VLControl(vscode-layout-control)

Arrange AI and code around your work

VLControl lets you place AI conversations and code side by side in VS Code. Keep Explorer on the left, move an AI view in the secondary sidebar to the center, and edit code on the right. The extension is published as VS Code Layout Control on Marketplace.

Main features

• Switch positions: move secondary-sidebar views to the center or right. The center layout starts with equal AI and editor widths; drag the divider to resize.
• Show or hide code: expand the AI area without closing files or stopping terminals. Open a file or use the editor toggle to restore the layout. Explorer, Search and Extensions remain independently available.
• Place the bottom panel: put Terminal, Output and Problems below the editor, below AI or across both. Placement changes also apply while the editor is hidden.

Installation and use

1. Install for free from Visual Studio Marketplace. The extension ID is Gi-Di-Zi.vscode-layout-control.
2. On a supported first installation, compatibility checks, backups and preparation run automatically. Preparation modifies VS Code application layout files and their checksum entry, affecting every window of the same installation. Turn off AI Center Layout: Auto Prepare to opt out of automatic preparation.
3. After the completion notification, save your work, close every window of that installation and restart VS Code. Reload Window alone does not complete preparation.
4. Place your AI view in the secondary sidebar and use its title-bar buttons, or search for VS Code Layout Control in the Command Palette. The current controls use Korean labels: AI를 중앙으로 moves AI to the center, 코드 화면 켜기/끄기 toggles the editor, and 하단 패널 위치 selects panel placement.

Compatibility and recovery

Supports verified builds of Microsoft VS Code Stable on Windows x64, installed with UserSetup or ZIP Portable. The v0.1.5 documentation lists 29 verified builds, including 1.137.0. Other builds require validation. SystemSetup, Insiders, macOS, Linux, ARM64 and the web are unsupported; remote environments and experimental Modern UI need further testing.

A VS Code update may require new compatibility checks and preparation. To pause use, select global Disable and restart. Before uninstalling, run Restore Original Files, close all windows and restart. Disable (Workspace) is not guaranteed to work. Use Check Compatibility and Show Diagnostics for diagnosis.

Price, privacy and updates

The extension is free on Marketplace. AI providers set their own terms and charges. The extension itself makes no external requests and collects no telemetry, source code, conversations or tokens. Local backups contain application files and recovery records.

v0.1.5 improves panel placement while code is hidden and restores panel height and sidebar width after layout changes. Existing installations need manual preparation and a full restart after updating.

First published: September 10, 2026. Latest Marketplace update: September 11, 2026. Listing checked: September 12, 2026. See the Marketplace description and Q & A for installation, supported builds and support.