CodegenIDE User Guide

CodegenIDE is a lightweight desktop IDE for the Codegen programming language. This guide covers how to use the IDE's features effectively.

Getting Started

Launching the IDE

Run CodegenIDE using the provided script:

./run.sh

Or directly:

java -jar target/CodegenIDE-1.0.0.jar

On Linux, macOS or Windows, you can also install the packaged application and launch using it.

Opening Files

There are several ways to open a Codegen source file (.src):

• File → Open (Cmd+O / Ctrl+O) — opens a file dialog filtered to .src files
• Double-click a .src file in your file manager — opens a new CodegenIDE window with the file loaded
• Drag and drop a .src file onto the editor pane — opens the file in the current window
• Command-line argument — pass a .src file path as the first argument when launching

When opening a file, any tab characters are automatically converted to spaces (4-space tab stops).

The Editor

The main editor pane provides a full-featured code editor with:

• Syntax highlighting for Codegen source files
• Line numbers in the left gutter
• Monospaced font (configurable in Settings)
• Caret width of 2 pixels for visibility

Editing

The editor maintains 200 levels of undo history. Each text change is recorded as a full snapshot, so undo/redo always restores the complete editor state.

Block Indent and Outdent

Select one or more lines and press Cmd/Ctrl+] to indent them by 4 spaces, or Cmd/Ctrl+[ to remove up to 4 leading spaces. This works on the entire selection.

Find and Replace

Open with Edit → Find... (Cmd/Ctrl+F).

Search Options

• Case Sensitive — match exact case
• Entire Word — only match whole words (adds word-boundary matching)
• Grep — treat the search pattern as a regular expression; replacement supports backreferences
• Selected Text Only — restrict search to the current selection
• Wrap Around — when reaching the end of the document, continue from the beginning (enabled by default)

Actions

Press Enter to trigger "Next" (the default action). The dialog is non-modal, so you can continue editing while it's open.

Code Generation

CodegenIDE generates target language source code from your Codegen .src file. Generated files are placed in a gen/ subdirectory next to your source file.

Generating Code

Use the Generate menu to generate code for a specific language:

• C++ (.cpp)
• Java (.java)
• JavaScript (.js)
• Perl (.pl)
• Python (.py)
• Rust (.rs)
• Swift (.swift)

Select Generate All to generate all seven languages at once.

The IDE automatically saves your file before generating. Any required utility library files (e.g., Utils.hpp, Utils.jar) are copied into the gen/ directory automatically.

Preview Panel

The right side of the editor shows a read-only preview of the generated code for a selected language. Use the language dropdown at the top of the preview panel to switch between languages.

The preview panel features:

• Syntax highlighting appropriate for the selected language
• Line numbers
• Synchronized scrolling with the main editor (proportional vertical position)
• Automatic refresh after code generation

Running Programs

Use the Run menu to compile and execute your program in any supported language.

Supported Languages

Auto-Regeneration

When you run a program, the IDE checks if your source file is newer than the generated file. If so, it automatically regenerates the code before compiling and running.

Command-Line Arguments

Enter arguments in the Args field in the console toolbar. Arguments are split on whitespace and passed to your program.

Stopping a Program

Use Run → Stop (Cmd/Ctrl+.) to terminate a running process. You can also press Ctrl+C in the console to send a keyboard interrupt.

The Console

The built-in console displays program output and accepts input.

Features

• Full ANSI color support (8 colors + bright variants)
• Text styling: bold, dim, italic, underline, strikethrough, reverse
• 10,000-line scrollback buffer
• Mouse text selection (click and drag)
• Emoji and wide character rendering
• Progress bar support (carriage return handling)

Keyboard Input

When a program is waiting for input:

• Type characters (displayed in white)
• Press Enter to send the line to the program
• Press Backspace to delete characters
• Press Ctrl+D (Unix) or Ctrl+Z (Windows) to send end-of-file

Copying from the Console

Select text with the mouse, then press Cmd/Ctrl+C.

AI Assistant

The integrated AI assistant provides coding help with context awareness.

Showing/Hiding the Panel

Toggle the AI panel via Help → AI Assistant (checkbox menu item). The panel appears on the right side of the window.

Using the Chat

1. Type your question or request in the input area at the bottom
2. Press Enter to send (Shift+Enter for a newline)
3. The AI response appears in the chat area above

Press the Clear button to reset the conversation history.

Context Awareness

The AI automatically receives:

• Your current source code from the editor
• The generated code shown in the preview panel (if any)
• Recent console output

This allows it to understand your program and provide relevant suggestions.

Code Suggestions

When the AI suggests code changes, a collapsible code block appears with:

• Show/Hide toggle to expand or collapse the code
• Allow button — applies the suggested code to your editor
• Reject button — discards the suggestion

Canceling a Request

While the AI is "thinking" (pulsing icon animation), click the ✕ button to cancel the request.

Status Bar

The bottom of the AI panel shows character counts for the context being sent:

• LLM System Prompt size
• Current Program size
• Preview Program size
• Current Output size

Supported LLM Vendors

Configure your preferred AI vendor and model in Settings:

Settings

Open Settings via:

• CodegenIDE → Settings

Fonts

LLM Settings

The model list updates automatically when you change vendor or API key.

Syntax Colors

Nine configurable color categories for syntax highlighting:

Click a color swatch to open a color picker, or type a hex color code directly.

Console Colors

• Foreground — default text color in the console
• Background — console background color

Chat Colors

• User Prompt — background color for your chat bubbles
• AI Response — background color for AI response bubbles

Developer Tools

Configure paths to compilers and runtimes. Leave a field empty to use auto-detection. Use the Browse button to select a specific executable.

Window Management

Multiple Windows

• File → New (Cmd/Ctrl+N) — opens a new empty CodegenIDE window
• Each window is independent with its own editor, console, and preview

Window Menu

Below the separator, all open windows are listed. The current window is shown with a checkmark and bold text. Click any window name to bring it to the front.

Layout Persistence

Window size and all divider positions (editor/console split, editor/preview split, AI panel width) are saved automatically when you close a window and restored on next launch.

File Management

Saving

Modified File Indicator

The Save menu item is only enabled when the file has unsaved changes. When you close a window or open a different file with unsaved changes, you'll be prompted to save.

Generated Files

Generated source files are stored in a gen/ subdirectory relative to your .src file:

myproject/
├── hello.src          ← Your Codegen source
└── gen/
    ├── hello.cpp
    ├── hello.java
    ├── hello.js
    ├── hello.pl
    ├── hello.py
    ├── hello.rs
    ├── hello.swift
    ├── Utils.hpp      ← Utility libraries (copied automatically)
    ├── Utils.jar
    └── ...

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference

Platform Notes

macOS

• Uses the native system menu bar
• About, Settings, and Quit are in the application menu
• Double-clicking .src files in Finder opens them in a new CodegenIDE window
• Input method auto-correction is disabled in the editor

Windows

• Application menu items (About, Settings, License Key, Quit) appear in a "CodegenIDE" menu
• MSI installer registers .src file association

Linux

• Requires X11 (XWayland supported)
• WM_CLASS is set for proper taskbar integration
• DEB/RPM packages register .src file association

©2026 Richard Lesh. All rights reserved.

Codgen Language | Pure Programmer | Glowing Cat Software