SS13 Build Flags

A VS Code extension to add a checkbox picker for build/debug flags. The flag list and presets are read from the game repo's flags JSON file (ss13BuildFlags.configPath, default tools/build/build_flags.json), so contributors edit flags there and this extension picks them up.

What it does

• A view inside the Run and Debug side panel (same container as the launch config dropdown/breakpoints), not a separate tab: checkboxes grouped by category, each showing its define and description.
• Preset dropdown at the top of the view: picking a preset instantly checks exactly that preset's boxes. Toggling boxes by hand flips the dropdown back to "Custom".
• Dependencies: checking a flag auto-checks its requires; unchecking a requirement drops dependents; conflictsWith shows a warning.
• Injection on F5: when the resolved launch config's preLaunchTask matches ss13BuildFlags.baseTask, the extension injects the selected flags and runs that task itself before launching the debugger, via one of two modes (ss13BuildFlags.injectionMode):
  • cli-args (default): clones the base task with -D${define} appended to its command/args — matches DreamMaker's own CLI define syntax.
  • write-file: writes the selected #defines into ss13BuildFlags.localDefinesPath, then runs the base task unmodified.

Settings

• ss13BuildFlags.configPath — workspace-relative path to the flags JSON.
• ss13BuildFlags.baseTask — exact task name/label to inject flags into.
• ss13BuildFlags.injectionMode — "cli-args" or "write-file".
• ss13BuildFlags.localDefinesPath — workspace-relative path for write-file mode.

Build / run locally

npm install
npm run compile

Then press F5 in this folder to launch an Extension Development Host, open the target game repo inside it, and open the Run and Debug panel. There should be a section for the flags.