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Review code changes directly in VS Code using the CodeRabbit extension. Choose between automatic reviews after every commit or manual reviews for specific changes.
These instructions are for VS Code. If you’re using a VS Code-compatible editor like Cursor or Windsurf, the steps are similar but may require adaptation.

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Choose your workflow

Automatic reviews

Let CodeRabbit review every commit automatically

Manual reviews

Control exactly what gets reviewed and when

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Create Coding Plans

Use the Plan view in the CodeRabbit sidebar to create a Coding Plan from VS Code. Describe the change you want to make, select the target repository, optionally attach context files from your workspace, and start plan generation. CodeRabbit streams progress in the extension, then opens the created plan so you can review it, refine it, or open it in the web app. For the full planning workflow, see Create a plan.

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Automatic reviews

The simplest way to get code reviews. CodeRabbit automatically reviews all changes when you commit to your local Git repository.
1

Make a Git commit

Commit your changes using VS Code or terminal. A dialog appears asking Would you like to start a review?
2

Start the review

Click Yes. The CodeRabbit sidebar opens with the review in progress.
3

Wait for completion

The review typically completes within a few minutes. Click Stop the review to cancel if needed.
You can configure the extension to always review automatically or never prompt. See Configure automatic review behavior.

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Manual reviews

Get precise control over what CodeRabbit reviews. Compare any branch against any other branch, review only committed changes, or focus on specific files.
1

Open CodeRabbit sidebar

Click the CodeRabbit icon in the VS Code activity bar.
2

Select base branch (optional)

Under Branch in the sidebar, click the base branch name to compare against a different branch.
3

Choose review scope

Select your review type:
Review all changes - Includes both committed and uncommitted changes
4

Verify files to review

Check the Files to review list in the sidebar. Use git stash or change your review scope to modify which files are included.
5

Start the review

Click the review button. The sidebar shows progress as the review runs.

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Working with review results

After any review completes, CodeRabbit adds actionable comments to your code. Each comment includes specific suggestions you can apply directly or use as guidance.

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Browse and apply suggestions

Review comments appear in the Files section of the CodeRabbit sidebar. Click any comment to see the detailed suggestion inline in your editor. When CodeRabbit provides a specific code fix, click the Apply suggested change checkmark icon to apply it immediately.

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Use AI coding agents

For complex issues, click the Fix with AI star icon to send the problem to your preferred AI coding agent:
  • VS Code + Copilot: Sends directly to Copilot
  • Command-line tools: Claude Code, Codex CLI, OpenCode - opens terminal with the selected command
  • VS Code extensions: Claude Code Extension, Cline, Roo, Kilo Code, Augment Code - hands off the prompt to the selected extension
  • Clipboard fallback: Copies prompt for use with any AI agent
Configure your preferred AI agent in extension settings.

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Managing comments

  • Ignore: Remove comment from editor view
  • Collapse: Hide comment but keep indicator icon
  • Restore: Click collapsed/ignored comments in sidebar to show again

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What’s next

Create a plan

Generate Coding Plans from editor context

Configure the extension

Customize automatic review behavior and AI agent integration

Uninstall the extension

Remove the CodeRabbit extension from VS Code