alguidelines/content/docs/agentic-coding/CommunityResources/tools.md

title	linkTitle	weight	description
Tools & Extensions	Tools	3	VS Code extensions and tools that enhance AI-assisted AL development

Overview

This page catalogs VS Code extensions, utilities, and tools that complement AI coding assistants for Business Central development.

AI Coding Assistants

GitHub Copilot

Publisher: GitHub
Type: AI Code Completion

Features:

• Inline code suggestions
• Chat interface for questions
• Multi-file context awareness
• Code explanation and refactoring

AL-Specific Benefits:

• Understands AL syntax and patterns
• Suggests Business Central APIs
• Generates AL-compliant code
• Helps with event subscribers and patterns

Installation:

Extension ID: GitHub.copilot

Link: VS Code Marketplace

Pricing: Subscription required (free for students/open source maintainers)

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GitHub Copilot Chat

Publisher: GitHub
Type: AI Chat Assistant

Features:

• Interactive chat in VS Code
• Code explanations
• Debugging assistance
• Inline code chat

Best For:

• Asking questions about AL code
• Getting explanations of Business Central patterns
• Debugging assistance
• Code refactoring discussions

Installation:

Extension ID: GitHub.copilot-chat

Link: VS Code Marketplace

Requires: GitHub Copilot subscription

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AL Development Extensions

AL Language

Publisher: Microsoft
Type: Language Support

Why It's Essential:

• Core AL language support
• Syntax highlighting
• IntelliSense
• Code analysis

AI Integration:

• Provides context for AI suggestions
• Enables AL-aware completions
• Works with AL code analyzers

Installation:

Extension ID: ms-dynamics-smb.al

Link: VS Code Marketplace

Required: Yes, for AL development

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AL Code Outline

Publisher: Community
Type: Code Navigation

Features:

• Visual code structure
• Quick navigation
• Object overview
• Procedure list

AI Enhancement:

• Helps AI understand code structure
• Easier to reference specific procedures in prompts
• Better context for AI suggestions

Installation:

Extension ID: davidfeldhoff.al-code-outline

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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AL Object Designer

Publisher: Community
Type: Object Browser

Features:

• Browse all AL objects
• Search functionality
• Quick navigation
• Object creation

AI Enhancement:

• Quickly find objects to reference in prompts
• Better workspace navigation
• Context for AI when working with multiple objects

Installation:

Extension ID: martonsagi.al-object-designer

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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AL Variable Helper

Publisher: Community
Type: Variable Management

Features:

• Auto-declare variables
• Variable suggestions
• Type inference
• Quick fixes

AI Complement:

• Use with AI-generated code to clean up variables
• Auto-complete variables from AI suggestions
• Streamline AI-generated code

Installation:

Extension ID: rasmus.al-var-helper

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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AL Test Runner

Publisher: Community
Type: Test Framework

Features:

• Run AL tests from VS Code
• Test results visualization
• Code coverage
• Test debugging

AI Use Cases:

• Test AI-generated code
• Verify AI refactoring
• Run tests for AI-written procedures

Installation:

Extension ID: jamespearson.al-test-runner

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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Code Quality Tools

AL CodeCop

Type: Code Analyzer
Included In: AL Language Extension

What It Does:

• Enforces AL coding standards
• Identifies best practice violations
• Provides code fixes

AI Integration:

• Review AI-generated code
• Ensure AI follows standards
• Auto-fix AI code issues

Usage: Enabled in app.json:

"codeAnalyzers": ["${CodeCop}"]

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Business Central Performance Toolkit

Publisher: Microsoft
Type: Performance Testing

Features:

• Performance scenario testing
• Load testing
• Performance metrics

AI Use Cases:

• Test performance of AI-generated code
• Validate AI optimization suggestions
• Benchmark before/after AI refactoring

Link: GitHub Repository

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Documentation Tools

AL XML Documentation

Publisher: Community
Type: Documentation Generator

Features:

• Generate XML documentation
• Documentation snippets
• Template support

AI Enhancement:

• Complement AI-generated docs
• Standardize documentation format
• Quick doc generation

Installation:

Extension ID: andrzejzwierzchowski.al-xml-doc

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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Markdown All in One

Publisher: Community
Type: Markdown Editor

Features:

• Markdown preview
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Auto-completion
• Table formatting

AI Use Cases:

• Edit AI-generated README files
• Format AI-generated documentation
• Create documentation with AI assistance

Installation:

Extension ID: yzhang.markdown-all-in-one

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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Productivity Enhancers

GitLens

Publisher: GitKraken
Type: Git Enhancement

Features:

• Code authorship
• Commit history
• Blame annotations
• Git visualization

AI Context:

• See who wrote code (human vs AI-assisted)
• Track AI-generated code changes
• Review AI code evolution

Installation:

Extension ID: eamodio.gitlens

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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Code Spell Checker

Publisher: Street Side Software
Type: Spell Checker

Features:

• Spell checking in code
• Supports AL/BC terms
• Custom dictionaries

AI Complement:

• Catch spelling errors in AI-generated code
• Improve AI-generated documentation
• Ensure consistent terminology

Installation:

Extension ID: streetsidesoftware.code-spell-checker

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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Better Comments

Publisher: Community
Type: Comment Enhancement

Features:

• Color-coded comments
• TODO highlighting
• Comment categories

AI Use Cases:

• Mark AI-generated code sections
• Highlight AI code for review
• Track AI TODOs

Installation:

Extension ID: aaron-bond.better-comments

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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Specialized Tools

AL Toolbox

Publisher: Community
Type: Utility Collection

Features:

• Code snippets
• Quick actions
• AL utilities
• Productivity commands

AI Enhancement:

• Complements AI code generation
• Quick fixes for AI code
• Utilities for AI-generated projects

Installation:

Extension ID: BartPermentier.al-toolbox

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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AZ AL Dev Tools

Publisher: Community
Type: Development Tools

Features:

• Code generators
• AL object wizards
• Development utilities
• Code analysis

AI Complement:

• Generate boilerplate for AI to enhance
• Analyze AI-generated code structure
• Quick object creation

Installation:

Extension ID: andrzejzwierzchowski.az-al-dev-tools-vscode

Link: VS Code Marketplace

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Recommended Extension Packs

Essential AL + AI Setup

Minimal setup for AI-assisted AL development:

1. AL Language (Microsoft)
2. GitHub Copilot (GitHub)
3. GitHub Copilot Chat (GitHub)
4. AL Code Outline (Community)
5. AL Object Designer (Community)

Complete AL Development Suite

Comprehensive setup:

• All from Essential Setup
• AL Variable Helper
• AL Test Runner
• AL XML Documentation
• GitLens
• Code Spell Checker
• Better Comments

Team Development

Recommended for development teams:

• Complete Suite extensions
• AL Toolbox
• AZ AL Dev Tools
• Business Central Performance Toolkit

Configuration Tips

Optimizing for AI

Add to your settings.json:

{
  // Enable GitHub Copilot for AL
  "github.copilot.enable": {
    "*": true,
    "al": true
  },
  
  // Better inline suggestions
  "editor.inlineSuggest.enabled": true,
  "editor.suggest.showMethods": true,
  "editor.suggest.showFunctions": true,
  
  // Code analysis
  "al.enableCodeAnalysis": true,
  "al.codeAnalyzers": ["${CodeCop}", "${UICop}", "${PerTenantExtensionCop}"],
  
  // Auto-save for better AI context
  "files.autoSave": "afterDelay",
  "files.autoSaveDelay": 1000
}

Keyboard Shortcuts

Useful shortcuts when working with AI:

• Trigger Suggestion: Ctrl+Space (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Space (Mac)
• Accept Suggestion: Tab
• Next Suggestion: Alt+]
• Previous Suggestion: Alt+[
• Open Copilot Chat: Ctrl+Shift+I

Tool Integrations

Combining Tools Effectively

AI + Code Analysis:

1. Generate code with AI
2. Run CodeCop to check standards
3. Fix issues with AI assistance
4. Verify with test runner

AI + Documentation:

1. Write code with AI
2. Generate XML docs with AI
3. Format with AL XML Documentation extension
4. Create README with Markdown All in One

AI + Version Control:

1. Develop features with AI
2. Review changes with GitLens
3. Commit with clear AI-related messages
4. Track AI productivity over time

Community-Created Tools

AL Prompt Templates

Type: Snippet Collection
What: Pre-written prompts for common AL tasks

Repository: [Example - To be created by community]

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BC AI Helper Scripts

Type: PowerShell Scripts
What: Automation scripts for AI-assisted BC development

Repository: [Example - To be created by community]

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Contributing Tools

Created a tool for AI-assisted AL development?

Share it with the community!

Submission Guidelines:

• Must be useful for AL/BC development
• Should enhance AI-assisted workflows
• Open source preferred
• Well documented

How to Submit: See Contributing section

Tool Safety & Privacy

Privacy Considerations

What Gets Shared:

• Code in your workspace (with AI assistants)
• File names and structure
• Your prompts and questions

Best Practices:

• Review extension permissions
• Understand data handling
• Use organization-approved tools
• Don't include sensitive data in code

Security

Verify Extensions:

• Check publisher reputation
• Read reviews
• Review permissions requested
• Keep extensions updated

Updates

Extensions are frequently updated. Check for updates regularly:

• VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+X → Click update icon
• Auto-update: Enable in VS Code settings

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Placeholder Notice

Note

: Some tools listed may be examples for community-created utilities. As real tools are developed and published, they should be added here. The core Microsoft and established community extensions (GitHub Copilot, AL Language, etc.) are real and available now.

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Related Resources

• Setup Guide - Environment configuration
• Blog Posts - Tool reviews and comparisons
• Videos - Tool demonstrations
• Discussions - Tool recommendations and support