A standalone desktop code editor with Pointer branding, Pointer app IDs, Pointer data folders, and Pointer release artifacts.
Quick Start | Features | Tech Stack | PointerIDE Repos | Builds | Docs
Pointer is an independent editor distribution built from the Pointer-Core codebase. It keeps the familiar layered editor architecture, Monaco editor foundation, extension model, terminal stack, and desktop integration, while shipping as its own product.
Pointer is not an official Microsoft product, is not Microsoft-signed, and does not use the official Microsoft Marketplace. Product identity lives in product.json, including the app name, data folders, URL protocol, Windows IDs, server name, tunnel name, themes, and built-in extensions.
| Goal | Command | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Start existing dev output | run\start.bat |
Launches the app only. No watcher, install, rebuild, or compile. |
| Start live dev mode | run\start-dev.bat |
Ensures dependencies, starts the watcher, and launches Pointer. |
| Stop dev processes | run\dev-stop.bat |
Stops Pointer dev watchers and app processes for this repo. |
| Build portable release | run\build-pointer.bat |
Creates a packaged app under .build\artifacts\. |
| Build ZIP + installer | run\build-pointer.bat --Zip --Installer |
Creates portable, ZIP, and Inno Setup installer artifacts. |
| Area | Included |
|---|---|
| Editor core | Monaco-based editing, syntax highlighting, navigation, search, command system |
| Desktop app | Electron shell, native menus, app icon, Windows packaging, Pointer URI protocol |
| Terminal | Integrated terminal powered by xterm.js and native pty integration |
| Extensions | Built-in language, Git, Markdown, theme, notebook, media, and developer tooling extensions |
| Agent workflows | Agent sessions and chat/session infrastructure under src/vs/sessions/ and workbench chat areas |
| Themes | Pointer onboarding themes configured in product.json and theme defaults |
| Release pipeline | Local Node runtime, native rebuilds, Electron download, Gulp packaging, ASAR, rcedit, Inno Setup |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Display name | Pointer |
| Application name | pointer |
| User data folder | .pointer |
| Shared data folder | .pointer-shared |
| URL protocol | pointer:// |
| Windows AppUserModelId | Pointer.Pointer |
| Server app | pointer-server |
| Tunnel app | pointer-tunnel |
| Layer | Stack |
|---|---|
| Language | TypeScript, JavaScript, Rust CLI pieces, PowerShell/Bat scripts |
| Runtime | Node.js 22.22.1, Electron 39.8.8 |
| UI/editor | Pointer workbench, Monaco editor, xterm.js, Codicons |
| Build system | npm, Gulp 4, esbuild transpile path, ASAR packaging |
| Native build | node-gyp, MSVC, Visual Studio 2022 C++ Desktop Workload |
| Installer | Inno Setup, Windows resources, rcedit |
| Testing | Mocha, Playwright, smoke tests, integration tests, layer checks |
| Path | Purpose |
|---|---|
src/vs/base/ |
Foundation utilities and cross-platform primitives |
src/vs/platform/ |
Services, dependency injection, storage, files, telemetry, platform APIs |
src/vs/editor/ |
Monaco editor core |
src/vs/workbench/ |
Main app shell, views, commands, services, extension API |
src/vs/code/ |
Electron desktop startup and main process |
src/vs/server/ |
Server and remote entry points |
src/vs/sessions/ |
Agent sessions window and agentic workflows |
extensions/ |
Built-in extensions and themes |
build/ |
Gulp tasks, package logic, Electron download, CI helpers |
scripts/ |
Lower-level PowerShell, Bat, Node, and shell helpers |
run/ |
Human-friendly Windows entrypoints |
docs/ |
Pointer project, stack, and release documentation |
| Repository | Description |
|---|---|
| Pointer | Main IDE |
| PointerAssets | Brand and media assets |
| PointerDeprecated | Legacy desktop app and CLI |
| PointerDiscordBot | Discord bots |
| PointerWebsite | Marketing and documentation site |
Release output is written to .build\artifacts\.
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
.build\artifacts\Pointer-win32-x64\ |
Portable app folder |
.build\artifacts\Pointer-win32-x64.zip |
Optional portable ZIP |
.build\artifacts\PointerSetup-x64-<version>.exe |
Optional Windows installer |
Build logs are stored under .codex-tools\logs\. The latest run is referenced by .codex-tools\logs\latest-run.txt.
- docs/PROJECT_GUIDE.md - complete human and coding-AI project guide
- docs/TECH_STACK.md - short technical stack and ownership map
- docs/RELEASE.md - release build, artifacts, logs, and troubleshooting
- docs/LAUNCH_CHECKLIST.md - public release readiness and smoke-test checklist
- AGENTS.md - root instructions for coding agents
- .github/copilot-instructions.md - Copilot-style coding agent rules
- CONTRIBUTING.md - contribution workflow and review checklist
| Change area | First check |
|---|---|
src/ TypeScript |
npm run compile-check-ts-native |
extensions/ TypeScript |
npm run gulp compile-extensions |
build/ TypeScript |
cd build && npm run typecheck |
| Architecture/layers | npm run valid-layers-check |
| Unit tests | scripts\test.bat --grep <pattern> |
Contributions should keep the Pointer product identity intact, follow the existing layered architecture, keep changes scoped, and validate TypeScript changes before test runs.
Start with CONTRIBUTING.md and docs/PROJECT_GUIDE.md.
Pointer retains the original MIT license for upstream-derived code and ships as an independently branded product.
Windows release builds are currently unsigned. Verify installers and ZIP archives from the official Pointer GitHub Releases page before installing.