---
slug: "wcgw"
source_type: "readme"
source_url: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/rusiaaman/wcgw-vscode@main/README.md"
repo: "https://github.com/rusiaaman/wcgw-vscode"
source_file: "README.md"
branch: "main"
---
# WCGW

A Mac only VS Code extension that helps you share code snippets with context to Claude. Designed to work with wcgw mcp 
https://github.com/rusiaaman/wcgw.git


## Features

- Share code snippets from editor with context to Claude
- Share terminal output with context
- Add helpful instructions or descriptions for each share
- Works with editor or terminal selections
- **NEW**: Automatic detection and attachment to WCGW screen sessions
- **NEW**: Polling mechanism to automatically connect to matching screen sessions
- **NEW**: Custom terminal icons to distinguish WCGW screen terminals

## How to Use


### For Editor Content
1. Select code in the editor you want to share
2. Press `Cmd+'` or run command "WCGW: Send Editor Selection to Application"
3. Enter helpful text/instructions (or press Escape for default)
4. Extension will:
   - Switch to Claude
   - Type your instructions
   - Include selected code and context information
5. Press `Cmd+Shift+'` to copy the selected code with additional context:
   - Repository structure
   - Frequently relevant files (e.g., package.json, pyproject.toml, Readme.md, etc., listing at least 20 such files)


### For Terminal Output
1. Select text in the terminal
2. Press `Cmd+'` (Mac) or run command "WCGW: Send Terminal Selection to Application"
3. Enter helpful text/instructions (or press Escape for default)
4. Extension will:
   - Switch to Claude
   - Type your instructions
   - Include terminal output and context information
5. Press `Cmd+Shift+'` to copy terminal output with additional context:
   - Repository structure
   - Frequently relevant files (e.g., package.json, pyproject.toml, Readme.md, etc., listing at least 20 such files)

### For WCGW Screen Sessions
The extension automatically detects and attaches to WCGW screen sessions that match your current workspace:

1. **Automatic Detection**: The extension polls every 5 seconds for new screen sessions
2. **Workspace Matching**: Only attaches to sessions where the hash and basename match your current workspace
3. **Visual Distinction**: WCGW screen terminals show with a desktop icon and "WCGW Screen: [basename]" name
4. **Manual Commands**: 
   - Run "WCGW: Check and Attach to Screen Sessions" to manually check
   - Run "WCGW: Toggle Screen Session Polling" to enable/disable automatic polling

**Screen Session Format**: Sessions must follow the pattern `PID.wcgw.TIMESTAMP.HASH.BASENAME`
- Example: `555.wcgw.24-15h06m22s.be7.claude_playground`


## Example Output

### Editor Selection
```
Your instructions or "Here's the code to analyze."

---
Workspace path: /path/to/workspace
---
File path: /path/to/file
---
Selected code:
```
[your selected code]
```
```

### Terminal Selection
```
Your instructions or "Here's the terminal output to analyze."

---
Workspace path: /path/to/workspace
---
Terminal output:
```
[your terminal selection]
```
```

## Extension Settings

This extension contributes the following settings:

* `wcgw.targetApplication`: Name of the application to send code to (default: "Claude")
* `wcgw.screenPollingEnabled`: Enable automatic polling for WCGW screen sessions (default: true)
* `wcgw.screenPollingInterval`: Interval in milliseconds for checking screen sessions (default: 5000)

## Requirements

- macOS (required for automatic application switching)
- VS Code 1.85.0 or higher

## Known Issues

- macOS only currently

## Release Notes

### 0.4.0

Added WCGW screen session integration:
- Automatic detection and attachment to matching screen sessions
- Polling mechanism with configurable intervals
- Custom terminal icons for WCGW screen sessions
- Manual commands for checking and toggling screen polling
- Workspace-based session matching using hash and basename

### 0.1.0

Added features:
- Split into separate editor and terminal commands
- New keybinding (Cmd+Shift+') for terminal selections
- Improved error messages and context information
- Better formatting of output

### 0.0.1

Initial release with features:
- Code sharing with custom instructions
- Works with or without code selection
- File and workspace context
- Reliable text entry through keyboard simulation