Visual Studio Code for ipad

[allessandrojs]

can use the Visual Studio Code on a ipad

[mittalyashu]

I don't think there is any native app build for iOS

[codingwesley]

I have the same question at buy iPad pro recently

[Disane87]

I guess there are too many limitations on iOS to get that actually work.

[chpxu]

VSCode runs on Electron and is a desktop framework, meaning it only runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. The iPad runs iOS, a mobile framework so it most likely wouldn't make it, unless the team are perhaps thinking of makng an installer

On that note, if it is the case perhaps and android version too since I use my MediaPad M5 a lot for working and consuming media :>

[allessandrojs]

I found this idea very good so I raised this question, the link shows an example

https://medium.com/@igorandreev/how-to-code-with-ipad-pro-make-your-2019-year-of-mobile-development-e4e678daab77

[allessandrojs]

electronjs create multiplatform applications even for ios, so i believe it works for ipad.

[sean256]

There are a ton of challenges to get this thing running and feature full on the iPad due to iOS limitation.

What about a lite version which could utilize VSCode's Live Share? Run the full version on a desktop to do all of the heavy lifting and file management but use the iPad to remote edit?

[hugheba]

Yeah, I’d love to see some sort of implementation as @sean256 suggested where I can use the horsepower of my desktop and all its abilities and work remotely on the iPad in the browser or an optimized app that supports special features needed for development like the ESC key.

[scottgrobinson]

@hugheba I'm about to try this one out https://github.com/cdr/code-server. Runs vscode on a remote server, then you can just use your browser. Seems intriguing....

[hugheba]

@scottgrobinson code-server Looks promising.

I installed it and tried to set it up for my iPad, a lot of thing didn’t work like adding workspaces from filesystem, sync plugin installing extensions, etc...

It seems like it creates a seperate install from the VSCode installation, so I have to set up my environment all over again, hence trying to get the settings sync plugin to work (unsuccessfully).

Seems they’re offering a paid product but doesn’t seem like the functionality is quite there yet.

[sean256]

iOS has a deal breaking bug for something like https://github.com/cdr/code-server to work.

Certain and critical key events are not fired for input/textarea fields (arrow keys, system keys). VSCode's editor at it's core depends on these missing key events. I tried a nasty hack where I would intercept i,j,k,l with the only working modifier (alt) events and rewrite the event to look like arrow keys. It's terrible but I did get the editor sort of working.

Apple needs to fix this. I sent an "angry rant" to an old friend of mine who works with the UIKit team so they know...

[seanhealy]

This could be very intriguing for iOS.

• https://twitter.com/bitandbang/status/1124017139717947392
• https://aka.ms/remote-development-blog

Still other framework things that would need to be solved but it is very cool.

[zweily]

As VS code already released the "remote development" extensions, it would be reasonable to have the VS code for iOS platform for the users that mostly work remotely via ssh to Linux server.
This would make iPad Pro users have a better IDE to work remotely.

[windoze]

App Store Review Guideline says:

2.5.6 Apps that browse the web must use the appropriate WebKit framework and WebKit Javascript.

I don't see why VSCode for iOS cannot use any other render engine, it doesn't "browse the web" after all.

[lesyk]

On MSBuild2019 Live Share was presented which can help you out: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/intelligent-productivity-and-collaboration-from-anywhere/, https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/services/live-share/, https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/liveshare/use/vscode

[leonhx]

Browser-Based Web Companion is under development (src: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/intelligent-productivity-and-collaboration-from-anywhere/ ).

In the future, you will be able to navigate to https://online.visualstudio.com and access any of your remote environments. Because Visual Studio Online is based on Visual Studio Code, it will feel immediately familiar, and benefits from the rich ecosystem of extensions you already know and love – while supporting both the Visual Studio Code workspaces, as well as Visual Studio’s projects and solutions. Additionally, it will support IntelliCode and Live Share out-of-the-box, which ensures it provides the rich collaboration and productivity features developers need.

Seems that it meets most requirements.

[onionhammer]

I think now that remote development is in-place, this seems like a perfect opportunity to launch VS Code as apps on iOS and Android, not just in the browser (since Safari kinda stinks), but actual (html-based) apps.

[forrestthewoods]

Yes please! With all of VS Code’s remote work a native VS Code iPad app seems like a no brainer. I’ve been desperate for my iPad to be a real productivity for years. It’s so close I can taste it!

[clonn]

After WWDC, iPad OS is going out, how about vscode for ipad ?

[jarvon]

I agree... iPadOS opens up a whole new set of capabilities for what could be.
I think Having a text editor that is flexible and easily accessible will open up coding to a whole new set of individuals.

[klaus385]

Someone was able to do this seemingly pretty easy.

https://medium.com/@ow/its-finally-possible-to-code-web-apps-on-an-ipad-pro-90ad9c1fb59a

[ImMrMa]

Only use the remote SSH is perfect for ipados.I think it must be a cool thing!!!And we can try only use the kbd to coding.It is fantastic too!!

[ErykahA]

VSCode runs on Electron and is a desktop framework, meaning it only runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. The iPad runs iOS, a mobile framework so it most likely wouldn't make it, unless the team are perhaps thinking of makng an installer

On that note, if it is the case perhaps and android version too since I use my MediaPad M5 a lot for working and consuming media :>

It would really really help if they did. I have to use both my iPad and MacBook in order to get stuff done and Visual still won’t work on my iPad due to the frame work needed. This sucks big time.

[BrendanThompson]

I don't suppose there's been any progress on getting a MVP/PoC of this working on i/iPadOS

[CRodriguez25]

I use Coda on my iPad Pro to do development work on a small DigitalOcean dev server. When I want to work on my desktop, I use VSCode's new Remote SSH extension to do the same.

It'd be awesome if we could get a "lite" version of VSCode that basically just offers the Remote SSH part (no local files). That's probably way more complicated than I'm making out to be, and honestly Coda is a great solution, but I love Code so here's hoping

[ImMrMa]

Yeah!I am in the same condition with you!

…

在 2019年7月10日，下午3:15，Carlos Rodriguez ***@***.***> 写道： I use my Coda on my iPad Pro to do development work on a small DigitalOcean dev server. When I want to work on my desktop, I use VSCode's new Remote SSH extension to do the same. It'd be awesome if we could get a "lite" version of VSCode that basically just offers the Remote SSH part (no local files). That's probably way more complicated than I'm making out to be, and honestly Coda is a great solution, but I love Code so here's hoping — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or mute the thread.

[bkniffler]

Wouldn't it maybe even be possible to get a raspberry pi as dev server? Two scenarios come to my mind:

Raspberry Pi VNC

Connect Raspberry Pi to iPad via usb-c (the new Pi 4 has native usb-c plug) and iPads ethernet over usb-c. Have VNC active on the device. Connect with Jump Desktop or any other VNC client from iPad to Pi.

Raspberry Pi SSH/Coder

Same as above, only use either VS Code Coder server on Pi or just use Coda to build a SSH/SFTP connection to the Pi. This could also work over bluetooth instead of usb-c (https://gist.github.com/rcarmo/6ad6c09e904c35857bad2dd2769edf76).

Having a little "development box" that does the actual computing, working even if offline (while traveling), could be awesome. I just wonder if internet can be shared from iPad to the Pi with these kind of settings.

[SKbarbon]

Here is iPadOS 16 on a big step on Desktop road. So i think its time to vs-code team to be thinking about iPad version.

[LiLejia]

You guys should check out this video. I think this solve all my problems.
https://youtu.be/q2viJSYyKio

[maguowei]

these news may help

• Apple to allow outside app stores in overhaul spurred by EU laws
• Apple considering dropping requirement for iPhone web browsers to use WebKit

[ghost]

Don't need electron at all. With VSCode's codebase being more modular than ever, someone could adapt the current codebase for ios and android, by implementing a webview with all main process methods (ipc...)

The main problem being that monaco editor DOESN'T work in mobile contexts and the team doesn't consider it a priority.

[MaxiMittel]

Some while ago I implemented the FileSystemAccess API, that allows vscode.dev to access local files on Chrome for the iOS WebView. I didn't really have time to work on it any further, but if someone wants to take it as a starting point or would like to contribute feel free.

[AckerApple]

@MaxiMittel the closest I get, to a robust experience on iPad, is by running CodeServer on another true computer that my iPad connects to. Everything runs on main computer and iPad can do terminal commands and everything via connection to local computer.

It’s a rather great experience and I always have my local computer start up with CodeServer always running.

However, since everything is running on another machine sometimes you have to deal with address issues such as local website development is not localhost:8080 its more like owners-mac-mini.local:8080 which at times can propose config issues BUT OTHERWISE everything works this way even Docker since it runs on a local computer

https://github.com/coder/code-server

[ghost]

@MaxiMittel the closest I get, to a robust experience on iPad, is by running CodeServer on another true computer that my iPad connects to. Everything runs on main computer and iPad can do terminal commands and everything via connection to local computer.

It’s a rather great experience and I always have my local computer start up with CodeServer always running.

However, since everything is running on another machine sometimes you have to deal with address issues such as local website development is not localhost:8080 its more like owners-mac-mini.local:8080 which at times can propose config issues BUT OTHERWISE everything works this way even Docker since it runs on a local computer

https://github.com/coder/code-server

This approach would be solid if hosted directly from the device (e.g. Termux) and bundled in 1 application.

[patmuk]

Looks like that needs Linux - not sure if Termux is enough. I tried running code server with an optimized Debian on UTM on my 2nd gen iPad Pro - worked, but was too slow (see my post multiple month ago in this thread.
Because of ARM using compilers, containers, etc. was very restricted too.

[ghost]

Looks like that needs Linux - not sure if Termux is enough. I tried running code server with an optimized Debian on UTM on my 2nd gen iPad Pro - worked, but was too slow (see my post multiple month ago in this thread. Because of ARM using compilers, containers, etc. was very restricted too.

Isn't Ipad 2nd gen more than 10 years old? But that's on iOS. On Android the code server would run directly inside Android because Android allows it. No VM needed.

[patmuk]

I guess it is - it is a pre-M-processor model. Maybe UTM runs faster on M-iPads? It was not unusable slow - so maybe that is indeed an option.

Sounds nice that it might work on Android. However, let’s not mix up threads - this is for VS Code on iPad.

I decided to not upgrade my iPad. I would rather by a MacBook Air - as the OS is better for development and with the Magic Keyboard the iPad combo weights and costs more.

[victoryang00]

https://wasmcon2023.sched.com/event/1PCMJ/implementing-a-wasi-host-for-visual-studio-code-dirk-baumer-microsoft?iframe=no&w=100%&sidebar=yes&bg=no Your team has already made this a thing! We should make this happen together.

The iPad release should be equipped with wasi! #191044 With wasi, other platform like Harmony OS or fuscia OS will also benifit!

[hg0428]

There are a ton of challenges to get this thing running and feature full on the iPad due to iOS limitation.

What about a lite version which could utilize VSCode's Live Share? Run the full version on a desktop to do all of the heavy lifting and file management but use the iPad to remote edit?

That doesn't work well when the iPad is your only device and you don't have good network connection.
I use Code App (like vs code but with less features and it runs natively on iPadOS) although it's not ideal.

[keys-i]

so pretty weird question why cant we just make the app ourselves

[keys-i]

can we make the whole thing in flutter?

[victoryang00]

can we make the whole thing in flutter?

This will force you to bounded by Google environment, we should use open WASM for sure.

[keys-i]

good idea!
i was thinking we could do the extension support as well
the whole ipad community will be so grateful

[AdamCoulterOz]

Apple could update its Virtualisation Framework for iPadOS, offering an SDK that grants apps the ability to create and manage strongly sandboxed, terminal-only environments. This would facilitate the integration of IDE apps like Xcode or VS Code on iPads, where these apps could control the lifecycle of secure, lightweight containers for code compilation and execution within the touch-based UI.

[keys-i]

I don’t think apple will do it

[AckerApple]

@radhesh1 yeah I agree with you. I was searching for a meme about Steve Jobs and his point of view on not giving up control but I got both distracted and stuck laughing at this meme that will have to do.

[thegraffix]

It would be very useful to have an iOS app for VSCode that simply mirrors/syncs the VSCode debugging pane and allows you to add to the Watch list.

[Nora-Ballard]

App Store Guidelines now allow non-embedded software.

4.7 Mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators
Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games.

Unless there's some technicality in the additional guidelines that would still preclude the way vsCode extensions work, it seems like that should resolve the blocker of extension support being against guidelines.

[guocity]

VSCode for web does work on the iPad, but there are some issues. For example, the Jupyter notebook variable does not show up, and the data wrangler does not work. However, if you use tunneling, it's like a desktop app.

[RobertLupas]

You could use GitHub Codespaces. It runs VS Code on the web. You could also use vscode.dev, which works almost the same, and supports most features and extensions. If you want to use that, you'll need to use a Remote Repository, with GitHub or Azure. You can't work with a local project on an iPad because of its filesystem and locks put in place by Apple.

Edit: As @guocity mentioned, you can use tunneling, by running the official Remote Explorer/Remote Tunnel extension by Microsoft, and using vscode.dev, as I mentioned before.