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Nuxt DevTools "Toggle Component Inspector"

#vscode #tooling #vue #productivity

Fix Nuxt DevTools "Toggle Component Inspector" with Multiple VS Code Instances

What is "Toggle Component Inspector" in Nuxt DevTools?

If you're new to Nuxt DevTools, the "Toggle Component Inspector" feature is a powerful productivity tool that lets you jump directly from your browser's developer tools to the exact file and line in your code editor. When you're debugging a component or inspecting an element, clicking "Toggle Component Inspector" will automatically open the relevant source file in your editor at the precise location.

However, if you've recently switched to alternative editors like Cursor and Windsurf (which are VS Code forks), you might have noticed that the "Toggle Component Inspector" feature doesn't work like it used to when you were using VS Code exclusively.

My Personal Experience

I personally came across this issue. I have been using Cursor and Windsurf and I stopped using that feature since I was letting the LLMs and agents handle my code (vibe coding). I actually came across this issue at the beginning of my journey in vibe coding, but because the LLMs were handling a lot of my debugging just by prompting, I didn't make an effort to fix this issue.

But there comes a time when you have to get your hands dirty and debug some issues yourself, and without Nuxt DevTools and "Toggle Component Inspector" it can be a nightmare navigating the folder structure, especially if the LLMs and agents have created complex nested components and files.

So, what exactly is going wrong with the "Toggle Component Inspector" feature when you're using VS Code forks like Cursor and Windsurf?

The Problem

If you're using VS Code forks like Cursor or Windsurf (which are based on VS Code), this feature can become frustrating. Instead of opening the file in your current editor instance, it might:

  • Open the wrong editor (VS Code instead of Cursor/Windsurf)
  • Create a new VS Code instance instead of using your current Cursor/Windsurf window
  • Fail to open the file at all
  • Open the file in a different project's editor window

This is especially common when you have multiple VS Code-based editors installed or when switching between different editors.

Why This Happens

When you're using VS Code forks like Cursor and Windsurf, Nuxt DevTools doesn't know which editor to use. The LAUNCH_EDITOR environment variable tells DevTools which editor command to use, but without proper configuration, it defaults to the standard VS Code command (code) instead of recognizing your preferred editor (cursor or windsurf).

The Solution: Configure Your Editor

0. Check Your Current LAUNCH_EDITOR Setting

Before making changes, let's see what's currently configured:

Windows (Command Prompt):

echo %LAUNCH_EDITOR%
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Windows (PowerShell):

echo $env:LAUNCH_EDITOR
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Unix/Linux/Git Bash:

echo $LAUNCH_EDITOR
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If the command returns nothing or an empty line, the variable isn't set yet.

1. Set the LAUNCH_EDITOR Environment Variable

Windows (Command Prompt):

setx LAUNCH_EDITOR "code"
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Windows (PowerShell):

[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("LAUNCH_EDITOR", "code", "User")
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Unix/Linux/Git Bash:

echo 'export LAUNCH_EDITOR="code"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
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2. Alternative Editors

For Cursor users:

export LAUNCH_EDITOR="cursor"
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For Windsurf users:

export LAUNCH_EDITOR="windsurf"
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3. Optional: Enable Sourcemaps for Better Debugging

While not required for "Toggle Component Inspector" to work, enabling sourcemaps can improve the debugging experience by providing better error traces and more accurate line numbers:

// nuxt.config.ts
export default defineNuxtConfig({
  devtools: { enabled: true },
  sourcemap: {
    server: true, // Maps server-side code
    client: true, // Maps client-side code
  },
});
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What sourcemaps do:

  • Create a bridge between your browser's compiled code and your original source files
  • Provide more accurate line numbers in error stack traces
  • Enable better debugging experience in browser dev tools
  • Help with performance profiling and code analysis

Learn more: Nuxt Debugging Documentation

Why This Works

When you click "Toggle Component Inspector":

  1. DevTools identifies the current component or function
  2. DevTools launches your editor with the correct file and cursor position
  3. Your configured editor opens the file in the right instance

The LAUNCH_EDITOR environment variable tells DevTools which editor command to use, ensuring it opens the correct editor instance.

Quick Test

  1. Set your LAUNCH_EDITOR environment variable
  2. Restart your dev server: npm run dev
  3. Open Nuxt DevTools and try the "Toggle Component Inspector" feature
  4. Verify it opens the correct file in the right VS Code instance

Automated Setup Scripts

After experiencing this frustration myself, I decided to create automated scripts that handle the configuration for you across different platforms. These scripts eliminate the guesswork and make the setup process much smoother.

Available for:

  • Windows: Batch and PowerShell scripts
  • Unix/Linux: Shell scripts
  • Git Bash: Cross-platform compatibility

Check out the Nuxt DevTools Editor Configuration Scripts for detailed instructions and downloads.

My Experience Creating These Scripts

I personally use Git Bash and Cursor, and the script works perfectly for my workflow. What's interesting is that with the help of LLMs in Cursor, I was able to create these automated setup scripts that handle the configuration across different platforms. It's a perfect example of how AI-assisted development can solve real productivity problems - the same LLMs that initially made me neglect this feature ended up helping me create tools to make it work better!

The scripts include:

  • Interactive editor selection (Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf)
  • Automatic CLI verification
  • Cross-platform environment variable setup
  • Built-in verification and testing

If you encounter any issues with the scripts on other platforms, please let me know so I can improve them. Your feedback helps make these tools better for everyone.

Troubleshooting

Editor CLI not found?

  • VS Code: Install via Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P → "Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH")
  • Cursor: Usually installed automatically
  • Verify with: code --version or cursor --version

Still not working?

  1. Restart your terminal after setting the environment variable
  2. Verify the variable: echo $LAUNCH_EDITOR (Unix) or echo %LAUNCH_EDITOR% (Windows)
  3. Clear browser storage data - Sometimes DevTools caches old configuration:
    • Open Chrome DevTools (F12)
    • Go to Application tab
    • Under Storage, click Clear site data button
    • Or manually delete nuxt-devtools-* keys from Local storage
  4. Check browser console for any error messages
  5. Ensure your development server is running
  6. Restart your development server: npm run dev

The Bottom Line

With proper configuration, Nuxt DevTools becomes a powerful productivity tool that seamlessly connects your browser debugging experience with your code editor. No more guessing which VS Code window to use!

Share Your Solutions

Have you found a different or simpler workaround for this issue? I'd love to hear about it! Whether you've discovered a better way to configure your editor, found a different approach, or have tips for working with multiple VS Code instances, please share your experience in the comments.

Tags: #nuxt #devtools #vscode #webdev #productivity

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