RangeLink v1.0.0: Perfected AI Workflows + The R-Keybinding Family

Source: Dev.to

TL;DR – One keybinding truly rules them all, and the workflow is now seamless.

🎯 Perfected Paste Destinations (Major UX Improvement)

The manual Cmd+V step that broke the flow is gone for all AI chat destinations.

🤖 GitHub Copilot Chat Integration (3rd AI Chat Option)

• Paste destination for GitHub Copilot Chat is now supported.
• You can pick Claude, Cursor AI, or Copilot – whichever fits your workflow.

Bind via the Command Palette → “Bind RangeLink to GitHub Copilot Chat Destination”.

⌨️ Complete R‑Keybinding Family (New Commands)

All commands start with Cmd+R (for RangeLink), giving you a memorable, consistent pattern.

🔄 Smart Bind with Confirmation (QoL)

• Switching destinations no longer requires an explicit unbind.
• Running any “Bind to …” command while already bound opens a QuickPick dialog:

Currently bound to: Terminal
Switch to: Claude Code Chat?
[Yes]   [No]

The dialog confirms the change before replacing the existing binding.

🛠️ How It Works (Technical Bit)

1. PR #136 introduced a fix for the Terminal destination.
2. executeCommand() can programmatically trigger actions in other VS Code extensions.
3. For Claude Code & Cursor AI (which lack a direct text‑insertion API), RangeLink now:
   • Sets focus to the chat panel (already done).
   • Copies the link to the clipboard.
   • Waits 50‑150 ms to ensure the panel is ready.
   • Executes the paste command programmatically.

Result: a clipboard‑based workaround that is indistinguishable from a true API insertion from the user’s perspective.

📋 Usage Scenarios

1️⃣ Clipboard‑Only Links (R‑C)

When you need a link but don’t want it auto‑pasted.

2️⃣ Paste Selected Text Directly (R‑V)

When you want to send the code itself, not a link.

• Cmd+R Cmd+V → selected text is sent to the bound destination (Claude, Cursor, Copilot, Terminal, Text Editor).
• Multi‑selection is concatenated with newlines.
• Perfect for quickly feeding snippets to AI assistants that don’t natively support code‑paste.

3️⃣ Jump to Bound Destination (R‑J)

When your bound terminal or editor is hidden behind other tabs/panes.

• Cmd+R Cmd+J instantly focuses the destination, saving you from hunting through tabs.

📚 Full Keybinding Reference

🚀 Closing Thoughts

• One keybinding to rule them all is finally a reality.
• All three AI chat destinations now provide identical, fully automatic paste UX.
• The new R‑family commands give you granular control over link generation, code paste, and destination navigation.

RangeLink v1.0.0 is mature, reliable, and ready for daily use. Happy linking! 🎉

Why RangeLink?

Built‑in AI features are convenient, but they lock you into one AI model, one workflow, and usually only line‑level precision.
RangeLink gives you:

• Character‑level precision – Highlight exactly the function signature, the problematic condition, that one sneaky semicolon.
• Any AI assistant – Claude, GPT, Gemini, Copilot, whatever you prefer.
• One‑keybinding memory – Cmd+R Cmd+L works the same everywhere.
• Features your AI doesn’t have – Cmd+R Cmd+V sends selected text directly to any AI chat.
• Flexible workflows – Terminal for quick questions, scratchpad for complex prompts, direct AI‑chat integrations.
• Universal format – GitHub‑style links that work everywhere (PRs, Slack, docs, teammates without RangeLink).

With v1.0.0, the workflow is just as seamless as integrated tools — arguably better, because you’re not limited to one AI vendor or workflow pattern.

Install RangeLink

Quick Start

1. Bind a destination
   Command Palette → “Bind RangeLink to [your preferred destination]”
2. Select code
3. Use the R‑keybindings

The text‑editor → split‑screen scratchpad destination remains a favorite for complex AI prompts.

Feedback & Community

RangeLink v1.0.0 is feature‑complete and stable. The core vision is realized: character‑level precision, seamless AI workflows, flexible paste destinations.

I’d love to hear from you

• Which destinations do you use most? (Terminal? Scratchpad? AI chat?)
• How are the R‑keybindings fitting into your workflow?
• Any rough edges or unexpected behaviors?

Your feedback shapes priorities. If you’re interested in contributing—code, docs, ideas—check out the repository.

Contribute

• ⭐ Star the repo on GitHub
• 🐛 Report issues or share ideas via GitHub Issues
• 🤝 Submit PRs – the codebase is TypeScript with comprehensive test coverage
• 💬 Share your workflows – drop a comment below or open a discussion

Links

• GitHub Repository –
• VS Code Marketplace –
• Open VSX Registry –
• CHANGELOG –