go to the Extensions marketplace

2. Search for "CodeRabbit"

3. Install the extension

4. You'll see the CodeRabbit icon in your sidebar

Setup

When you first install the extension, you'll need to:

- Sign in using your GitHub account

- The extension will display a panel for code review functionality

How It Works

CodeRabbit's extension is **git-dependent** and works with git branches.

 Here's the workflow:

 Prerequisites

- Your project must have git initialized

- You need to work with separate git branches (the extension compares changes between branches)

 Workflow Example

1. **Start from main branch**: Begin your work on the main branch

2. **Create a feature branch**: 

   ```bash

   git checkout -b test-branch

   ```

3. **Make your changes**: Edit your code in the feature branch

4. **Review changes**: CodeRabbit will analyze the differences between your feature branch and main branch

Real-World Example: Adding Local Storage to a Todo App

Let's walk through a practical example using a Next.js todo application:

 The Challenge

The original todo app fetched data from a URL, but todos would disappear after page refresh. The goal was to implement local storage functionality.

The Solution

Using GitHub Copilot (with Claude Sonnet 4), I added local storage functionality with this prompt:

> "Please add a feature to store the todos inside local storage so that even after visiting later, it stays"

 CodeRabbit's Review Results

After implementing the changes, CodeRabbit identified:

- **3 refactor suggestions**

- **1 potential issue**: Missing dependency in useEffect hook

The specific issue was that the `useEffect` hook was missing a dependency in its dependency array, which could lead to stale closures or unexpected behavior.

 Key Benefits

 1. **Early Detection**

Catch issues during development rather than after creating pull requests.

2. **Best Practice Enforcement**

The AI identifies areas where your code doesn't follow established best practices.

3. **Security Analysis**

Potential security vulnerabilities are flagged before they make it to production.

4. **Seamless Integration**

CodeRabbit integrates with GitHub Copilot, automatically providing context for suggested fixes.

 Integration with GitHub Copilot

One of the standout features is how CodeRabbit works with GitHub Copilot:

- When CodeRabbit identifies an issue, you can click on the suggestion

- This automatically feeds the context into GitHub Copilot

- Copilot then provides the actual code fix based on CodeRabbit's analysis

 Requirements and Limitations

 Requirements

- Git must be installed and initialized in your project

- You must work with git branches (changes are compared between branches)

- GitHub account for authentication

 Current Status

- **Free to use** (as of the time of this review)

- Requires VS Code as the development environment

 Should You Try It?

CodeRabbit's VS Code extension offers significant value for developers who want to improve code quality during the development process. The combination of real-time analysis, AI-powered suggestions, and seamless integration with existing tools like GitHub Copilot makes it a compelling addition to any developer's toolkit.

The fact that it's currently free makes it an easy decision to try out, especially if you're already using git branches in your workflow.

Getting Started Today

To start using CodeRabbit's VS Code extension:

1. Install the extension from the VS Code marketplace

2. Sign in with your GitHub account

3. Ensure your project has git initialized

4. Create a feature branch for your work

5. Start coding and let CodeRabbit review your changes in real-time

The extension represents a shift toward proactive code quality management, helping developers catch and fix issues before they become problems in production.