> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://coldbox.ortusbooks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://coldbox.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/agentic-development/boxlang-ide.md).

# BoxLang IDE

BoxLang IDE — VS Code tooling for BoxLang and ColdBox development with language intelligence and AI integration.

The **BoxLang IDE** is the official VS Code extension for BoxLang and ColdBox development: syntax highlighting, language intelligence, debugging, and AI-assisted coding in one package.

📖 **Full documentation:** [boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/ide-tooling/boxlang-ide](https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/ide-tooling/boxlang-ide)

## Install

Search for **BoxLang** in the VS Code marketplace, or install from the command line:

```bash
code --install-extension ortus-solutions.vscode-boxlang
```

The extension pack includes the BoxLang language server (LSP), so you get completions, hover docs, diagnostics, and navigation for `.bx`, `.bxm`, `.bxs`, `.cfc`, and `.cfm` files.

## Why It Matters for ColdBox

* **BoxLang-first development** — first-class support for the language ColdBox is optimized for
* **AI-ready** — pairs with GitHub Copilot and the [CLI's AI integration](/getting-started/agentic-development/coldbox-cli-ai-setup.md), so your assistant sees both the codebase and ColdBox conventions
* **Debugging** — breakpoints and step-through for BoxLang web and CLI apps
* **Templates & tooling** — scaffolding and CommandBox integration from the editor

## Recommended Setup

1. Install the BoxLang IDE extension
2. Install the ColdBox CLI: `box install coldbox-cli`
3. Run `coldbox ai install` in your project
4. Enable your AI agent of choice (Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor…)

Your editor now has language intelligence *and* project-aware AI.

## See Also

* [Agentic Development](/getting-started/agentic-development.md) — the full agent toolkit
* [ColdBox CLI](/getting-started/coldbox-cli.md)


---

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