Will Project IDX really replace VS Code?

What is Project IDX?

Recently, Google announced about its VS Code competitor, Project IDX. Curently, it's in Beta, and weirdly enough, I got access to use it. I've been using it for quite a few days, and ngl, I'm kind of loving it. Join me as we delve into the world of Project IDX, exploring its features, assessing its strengths and weaknesses, and pondering the question on every developer's mind: Could Project IDX truly replace Visual Studio Code?

Initial Impressions and Features

Project IDX, Google's answer to Visual Studio Code (VS Code), has garnered attention with its recent beta release. Unlike VS Code, Project IDX distinguishes itself as an online IDE, offering a seamless development experience directly within the browser at here.

However, it's worth noting that Project IDX is currently in beta, which means access is limited. Interested developers must join a waitlist and hope for the chance to explore its capabilities. This exclusivity adds an element of anticipation, fueling speculation about its potential impact on the developer community.

User Experience

Project IDX presents itself with a sleek and intuitive interface, aligning with Google's design ethos. Navigation feels smooth, contributing to a more seamless development experience. In fact, I find the design of IDX to be a notable improvement over Google's general design language, adding an extra layer of appeal to the overall experience.

Performance

Performance-wise, Project IDX impresses with its speed and responsiveness. Tasks like code editing and debugging are executed swiftly, enhancing overall productivity. One significant advantage lies in its cloud-hosted computing, meaning none of the user's resources are burdened with heavy computation tasks. This architecture leads to a noticeable bump in performance, allowing developers to work more efficiently.

Feature Set

Project IDX boasts a feature-rich environment, comparable to VS Code. It leverages Nix as its backend engine, providing robust functionality for code editing, debugging, and other development tasks. Additionally, for extensions, Project IDX integrates with open-vsx.org, offering a wide range of plugins to enhance the IDE's capabilities. We'll delve deeper into these features and their implications later in our discussion. From syntax highlighting and code completion to Git integration and debugging tools, Project IDX caters to the diverse needs of modern software development.

Getting Started with Project IDX

Now that we've discussed the initial impressions and features of Project IDX, let's dive into a walkthrough of how to get started with the IDE. If you're fortunate enough to gain access to Project IDX, here's a step-by-step guide on making your first project:

1. Accessing Project IDX

   Firstly, navigate to Project IDX Page and log in with your Google account. If you're on the waitlist, keep an eye out for an invitation to access the beta version.

2. Creating a New Project

   Once logged in, you'll be greeted with the Project IDX dashboard. To create a new project, you have two options:

   • Choose a Template: From the main page, essential templates like Angular, Next.js, Gemini, and more are readily available. Simply click on the template of your choice to start a new project based on that template.

   • Explore More Templates: If you're looking for additional options, click on the "See all templates" button. Here, you'll find a wider selection of templates covering various project types, including web applications, mobile apps, and backend services. Scroll through the available templates and choose the one that best suits your project requirements.

   

   

   

   

   

   For demonstration purposes, let's create a blank project from the "Misc" category. After selecting the template, you'll be prompted to name your workspace. Once named, simply hit create to initiate the project setup. Now, it will take a few seconds to set up the project, and once done, you'll be redirected to the project workspace.

3. Exploring the Workspace

   Upon entering the workspace, you'll notice a familiar layout, resembling that of VS Code. One interesting aspect is that instead of using GitHub Copilot, Project IDX leverages their own Project IDX AI.

   I've been using Project IDX for a few days now, and unfortunately, it is not as good as GitHub Copilot. It may do the job for simple tasks, but for complex tasks, it's not as reliable as GitHub Copilot. I hope they improve it in the future.

   

   The workspace is equipped with a file explorer, code editor, terminal, and debugging tools, providing a comprehensive environment for software development. You can start coding right away, leveraging the features and capabilities of Project IDX to bring your projects to life.

4. Exploring Extensions

   Project IDX offers a wide range of extensions to enhance the IDE's capabilities. To explore available extensions, click on the extensions icon in the sidebar. Here, you can search for extensions, install them, and manage your existing extensions. The integration with open-vsx.org ensures a rich library of extensions, catering to various development needs.

   VS Code doesn't use open-vsx.org, and instead, it uses the official VS Code Marketplace. As a result, some extensions may not be available in Project IDX, which could be a deal-breaker for some developers.