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Frequently Asked Questions

This page answers some common questions about AI Cockpit Reasoning.

General​

What is AI Cockpit Reasoning?​

AI Cockpit Reasoning is an open-source AI agent extension for Visual Studio Code. It helps you write code more efficiently by generating code, automating tasks, and providing suggestions.

How does AI Cockpit Reasoning work?​

AI Cockpit Reasoning uses large language models (LLMs) to understand your requests and translate them into actions. It can:

  • Read and write files in your project.
  • Execute commands in your VS Code terminal.
  • Perform web browsing (if enabled).
  • Use external tools via the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

You interact with AI Cockpit Reasoning through a chat interface, where you provide instructions and review/approve its proposed actions.

What can AI Cockpit Reasoning do?​

AI Cockpit Reasoning can help with a variety of coding tasks, including:

  • Generating code from natural language descriptions.
  • Refactoring existing code.
  • Fixing bugs.
  • Writing documentation.
  • Explaining code.
  • Answering questions about your codebase.
  • Automating repetitive tasks.
  • Creating new files and projects.

Is AI Cockpit Reasoning free to use?​

The AI Cockpit Reasoning extension itself is free and open-source. In addition, AI Cockpit Reasoning has a free tier with $20 worth of Claude 3.7 Sonnet tokens. We'll give out more free tokens if you leave useful feedback.

After that, you can add a credit card to buy more tokens (securely processed through Stripe. Our pricing matches Anthropic's API rates exactly. We don't take any cut, either per token or per top-up. In the future we'll add more LLM providers.

What are the risks of using AI Cockpit Reasoning?​

AI Cockpit Reasoning is a powerful tool, and it's important to use it responsibly. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • AI Cockpit Reasoning can make mistakes. Always review AI Cockpit Reasoning's proposed changes carefully before approving them.
  • AI Cockpit Reasoning can execute commands. Be very cautious about allowing AI Cockpit Reasoning to run commands, especially if you're using auto-approval.
  • AI Cockpit Reasoning can access the internet. If you're using a provider that supports web browsing, be aware that AI Cockpit Reasoning could potentially access sensitive information.

Setup & Installation​

How do I install AI Cockpit Reasoning?​

See the Installation Guide for detailed instructions.

Usage​

How do I start a new task?​

Open the AI Cockpit Reasoning panel () and type your task in the chat box. Be clear and specific about what you want AI Cockpit Reasoning to do. See The Chat Interface for best practices.

What are modes in AI Cockpit Reasoning?​

Modes are different personas that AI Cockpit Reasoning can adopt, each with a specific focus and set of capabilities. The built-in modes are:

  • Code: For general-purpose coding tasks.
  • Architect: For planning and technical leadership.
  • Ask: For answering questions and providing information.
  • Debug: For systematic problem diagnosis.
  • Orchestrator For task delegations to the appropriate modes.

You can also create Custom Modes.

How do I switch between modes?​

Use the dropdown menu in the chat input area to select a different mode, or use the / command to switch to a specific mode.

What are tools and how do I use them?​

Tools are how AI Cockpit Reasoning interacts with your system. AI Cockpit Reasoning automatically selects and uses the appropriate tools to complete your tasks. You don't need to call tools directly. You will be prompted to approve or reject each tool use.

What are context mentions?​

Context mentions are a way to provide AI Cockpit Reasoning with specific information about your project, such as files, folders, or problems. Use the "@" symbol followed by the item you want to mention (e.g., @/src/file.ts, @problems).

Can AI Cockpit Reasoning access the internet?​

Yes, if you are using a provider with a model that support web browsing. Be mindful of the security implications of allowing this.

Can AI Cockpit Reasoning run commands in my terminal?​

Yes, AI Cockpit Reasoning can execute commands in your VS Code terminal. You will be prompted to approve each command before it's executed, unless you've enabled auto-approval for commands. Be extremely cautious about auto-approving commands. If you're experiencing issues with terminal commands, see the Shell Integration Guide for troubleshooting.

How do I provide feedback to AI Cockpit Reasoning?​

You can provide feedback by approving or rejecting AI Cockpit Reasoning's proposed actions. You can provide additional feedback by using the feedback field.

Can I customize AI Cockpit Reasoning's behavior?​

Yes, you can customize AI Cockpit Reasoning in several ways:

  • Custom Instructions: Provide general instructions that apply to all modes, or mode-specific instructions.
  • Custom Modes: Create your own modes with tailored prompts and tool permissions.
  • .clinerules Files: Create .clinerules files in your project to provide additional guidelines.
  • Settings: Adjust various settings, such as auto-approval, diff editing, and more.

Does AI Cockpit Reasoning have any auto approval settings?​

Yes, AI Cockpit Reasoning has a few settings that when enabled will automatically approve actions. Find out more here.

Advanced Features​

What is MCP (Model Context Protocol)?​

MCP is a protocol that allows AI Cockpit Reasoning to communicate with external servers, extending its capabilities with custom tools and resources.

Can I create my own MCP servers?​

Yes, you can create your own MCP servers to add custom functionality to AI Cockpit Reasoning. See the MCP documentation for details. Yes, you can create your own MCP servers to add custom functionality to AI Cockpit Reasoning. See the MCP documentation for details.

Troubleshooting​

AI Cockpit Reasoning isn't responding. What should I do?​

  • Check your internet connection.
  • Try restarting VS Code.

I'm seeing an error message. What does it mean?​

The error message should provide some information about the problem. If you're unsure how to resolve it, seek help in the community forums.

AI Cockpit Reasoning made changes I didn't want. How do I undo them?​

AI Cockpit Reasoning uses VS Code's built-in file editing capabilities. You can use the standard "Undo" command (Ctrl/Cmd + Z) to revert changes. Also, if experimental checkpoints are enabled, AI Cockpit can revert changes made to a file.