GWT Helper for VS Code

Streamline your GWT (Google Web Toolkit) development workflow with direct access to essential tools right from VS Code.

✨ Features

• Smart Project Detection - Automatic identification of GWT and Jetty projects in your workspace
• Integrated Development Tools - Seamlessly manage GWT DevMode and CodeServer
• Maven Integration - Execute Maven commands for GWT tasks with a single click
• Jetty Server Control - Start, stop, and monitor Jetty server instances
• Debugging Support - Integrated Chrome/Firefox debugging with source maps
• Intuitive UI - Dedicated sidebar for quick access to all functionality

🚀 Quick Start

1. Install the extension from the VS Code Marketplace
2. Open a folder containing GWT projects
3. Click the GWT icon in the activity bar
4. Select "Refresh Projects" to detect your GWT and Jetty projects
5. Choose a project and start developing!

📋 Requirements

• Java JDK (Java 8 or newer)
• Maven (installed and available in PATH or configured in settings)
• GWT project with Maven configuration

🔧 Installation

1. Launch VS Code
2. Open Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
3. Search for "GWT Helper"
4. Click Install

📘 Detailed Usage

GWT Helper Sidebar

The extension adds a GWT icon to your activity bar that opens a sidebar with these features:

Global Actions

• 🔄 Refresh Projects - Scan workspace for GWT and Jetty projects
• ⏹️ Stop All - Terminate all running processes
• 🐞 Open Debug - Start a debugging session
• ⚙️ Configs - Access extension settings

Project-Specific Actions

For GWT Projects:

• ▶️/⏹️ DevMode - Start or stop GWT DevMode
• ▶️/⏹️ CodeServer - Manage Super Dev Mode
• ▶️/⏹️ Compile - Compile your GWT application

For Jetty Projects:

• ▶️/⏹️ Jetty - Control the Jetty web server

Command Palette Integration

Access all functions through the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) with these commands:

• GWT: Refresh Projects
• GWT: Run/Stop Compile
• GWT: Init/Stop DevMode
• GWT: Init/Stop CodeServer
• GWT: Init/Stop Jetty
• GWT: Stop All
• GWT: Open Debug
• GWT: Show Logs
• GWT: Open Settings

🔍 Debugging

Integrated debugging support makes development easier:

1. Start DevMode or CodeServer for your project
2. Select "Open Debug" from the sidebar
3. Choose your project
4. Begin debugging with automatic source map configuration

⚙️ Configuration Options

Setting	Description	Default
gwtHelper.javaPath	Java installation path	java
gwtHelper.mavenCommand	Maven command or path	"" (uses 'mvn')
gwtHelper.devModeGoals	Maven goals for DevMode	gwt:devmode
gwtHelper.codeServerGoals	Maven goals for CodeServer	gwt:codeserver
gwtHelper.jettyGoals	Maven goals for Jetty	jetty:run
gwtHelper.compileGoals	Maven goals for compilation	gwt:compile
gwtHelper.debugUrl	URL for debugging	http://localhost:8080
gwtHelper.debugBrowser	Browser for debugging	chrome

🔎 Advanced Features

Intelligent Process Management

• Automatic Port Detection - No manual configuration needed
• Integrated Logging - Color-coded output in VS Code terminals
• Error Handling - Detailed logs and troubleshooting suggestions

Project Detection Logic

The extension identifies:

• GWT Projects: Projects with gwt-maven-plugin in pom.xml
• Jetty Projects: Projects with Jetty plugins in pom.xml

🛠️ Troubleshooting

Common Issues

• Maven not found - Ensure Maven is in PATH or configure path in settings
• Java issues - Verify correct Java path in settings
• Port conflicts - Check for processes using required ports

Debug Logs

If you encounter problems:

1. Click "Show Logs" in the sidebar
2. Review the output for errors and suggestions

📝 Release Notes

0.3.6

• Added process history and management
• Enhanced UI with statistics and process tracking

0.3.3

• Updated documentation
• Improved Java error detection and logging

0.3.2

• Added automatic port detection
• Enhanced UI with status indicators

0.3.1

• Fixed process management on Windows
• Improved project detection

0.3.0

• Added Jetty integration
• Enhanced debugger configuration

0.2.0

• Fixed debugger to handle projects inside and outside workspace

0.1.0

• Initial release

👥 Contributing

This extension is open source! Contributions are welcome on the GitHub repository.

📄 License

Licensed under the MIT License.

✍️ Author

Created by Rhuan Hianc

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Note: This project is under active development. Feedback and contributions are appreciated!

Telemetry Temporary

This extension collects anonymous usage data to help improve the product. We only collect:

• Extension installs
• Extension activations
• Feature usage (e.g., compiling a project, running DevMode, etc.)

We do not collect any query content, database settings, or personal information.

You can disable telemetry in the extension settings or in VS Code.