VS Code Extension
The Doodle Engine VS Code extension adds syntax highlighting for .dlg dialogue files, so keywords, speakers, conditions, and comments each get their own color while you write. It is distributed as a VSIX installation file with the @doodle-engine/cli package, so every project that has installed its dependencies already has it on disk.
This page is for the CLI and text editor workflow. Doodle Studio has its own built-in .dlg highlighting and IntelliSense; Studio users do not need this extension.
What It Highlights
Section titled “What It Highlights”| Element | Example |
|---|---|
Structure keywords (NODE, CHOICE, IF, END) |
NODE start |
Flow keywords (TRIGGER, REQUIRE, GOTO) |
GOTO rumors |
Effect keywords (SET, ADD, REMOVE, MOVE, CLEAR, ADVANCE, START, ROLL) |
ADD variable gold -5 |
Media keywords (MUSIC, SOUND, VOICE, VIDEO, NOTIFY, INTERLUDE) |
MUSIC tension.ogg |
| Speaker names | BARTENDER: |
Condition types (hasFlag, questAtStage, variableGreaterThan, etc.) |
REQUIRE hasFlag metBartender |
Effect targets (flag, variable, questStage, item, etc.) |
SET flag seenIntro |
| Localization keys | @bartender.greeting |
| Quoted strings | "Hello, traveler!" |
| Numbers | -5, 20 |
| Comments | # This is a comment |
The extension also enables:
- Line comment toggling with
Ctrl+/(Cmd+/on macOS) - Auto-closing double quotes
Installation
Section titled “Installation”The extension is bundled with the @doodle-engine/cli npm package. After running npm install (or yarn/pnpm) in your project:
- Open VS Code
- Open the Command Palette (
Ctrl+Shift+P/Cmd+Shift+P) - Run Extensions: Install from VSIX…
- Open
node_modules/@doodle-engine/cli/extensions/in your project and selectdoodle-dlg-syntax.vsix
Then reload VS Code. Open any .dlg file in your project: keywords such as NODE and CHOICE appear in their own colors, and Ctrl+/ toggles line comments. If the file stays one color, check that its extension is .dlg and that the VSIX installed without errors.