Best IDE Recommendations for Developing the i-have-adhd Plugin: A Complete Setup Guide

Any modern IDE with TypeScript support works for developing the i-have-adhd plugin, though Visual Studio Code offers the smoothest experience for this Node.js-based Claude extension.

The i-have-adhd repository by ayghri is a standard TypeScript/JavaScript codebase built for the Claude ecosystem, making IDE recommendations for developing i-have-adhd straightforward for anyone familiar with Node.js projects. While the repository does not enforce a specific editor, the project structure—including files like extensions/i-have-adhd.ts and skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md—requires tools that handle TypeScript autocompletion, JSON schema validation, and NPM script execution.

Essential IDE Features for i-have-adhd Development

Because the plugin relies on the Zod library for schema validation and standard NPM scripts for build processes, your development environment must handle three core requirements.

TypeScript Language Support

The core implementation lives in TypeScript source files such as extensions/i-have-adhd.ts and extensions/context-compat.ts. Your IDE must provide intelligent autocomplete, real-time type checking, and refactoring tools to navigate the compatibility shims and main extension logic safely.

Integrated Terminal Support

The project uses NPM scripts defined in package.json for testing and installation. You need an integrated terminal to execute commands like npm test and npm install without context-switching between applications.

Git Integration

Version control is essential when modifying the 10-rule skill behavior documented in SKILL.md or updating plugin manifests. Native Git integration helps track changes across the repository's documentation and runtime files.

Recommended IDEs for the i-have-adhd Codebase

While the repository accepts contributions from any editor, these four environments provide optimal support for the project's TypeScript-heavy architecture.

Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

VS Code remains the most commonly used editor for this stack. It offers built-in TypeScript support, direct integration with Node.js debugging, and extensions for Zod schema validation. The editor handles the repository's JSON configuration files—such as package.json and various runtime manifests—without additional setup.

JetBrains WebStorm

WebStorm provides advanced refactoring capabilities and deep NPM script integration. Its TypeScript compiler integration catches errors in extensions/context-compat.ts before runtime, making it ideal for developers working extensively with the compatibility layer.

Neovim with LSP

For terminal-centric workflows, Neovim configured with a Language Server Protocol (LSP) client offers lightweight TypeScript support. Install the TypeScript language server to gain autocomplete and diagnostics when editing extensions/i-have-adhd.ts or modifying skill definitions.

GitHub Codespaces

GitHub Codespaces provides a cloud-based VS Code environment pre-configured with Node.js. This option works immediately with the repository's standard NPM commands, requiring no local installation for quick documentation edits or minor code changes.

Key Source Files to Understand First

Navigating these critical files in your chosen IDE will accelerate your development workflow:

• extensions/i-have-adhd.ts — The main TypeScript implementation containing the plugin's core logic and runtime behavior.
• extensions/context-compat.ts — Compatibility shim that handles different runtime contexts within the Claude ecosystem.
• skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md — The canonical skill description defining the 10-rule behavior guide that governs plugin interactions.
• package.json — Declares NPM dependencies, build scripts, and entry points for the extension system.

Setting Up Your Development Environment

Once you've selected an IDE, configure your workspace using the repository's standard Node.js workflow.

Installing Dependencies

Open the integrated terminal in your IDE and run the standard installation command:

npm install

This installs the Zod library and other dependencies required for schema validation throughout the extension.

Running Tests

Execute the unit test suite to verify your environment:

npm test

This command validates the TypeScript compilation and ensures the compatibility layers function correctly across different contexts.

Modifying the Core Skill

When editing the skill definition, open skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md in your editor. After making changes to the 10-rule behavior guide, reinstall the plugin to test modifications:

claude plugin uninstall i-have-adhd
claude plugin marketplace add <your-github-user>/i-have-adhd
claude plugin install i-have-adhd@i-have-adhd

Summary

• The i-have-adhd repository requires TypeScript support, terminal integration, and Git capabilities from your development environment.
• Visual Studio Code provides the most seamless experience for this Node.js-based plugin, though WebStorm, Neovim with LSP, and GitHub Codespaces are fully compatible alternatives.
• Key entry points for development include extensions/i-have-adhd.ts for logic and skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md for behavior rules.
• Standard NPM commands (npm install, npm test) manage the workflow regardless of IDE choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a specific IDE to contribute to i-have-adhd?

No, the repository does not prescribe a specific development environment. Any editor that supports TypeScript and JavaScript will handle the codebase effectively, as the project uses standard Node.js conventions without proprietary extensions.

What makes VS Code the preferred choice for this repository?

VS Code offers native TypeScript intelligence, built-in debugging for Node.js applications, and seamless integration with NPM scripts defined in package.json. Its handling of JSON schemas also assists when editing the plugin's runtime manifests and configuration files.

How do I test changes to the SKILL.md file?

After modifying skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md in your IDE, you must reinstall the plugin through the Claude CLI to load the updated 10-rule behavior guide. Use the claude plugin uninstall and claude plugin install commands sequence to refresh the local installation.

Can I use GitHub Codespaces for i-have-adhd development?

Yes, GitHub Codespaces works effectively because it provides a cloud-based VS Code instance with Node.js pre-installed. This environment supports all standard NPM scripts and allows you to edit TypeScript files like extensions/context-compat.ts without configuring a local toolchain.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}