Vibe Coding with VS Code Using Voice

Unlock hands-free coding in Visual Studio Code with HummingbirdAI's powerful voice recognition.

Quick Shortcut:

Command + Shift + T

Voice Input (HummingbirdAI)

Quick Shortcut:

Command + Shift + P

Command Palette (VS Code)

Transform VS Code with Voice

Visual Studio Code becomes a voice-controlled powerhouse when paired with HummingbirdAI. Navigate, write, debug, and refactor code using natural language commands while maintaining your flow state and keeping your hands on the keyboard.

Setting Up Voice in VS Code

Prerequisites

•Install HummingbirdAI from the Mac App Store
•Install Visual Studio Code
•Grant microphone permissions to HummingbirdAI
•Install recommended VS Code extensions (optional)

Configuration Steps

Test Voice Input

Open VS Code and press Command+Shift+T to test voice input

Configure Settings

Adjust VS Code settings for optimal voice coding experience

Learn Shortcuts

Familiarize yourself with VS Code keyboard shortcuts

Practice Commands

Start with basic navigation and editing commands

Essential Voice Commands

Navigation

•"Go to line 25"
•"Open file index.js"
•"Go to definition"
•"Find all references"
•"Navigate back"
•"Switch to terminal"

Editing

•"Select word"
•"Select line"
•"Delete line"
•"Duplicate line down"
•"Move line up"
•"Add cursor below"

Code Actions

•"Format document"
•"Rename symbol"
•"Extract method"
•"Add import"
•"Fix all auto-fixable problems"
•"Toggle comment"

Advanced Voice Workflows

Multi-Cursor Editing

Use voice to place multiple cursors: 'Add cursor to all occurrences of userName' or 'Select next occurrence'

IntelliSense Integration

Navigate suggestions with voice: 'Accept suggestion', 'Next suggestion', or 'Show parameter hints'

Terminal Commands

Control the integrated terminal: 'Run npm install', 'Clear terminal', or 'Create new terminal'

Theme & Layout

Customize your environment: 'Toggle sidebar', 'Zoom in', or 'Switch to dark theme'

Voice Coding Patterns

Function Creation

Use natural language to create functions:

// Voice: "Create a function called calculateTotal that takes 
// an array of numbers and returns their sum"

function calculateTotal(numbers) {
  // Voice: "Use reduce to sum all numbers"
  return numbers.reduce((sum, num) => sum + num, 0);
}

// Voice: "Add JSDoc comment for this function"

Class Creation

// Voice: "Create a class called UserManager with constructor 
// taking database connection"

class UserManager {
  // Voice: "Add private property for database"
  #database;
  
  constructor(database) {
    this.#database = database;
  }
  
  // Voice: "Add async method to get user by ID"
  async getUserById(id) {
    // Implementation
  }
}

Quick Refactoring

// Voice: "Select this if statement and convert to ternary"
// Before:
if (isLoggedIn) {
  showDashboard();
} else {
  showLogin();
}

// After voice command:
isLoggedIn ? showDashboard() : showLogin();

Productivity Techniques

1. Voice Macros

Create voice shortcuts for repetitive tasks:

•"Console log selection" → Wraps selection in console.log()
•"Try catch block" → Wraps code in try-catch
•"Arrow function" → Converts function to arrow syntax
•"Async function" → Adds async/await to function

2. Context-Aware Commands

VS Code understands context. Use it to your advantage:

•"Import this" (with cursor on unimported symbol)
•"Extract to constant" (with selection)
•"Generate getter and setter" (in class)
•"Implement interface" (on class declaration)

3. Snippet Expansion

Combine voice with VS Code snippets:

"Type for loop snippet, then tab to i, say variable name index, tab to condition, say length, tab to body"

Extension Integration

Popular Extensions for Voice Coding

•GitHub Copilot - Voice describe what you want, let AI complete
•Prettier - Voice command 'format on save' or 'format now'
•ESLint - Voice 'fix all linting errors' or 'disable rule for line'
•GitLens - Voice 'show blame' or 'view file history'

Custom Keybindings

Create voice-friendly keybindings in VS Code:

// keybindings.json
{
  "key": "alt+shift+l",
  "command": "console.log",
  "when": "editorTextFocus"
}
// Now say: "Press alt shift L" to insert console.log

Debugging with Voice

Breakpoint Management

•"Toggle breakpoint" - Add/remove breakpoint on current line
•"Add conditional breakpoint" - Set breakpoint with condition
•"Remove all breakpoints" - Clear all breakpoints
•"Enable/disable breakpoint" - Toggle without removing

Debug Navigation

•"Start debugging" or "F5"
•"Step over" or "F10"
•"Step into" or "F11"
•"Continue" or "F5"
•"Stop debugging" or "Shift F5"

Debug Console

Use voice in the debug console:

"Evaluate expression user.permissions.includes admin"

Git Integration

Source Control Commands

•"Open source control" - Show Git panel
•"Stage all changes" - Stage all modified files
•"Commit with message Fixed user authentication bug"
•"Push to origin" - Push commits
•"Pull from origin" - Pull latest changes

Branch Operations

// Voice commands for Git:
"Create new branch feature/user-profile"
"Switch to branch main"
"Merge current branch into main"
"Delete branch feature/old-feature"

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

•Voice not recognized: Ensure VS Code window is focused
•Commands not working: Check if in correct context (editor, terminal, etc.)
•Lag in recognition: Close unnecessary applications
•Microphone issues: Check system permissions

Performance Tips

•Disable unnecessary extensions
•Use workspace-specific settings
•Keep VS Code updated
•Clear VS Code cache if experiencing issues

Voice Coding Best Practices

1. Build Muscle Memory

Practice common command combinations:

File Operations: "Save all, close others, split right"

Navigation: "Go to symbol, search TODO, next problem"

Refactoring: "Extract variable, rename, move to new file"

2. Create Your Voice Workflow

Start with file navigation and opening
Use voice for code generation and boilerplate
Refine with precise voice edits
Debug using voice commands
Commit changes with voice-dictated messages

3. Optimize Your Environment

•Use a quiet environment or noise-canceling microphone
•Position yourself comfortably for extended sessions
•Take breaks to prevent voice strain
•Keep water nearby for hydration

Start Voice Coding in VS Code

Experience the freedom of hands-free development. Code naturally with your voice using HummingbirdAI.

Get HummingbirdAI Free