Claro/docs/EDITOR_EXTENSION_PLAN.md

Claro Editor and IDE Support Plan

Current release: Claro v1.18.26

Claro has an IDE metadata/helper foundation. It does not yet have a complete editor extension or LSP experience.

Ready now

• claro ide
• metadata JSON
• completion list
• diagnostics helper
• formatter/checker commands that editor tools can call

Goal

Give beginners fast, friendly feedback while they type, without requiring them to understand compiler internals.

Suggested phases

1. Syntax highlighting grammar for .claro files.
2. Editor snippets for common beginner patterns.
3. On-save claro check diagnostics.
4. Formatter integration.
5. Hover help from command metadata.
6. Code actions for common mistakes such as PRNT -> SAY.
7. LSP server only after the metadata and diagnostics formats are stable.

Beginner safety rules

• Messages should explain the fix, not just the error.
• Suggestions should prefer modern simple syntax.
• Editor tooling should never run network commands unless the user explicitly asks.
• Lessons should still work from the terminal without an editor extension.

See also:

• IDE.md
• CURRENT_STATUS.md
• ROADMAP.md