https://github.com/couimet/rangelink
RangeLink - Share Code Across Editors & Tools
https://github.com/couimet/rangelink
ai-tools claude-code code-navigation code-reference code-sharing collaboration cursor developer-tools documentation github productivity typescript vscode-extension
Last synced: about 1 month ago
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RangeLink - Share Code Across Editors & Tools
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/couimet/rangelink
- Owner: couimet
- License: mit
- Created: 2025-10-28T10:35:11.000Z (7 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-11-08T01:31:52.000Z (7 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-11-08T03:28:06.217Z (7 months ago)
- Topics: ai-tools, claude-code, code-navigation, code-reference, code-sharing, collaboration, cursor, developer-tools, documentation, github, productivity, typescript, vscode-extension
- Language: TypeScript
- Homepage:
- Size: 26 MB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Changelog: CHANGELOG.md
- Contributing: CONTRIBUTING.md
- License: LICENSE
- Roadmap: docs/ROADMAP.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# RangeLink
[](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=couimet.rangelink-vscode-extension)
[](https://open-vsx.org/extension/couimet/rangelink-vscode-extension)
[](./LICENSE)
**"Claude Code today. Cursor AI tomorrow. Different shortcuts, different muscle memory."**
**RangeLink ends it.** One keybinding. Any AI, any tool. Character-level precision. `recipes/baking/chickenpie.ts#L3C14-L314C16`
> [!IMPORTANT]
> Some features documented below are marked Unreleased — they are on `main` but not yet in a published release.
---
## Why RangeLink?
Every AI coding assistant has its own way to share code — different shortcuts, different formats, different muscle memory. If you use multiple AI tools, you're constantly context-switching.
**RangeLink unifies it:**
- **One keybinding** — `Cmd+R Cmd+L` works with Claude Code, Cursor AI, Copilot, terminal tools, text editors. Learn once, use everywhere.
- **Better precision** — Character-level ranges, not just lines. Share exactly what matters.
- **Universal format** — GitHub-style links work in PRs, Slack, docs. Not proprietary.
- **AI-agnostic** — Your workflow doesn't change when you switch AI assistants.
---
## Quick Install
**VS Code:**
[📦 Install from VS Code Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=couimet.rangelink-vscode-extension)
**Cursor:**
[📦 Install from Open VSX Registry](https://open-vsx.org/extension/couimet/rangelink-vscode-extension)
Or search for **"RangeLink"** in your editor's Extensions panel (`Cmd+Shift+X` / `Ctrl+Shift+X`)
---
## Try It
1. **Bind a destination** (optional but recommended): Command Palette → "Bind RangeLink to..." (Claude Code, Cursor AI, Copilot Chat, Terminal, or Text Editor)
2. **Select some code** in your editor
3. **Generate link**: Command Palette → "Copy Range Link" (or `Cmd+R Cmd+L` / `Ctrl+R Ctrl+L` if no keybinding conflicts)
4. **Done!** Link auto-pastes to your bound destination, or copies to clipboard if no destination bound
**Example output:**
```text
recipes/baking/chickenpie.ts#L3C14-L314C16
```
**Tip:** If `Cmd+R Cmd+L` doesn't work, another extension may have claimed that keybinding. Use Command Palette as the reliable fallback.
---
## Features at a Glance
| Feature | Description |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Destinations** | Auto-send links to Claude Code, Cursor AI, Copilot Chat, Terminal, Text Editor, or any custom AI assistant Unreleased |
| **Link Navigation** | Cmd+Click any RangeLink in terminal or editor to jump directly to code |
| **Character Precision** | `#L3C14-L314C16` — not just lines, exact character ranges |
| **Portable Links (BYOD)** | Links work regardless of recipient's delimiter configuration |
| **R-Keybinding Family** | R-L (link), R-C (clipboard), R-V (paste text), R-J (jump to destination) |
**📖 [Full Feature Guide →](./packages/rangelink-vscode-extension/#readme)**
---
## Perfect For
- 🤖 **AI Assistants** — Claude Code, Cursor AI, GitHub Copilot, plus any custom AI tool via settings Unreleased — with exact context
- 💬 **Code Reviews** — "The bug is in `api/routes.ts#L215C8-L223C45`" (click to view)
- 👥 **Team Collaboration** — Universal format everyone can use and navigate
- 📝 **Documentation** — Precise references in docs, Slack, PRs, anywhere
---
## Documentation
### For Users
- **[Extension README](./packages/rangelink-vscode-extension/#readme)** — Full feature guide, commands, configuration
- **[Link Formats](./docs/LINK-FORMATS.md)** — Complete notation reference
- **[BYOD Guide](./docs/BYOD.md)** — Portable links specification
### For Contributors
- **[Development Guide](./DEVELOPMENT.md)** — Setup, building, testing
- **[Contributing Guide](./CONTRIBUTING.md)** — How to contribute
- **[Architecture](./docs/ARCHITECTURE.md)** — Design principles and patterns
- **[Open Issues](https://github.com/couimet/rangeLink/issues)** — Planned features and enhancement requests
---
## Monorepo Structure
RangeLink is organized as a pnpm workspace with a platform-agnostic core library and editor-specific extensions. The core has zero dependencies and targets 100% test coverage.
**[📁 See packages/ for details →](./packages/#readme)**
---
## History
Even though I use Cursor daily, most of my AI work happens with `claude-code` running in a terminal _inside_ Cursor. The constant copy-pasting between terminal and editor was exhausting.
One day, frustrated after the hundredth copy-paste, I tried something: I sent claude-code a link like `recipes/baking/chickenpie.ts#L3C14-L314C16` pointing to a specific code snippet.
**It just worked.** No explanation needed. Claude understood immediately.
That was the lightbulb moment: **precise code references should be universal**. Not just for AI assistants, but for code reviews, documentation, team collaboration — anywhere developers share code.
I built the VS Code extension first, then extracted a platform-agnostic core library. The goal: make this work _everywhere_, for _everyone_.
Today, with **destinations**, RangeLink sends links directly where you need them — Claude Code, Cursor AI, GitHub Copilot Chat, terminals, text editors, or custom AI tools Unreleased. No more copy-paste friction. It helps developers share code with precision across any AI assistant, VSCode, Cursor, GitHub, Slack, and more. One format, zero friction.
**The best part?** Your teammates don't even need RangeLink installed to understand your links. The notation is GitHub-inspired — developers already know it.
🕰️ The Original POC (Memorabilia)
Before RangeLink became what it is today, it started as a rough-and-ready VS Code extension with just two files. Here's where it all began:
**package.json:**
```json
{
"name": "copy-reference",
"displayName": "Copy GitHub Reference",
"description": "Copy GitHub-style file references with line and column numbers",
"version": "0.1.0",
"publisher": "local",
"engines": {
"vscode": "^1.74.0"
},
"categories": ["Other"],
"main": "./extension.js",
"activationEvents": [],
"contributes": {
"commands": [
{
"command": "copyReference.copy",
"title": "Copy GitHub-style Reference",
"category": "Copy"
}
],
"keybindings": [
{
"command": "copyReference.copy",
"key": "cmd+shift+l",
"mac": "cmd+shift+l",
"win": "ctrl+shift+l",
"linux": "ctrl+shift+l",
"when": "editorTextFocus"
}
],
"menus": {
"editor/context": [
{
"when": "editorTextFocus",
"command": "copyReference.copy",
"group": "9_cutcopypaste@4"
}
]
}
}
}
```
**extension.js:**
```javascript
const vscode = require('vscode');
function activate(context) {
let disposable = vscode.commands.registerCommand('copyReference.copy', () => {
const editor = vscode.window.activeTextEditor;
if (!editor) {
vscode.window.showErrorMessage('No active editor');
return;
}
const selection = editor.selection;
const document = editor.document;
const workspaceFolder = vscode.workspace.getWorkspaceFolder(document.uri);
// Get relative path from workspace root
const relativePath = workspaceFolder
? document.uri.path.substring(workspaceFolder.uri.path.length + 1)
: vscode.workspace.asRelativeUri(document.uri).path;
const startLine = selection.start.line + 1;
const startChar = selection.start.character + 1;
const endLine = selection.end.line + 1;
const endChar = selection.end.character + 1;
// Format: path/to/file.rb#L1C1-L2C10
let reference;
if (selection.isEmpty) {
// Just cursor position, no selection
reference = `${relativePath}:${startLine}`;
} else if (startLine === endLine && startChar === 1 && endChar > startChar) {
// Full line selection - use simple format
reference = `${relativePath}:${startLine}`;
} else if (startLine === endLine) {
// Single line selection with specific columns
reference = `${relativePath}#L${startLine}C${startChar}-L${endLine}C${endChar}`;
} else {
// Multi-line selection
reference = `${relativePath}#L${startLine}C${startChar}-L${endLine}C${endChar}`;
}
vscode.env.clipboard.writeText(reference);
// Show a subtle notification
vscode.window.setStatusBarMessage(`📋 Copied: ${reference}`, 3000);
// Optional: Also show as information message (can be disabled if too intrusive)
// vscode.window.showInformationMessage(`Copied: ${reference}`);
});
context.subscriptions.push(disposable);
}
function deactivate() {}
module.exports = {
activate,
deactivate,
};
```
From this humble beginning, RangeLink evolved into a comprehensive monorepo with a platform-agnostic core library, comprehensive testing, structured error handling, portable BYOD links, and support for advanced features like rectangular selections.
---
## About the Logo
Ever notice the chicken in our logo? That's not just any chicken — it's a **free-range** chicken. Because your code should roam free across editors, tools, and teams. No fences, no boundaries. 🐔
The chains? Those represent links — connections between developers, tools, and ideas. Collaboration without constraints.
And here's the nerdy part: look closely at the numbers. You'll see **3.1416** instead of just 3.14. Because when you're sharing code references, **precision matters**. RangeLink shares exact ranges — period.
> [!TIP]
> **π Dad Joke:** Pi is irrational, and so are developers who don't use precise code references. At least Pi has an excuse.
---
## Links
- 📦 [VS Code Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=couimet.rangelink-vscode-extension)
- 📦 [Open VSX Registry](https://open-vsx.org/extension/couimet/rangelink-vscode-extension)
- 💎 [Core Library](./packages/rangelink-core-ts)
- 🐛 [Report Issues](https://github.com/couimet/rangelink/issues)
- 📚 [Full Documentation](./docs/)
---
## License
MIT — see [LICENSE](./LICENSE) file for details.
---
Made with ❤️ for developers who love precision