VSCode IBM i Extension: IBM i Renderer

IBM i Renderer Extension is a Hoot

The IBM i Renderer Extension is included in the recommended Visual Studio Code for IBM i installer package - IBM i Development Pack

What is it?

The IBM i Renderer extension is a nifty visual aid for developers working with DDS display and printer files. It’s still in preview, but it’s already a handy tool for bridging green-screen layouts with modern IDE workflows.

VSCode IBM i Extension: IBM i Renderer 1

This extension renders DDS display (.dspf) and printer (.prtf) files directly inside VS Code:

  • Adds a Code Lens above record formats
  • Lets you preview all or specific record formats in a new tab
  • Offers a configurable refresh rate (default: 1.5 seconds) for live preview updates
  • It’s still in preview, so not all features are perfected
  • Ideal for visualizing screen layouts and printer output without jumping into SEU or PDM
  • Works well alongside Code for IBM i and other extensions in the IBM i Development Pack

For RPGLE and CL developers this helps visualize UI elements without compiling or deploying. It also speeds up debugging and layout tweaks, while making DDS files more accessible to devs used to graphical environments.

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