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| 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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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}"]
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recommended Extension Packs
Essential AL + AI Setup
Minimal setup for AI-assisted AL development:
- AL Language (Microsoft)
- GitHub Copilot (GitHub)
- GitHub Copilot Chat (GitHub)
- AL Code Outline (Community)
- 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) orCmd+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:
- Generate code with AI
- Run CodeCop to check standards
- Fix issues with AI assistance
- Verify with test runner
AI + Documentation:
- Write code with AI
- Generate XML docs with AI
- Format with AL XML Documentation extension
- Create README with Markdown All in One
AI + Version Control:
- Develop features with AI
- Review changes with GitLens
- Commit with clear AI-related messages
- 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]
BC AI Helper Scripts
Type: PowerShell Scripts
What: Automation scripts for AI-assisted BC development
Repository: [Example - To be created by community]
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
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.
Related Resources
- Setup Guide - Environment configuration
- Blog Posts - Tool reviews and comparisons
- Videos - Tool demonstrations
- Discussions - Tool recommendations and support