vscode-screenshots

name	vscode-screenshots
description	Captures VSCode window screenshots using a semi-automated workflow. Use this when asked to capture, document, or screenshot VSCode, terminal output, or other desktop application states.

VSCode Screenshot Capture

Capture screenshots of Visual Studio Code using a semi-automated workflow. This skill displays setup instructions to the user, waits for confirmation, then captures the active VSCode window.

When to Use

Use this skill when the user asks you to:

• Capture a screenshot of VSCode in a specific state
• Document VSCode UI elements (Source Control, Extensions, Copilot Chat, etc.)
• Take screenshots of terminal output
• Capture any desktop application window (not just browsers)

For web pages and browser content, use the browser-screenshots skill instead.

How to Capture

Use the capture script located at .github/skills/vscode-screenshots/scripts/capture.cjs.

Basic Usage

node .github/skills/vscode-screenshots/scripts/capture.cjs \
  --output static/screenshots/week-1/vscode-welcome.png \
  --instructions "Show the VSCode Welcome tab"

The script will:

1. Display the setup instructions in a formatted box
2. Wait for the user to press Enter
3. Capture the active VSCode window
4. Save to the specified output path

Options

Option	Description	Default
--output	Output file path (required)	-
--instructions	Setup instructions for the user	"Set up VSCode as needed"
--delay	Seconds to wait after Enter before capture (with countdown)	5
--width	Suggested window width (displayed in instructions)	1280
--height	Suggested window height (displayed in instructions)	800

Examples

Capture the Source Control panel:

node .github/skills/vscode-screenshots/scripts/capture.cjs \
  --output static/screenshots/week-1/vscode-source-control.png \
  --instructions "Open Source Control panel: Cmd+Shift+G (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+G (Linux/Windows)"

Capture Extensions marketplace:

node .github/skills/vscode-screenshots/scripts/capture.cjs \
  --output static/screenshots/week-1/vscode-extensions.png \
  --instructions "Open Extensions: Cmd+Shift+X (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+X (Linux/Windows)"

Capture Copilot Chat panel:

node .github/skills/vscode-screenshots/scripts/capture.cjs \
  --output static/screenshots/week-1/vscode-copilot-chat.png \
  --instructions "Open Copilot Chat: Cmd+Shift+I (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+I (Linux/Windows)"

Capture a specific file open:

node .github/skills/vscode-screenshots/scripts/capture.cjs \
  --output static/screenshots/week-1/vscode-readme.png \
  --instructions "Open README.md in the editor"

Capture with custom dimensions reminder:

node .github/skills/vscode-screenshots/scripts/capture.cjs \
  --output static/screenshots/week-1/vscode-wide.png \
  --width 1440 \
  --height 900 \
  --instructions "Resize window to approximately 1440x900, then show the file explorer"

Common VSCode Keyboard Shortcuts

Include these in your instructions to help users:

Action	Mac	Linux/Windows
File Explorer	Cmd+Shift+E	Ctrl+Shift+E
Source Control	Cmd+Shift+G	Ctrl+Shift+G
Extensions	Cmd+Shift+X	Ctrl+Shift+X
Copilot Chat	Cmd+Shift+I	Ctrl+Shift+I
Terminal	Cmd+`	Ctrl+`
Problems	Cmd+Shift+M	Ctrl+Shift+M
Command Palette	Cmd+Shift+P	Ctrl+Shift+P
Markdown Preview	Cmd+Shift+V	Ctrl+Shift+V

Saving Screenshots

Save to /static/screenshots/week-{week}/ with descriptive kebab-case filenames.

Naming convention:

• ✅ vscode-source-control.png
• ✅ vscode-readme-preview.png
• ✅ vscode-copilot-response.png
• ❌ VSCodeSourceControl.png

Directory structure:

static/screenshots/
  week-1/
    vscode-welcome.png
    vscode-source-control.png
    github-homepage.png  (from browser-screenshots)
  week-2/
    ...

Embedding in Tutorials

When embedding in .svx files, use the Screenshot component without browser chrome:

<script>
  import Screenshot from '$lib/components/Screenshot.svelte';
</script>

<Screenshot 
  src="/screenshots/week-1/vscode-source-control.png" 
  alt="VSCode Source Control panel showing staged changes"
  showChrome={false}
/>

Note: VSCode screenshots should use showChrome={false} since they already have the VSCode window frame.

Platform Support

Platform	Screenshot Method
macOS	screencapture with window ID from AppleScript
Linux	gnome-screenshot, scrot, or ImageMagick import
Windows	Not yet supported (manual screenshots required)

The script auto-detects the platform and uses the appropriate tool.

Linux Dependencies

On Linux, ensure one of these tools is installed:

• gnome-screenshot (GNOME desktop)
• scrot (sudo apt install scrot)
• import from ImageMagick (sudo apt install imagemagick)
• xdotool for active window detection (sudo apt install xdotool)

Limitations

• Semi-automated: Requires user interaction (cannot run unattended)
• Active window only: Captures whichever window is focused
• Cannot capture: OS dialogs, authentication popups, tooltips
• Windows: Not yet supported

Troubleshooting

"No screenshot tool found": Install one of the supported tools (see Linux Dependencies)

Screenshot shows wrong window: Make sure VSCode is the active/focused window when the countdown finishes

Window dimensions wrong: The script shows suggested dimensions; manually resize VSCode before capturing

Workflow Tips

When running from Cline (VSCode integrated terminal):

1. Run the capture command - the instruction box appears
2. Press Enter to start the 5-second countdown
3. Quickly navigate away from the terminal tab (click on an editor tab or use Cmd+1)
4. Set up the VSCode view you want during the countdown
5. When the interactive capture triggers, click on the VSCode window

The 5-second default delay gives you time to switch away from the terminal output before the screenshot is taken. You can adjust with --delay 10 for more time or --delay 0 to capture immediately.