Codex JS Autocomment is a VS Code extension that uses Codex to add concise JSDoc comments to selected JavaScript code, following either the extension settings or the project AGENTS.md rules.
- Comment selected JavaScript functions, classes, or methods
- Generate concise JSDoc directly above the selected code
- Use custom prompt instructions from VS Code settings
- Optionally use the project
AGENTS.mdfile as the instruction source - Replace the selected code with the commented version when Codex completes
- Keep working in other files while Codex is running
This extension is designed for JavaScript and Node.js workflows.
Codex JS Autocomment is built specifically for Codex. It is not a generic AI extension and is not intended to work with other AI CLIs by only changing the command path.
The extension depends on the OpenAI ChatGPT extension for VS Code:
"extensionDependencies": [
"openai.chatgpt"
]The default prompt and comment language are written in Italian. If you want to use the extension in another language, update both:
codexJsAutocomment.instructionscodexJsAutocomment.commentLanguage
Select a JavaScript function, class, or method in the editor.
Open the Command Palette:
F1 or Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on macOS)
Type Codex JS Autocomment and run:
- Codex JS Autocomment: Comment selected function
You can also use the default keybinding:
Ctrl+Alt+C
The extension provides the following command:
codex-js-autocomment.commentSelection
You can configure the extension in:
File > Preferences > Settings > search "Codex JS Autocomment"
Choose where the prompt instructions come from:
"codexJsAutocomment.instructionsSource": "settings"Available values:
settings: use the text fromcodexJsAutocomment.instructionsagents: use the projectAGENTS.mdfile when it exists
If agents is selected but AGENTS.md does not exist in the workspace root, the extension falls back to the settings instructions and shows a notification.
The bundled default instructions are in Italian:
"codexJsAutocomment.instructions": "Aggiungi JSDoc conciso e utile immediatamente sopra la funzione, classe o metodo interessato.\nSpiega lo scopo, i vincoli rilevanti, gli effetti collaterali e i comportamenti non evidenti.\nUsa @param solo quando esistono parametri.\nUsa @returns solo quando la funzione restituisce un valore significativo.\nUsa @throws solo quando la funzione può realmente generare un'eccezione.\nUsa tipi precisi.\nNon modificare l'implementazione, salvo richiesta esplicita.\nEvita documentazione eccessiva per getter, setter o funzioni autoesplicative.\nRestituisci solo il codice aggiornato, senza spiegazioni."Foreign-language users should translate this prompt and set their preferred comment language.
Example:
{
"codexJsAutocomment.commentLanguage": "English",
"codexJsAutocomment.instructions": "Add concise and useful JSDoc immediately above the selected function, class, or method.\nExplain purpose, relevant constraints, side effects, and non-obvious behavior.\nUse @param only when parameters exist.\nUse @returns only when the function returns a meaningful value.\nUse @throws only when the function can actually throw an exception.\nUse precise types.\nDo not change the implementation unless explicitly requested.\nAvoid excessive documentation for getters, setters, or self-explanatory functions.\nReturn only the updated code, without explanations."
}By default, the extension uses:
"codexJsAutocomment.codexCommand": "codex"When this value is left as codex, the extension also tries to find the Codex binary bundled with the OpenAI ChatGPT extension for VS Code.
Use a custom path only when needed:
"codexJsAutocomment.codexCommand": "/path/to/codex"The extension defines this default keybinding:
{
"key": "ctrl+alt+c",
"command": "codex-js-autocomment.commentSelection",
"when": "editorTextFocus && editorHasSelection"
}You can change it in:
Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts
This extension works only in VS Code Desktop. It is not supported in VS Code Web (vscode.dev / github.dev).
It requires Codex to be available through the OpenAI ChatGPT extension or through a local Codex command.
- Selected code is sent to Codex for processing
- The extension asks Codex to return only the updated code
- The original selection is replaced only when the original document has not changed while Codex was running
- Codex startup can be slower than dedicated documentation tools because the CLI is launched for each request
- Shorter custom instructions usually make comment generation faster
- Use
codexJsAutocomment.instructionsSource: "settings"when you do not need project-levelAGENTS.mdrules, because loading project context can add latency
Writing useful JSDoc is repetitive, but project rules matter. Codex JS Autocomment gives you a quick shortcut for selected JavaScript code while keeping your project instructions, language, and documentation style configurable.
Lorenzo "Saibal" Forti - lorenzo.forti@gmail.com
