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Binean Nova VS Code Extension

VS Code Marketplace: Binean Nova Extension

Introduction​

The Binean Nova Extension turns VS Code into the primary working hub for Ingenium development and operations.

Nexus is used mainly by developers, so the first UI priority is a VS Code extension, not a separate web UI. This approach fits day-to-day work better and enables deeper integration with COBOL coding, build, and debugging flows.

The extension is not only an IDE add-on. It also acts as a practical UI layer for Nexus command-line tools and server-side management services.

Why Extension-First (Instead of Web UI)​

  • The main Nexus users are developers working directly in code
  • VS Code allows tighter integration with COBOL edit/build/debug workflows
  • Commands, diagnostics, and diffs are available in one place without context switching
  • The extension can orchestrate CLI workflows while still giving teams a friendly operational UI

Role in the Nexus Architecture​

At a high level:

  • The extension prepares and standardizes Ingenium project setup
  • After setup, developers can call Nexus tools from command line (best and most complete operational mode)
  • On each machine running Ingenium, Nexus can start an isman manager service
  • Developers use corresponding CLI tools to control those isman services
  • The extension provides UI views for key isman operations so teams can monitor/control faster in VS Code

This model keeps CLI as the execution backbone while using VS Code as the daily control surface.

Activity Bar - Nova Panel​

The extension adds a dedicated Binean Nova panel in the VS Code Activity Bar with three practical views:

  • Changes: track differences between the current branch and the baseline to support branch validation
  • Items: manage test items and branch-level merge preparation workflows
  • Ingenium Management: monitor and control server/database operations through the management layer

This panel gives developers an operational UI in VS Code while keeping CLI execution as the backbone.

Core User Workflows​

The extension focuses on the daily workflows developers use most:

  • One-command environment initialization
  • Smart build for changed COBOL files (including build shortcut flow)
  • Single-file compile from editor context
  • Integrated COBOL debugging flow
  • Branch-aware change tracking (baseline vs current branch)
  • Item/branch support for validation before merge
  • Ingenium management views to start/stop services and monitor tasks
  • Real-time database/policy task monitoring through the management layer

Detailed behavior, command list, and setup steps are maintained in extension documentation.

Prerequisites and Detailed Setup​

Prerequisites are maintained in the extension documentation and do not need to be duplicated in this page.

Scope of This Page​

This page is an overview of the extension's role in Nexus.

Component-level technical details are intentionally documented in dedicated pages and guides.

Summary​

The Binean Nova VS Code Extension is the developer-first UI for Nexus:

  • Deeply integrated with COBOL development workflows
  • Designed to work with CLI-based operations, not replace them
  • Provides practical UI views over isman and related operational tasks
  • Reduces friction between coding, debugging, and environment operations