There are many linters available for Python in the VS Code marketplace that flag code where coding standards aren’t followed, but there hasn’t been a tool to actually fix those linting issues — until now.
I often found myself spending a lot of time identifying problems and figuring out how to fix them — something I’m sure many of us can relate to. While searching online, I came across an amazing tool called Dexter.ai that has made my work so much easier. I genuinely think it could be a game-changer for all of us. It’s an AI-powered extension for Visual Studio Code that not only identifies code smells but also provides AI-generated fixes. If you’ve ever found yourself spending too much time fixing subtle issues or digging through documentation for solutions, this is a tool worth trying out.
Installation
Installation is pretty straightforward.
- Search for Dexter.ai on VS Extensions panel and Install
- Install via the VS Code marketplace
Note: As a prerequisite, SonarQube for IDE must be installed in VS Code.
Here’s how it works
Dexter.ai integrates with SonarQube to flag issues and displays them in its own tab within VS Code. You can hover over any code smell to see its details and click “Generate Fix” to get a tailored solution. Once you review the fix, you can either apply it directly or skip it if it doesn’t fit your needs. It dynamically updates as you make changes, so you’re always working with the latest insights into your code.
My Experience So Far
The moment I started using Dexter.ai, I noticed how much time it saved me. Instead of spending ages trying to understand and fix every flagged issue, I could just review the AI’s suggestion, click apply, and move on. It’s like having a coding buddy who knows exactly how to handle those pesky smells. Plus, the interface is super intuitive. The Dexter tab gives you a bird’s-eye view of all your code smells, and hovering over a smell shows you the affected code along with the AI fix. It’s simple, clean, and effective.
What I feel about the future
I reached out to the team to find out what’s in store for Dexter.ai’s future. While their current focus is on Python, they’re actively working on expanding support to other languages. If you’re using Java, JavaScript, or similar languages, you can look forward to seeing Dexter.ai broaden its capabilities soon.
In short if you want cleaner, more maintainable Python code, you need to try Dexter.ai. It’s free, intuitive, and genuinely helpful. Plus, it’s got this rate limit feature where you get 10 fixes a day — perfect for small to medium projects.
Happy Coding!
Top comments (0)