Documentation
Appendix/Troubleshooting Guide

Troubleshooting Guide

This guide provides solutions for common issues you might encounter when using ThinkCode. If you're experiencing a problem, consult this reference for potential fixes and workarounds.

Installation Issues

ThinkCode Won't Install

Symptoms:

  • Installation process fails or freezes
  • Error messages during installation
  • Application doesn't launch after installation

Solutions:

  1. Check System Requirements

    • Ensure your system meets the minimum requirements:
      • Windows 10/11, macOS 10.15+, or Linux with GLIBC 2.28+
      • 8GB RAM minimum (16GB recommended)
      • 4GB available disk space
      • 64-bit operating system

  2. Run as Administrator/Elevated Privileges

    • Windows: Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator"
    • macOS: Enter administrator credentials when prompted
    • Linux: Use sudo when running the installation commands

  3. Verify Downloaded File

    • Check that your download completed properly
    • Verify checksums if available on the download page
    • Try downloading again, preferably from the official website

  4. Disable Antivirus Temporarily

    • Some antivirus software may interfere with installation
    • Temporarily disable your antivirus, install ThinkCode, then re-enable it
    • Add ThinkCode to your antivirus exclusions/whitelist

  5. Clear Temporary Files

    • Windows: Delete contents of %TEMP% folder
    • macOS: Delete contents of /tmp directory
    • Linux: Clear /tmp directory

Can't Launch After Installation

Symptoms:

  • Application icon doesn't respond when clicked
  • Application starts then immediately crashes
  • Error message about missing components

Solutions:

  1. Restart Your Computer

    • A simple restart often resolves launch issues

  2. Check for Administrative Blocks

    • Corporate environments may restrict application execution
    • Contact your IT department for assistance

  3. Reinstall the Application

    • Uninstall ThinkCode completely
    • Delete any remaining application data folders
    • Download a fresh copy and reinstall

  4. Install Missing Dependencies

    • Windows: Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributable packages
    • Linux: Install required dependencies using your package manager
    • macOS: Ensure you have the required version of Xcode Command Line Tools

Performance Issues

ThinkCode is Slow or Laggy

Symptoms:

  • UI responds slowly to interactions
  • High CPU or memory usage
  • Typing or scrolling feels delayed

Solutions:

  1. Close Resource-Intensive Extensions

    • Some extensions can significantly impact performance
    • Disable extensions one by one to identify the culprit
    • Access the Command Palette and select "Extensions: Disable All Extensions"

  2. Limit Workspace Size

    • Very large workspaces can cause performance issues
    • Use multiple smaller workspaces instead of one large one
    • Exclude large binary files or node_modules folders

  3. Adjust Settings for Performance

    • Disable auto-save or increase the auto-save delay
    • Reduce the number of open editors
    • Turn off minimap and other visual features
    • Disable real-time linting for large files

  4. Update Your GPU Drivers

    • Outdated GPU drivers can cause rendering issues
    • Update to the latest drivers for your graphics hardware

  5. Try Running Without Hardware Acceleration

    • Launch with --disable-gpu flag
    • In settings, search for "hardware acceleration" and disable it

High Memory Usage

Symptoms:

  • ThinkCode uses excessive RAM
  • System becomes slow or unresponsive
  • Out of memory errors

Solutions:

  1. Limit the Number of Open Files

    • Close unused editors and tabs
    • Use workspaces to organize projects

  2. Check Extension Memory Usage

    • Some extensions may have memory leaks
    • Disable extensions you're not actively using
    • Look for extensions with known memory issues

  3. Adjust Memory Settings

    • Increase the --max-memory parameter when launching ThinkCode
    • Set appropriate memory limits in ThinkCode settings

  4. Restart Periodically

    • Memory usage can increase over long sessions
    • Restart ThinkCode every few days for best performance

AI Features Issues

AI Completions Not Working

Symptoms:

  • No AI suggestions appear
  • AI suggestions are slow or irrelevant
  • Error messages when using AI features

Solutions:

  1. Check Network Connection

    • AI features require an internet connection
    • Verify your network connectivity
    • Check if your organization blocks AI service endpoints

  2. Verify Account Status

    • Ensure your ThinkCode subscription is active
    • Check if you've exceeded API usage limits
    • Verify your API key in settings (if using custom endpoints)

  3. Adjust AI Settings

    • Open settings and search for "AI"
    • Try changing the model or reducing context length
    • Increase timeouts for slower connections

  4. Rebuild Context

    • Use the Command Palette to run "ThinkCode: Reset Context"
    • Rebuild context with "ThinkCode: Start Context Collection"

  5. Check Proxy Settings

    • If you're behind a corporate firewall, configure proxy settings
    • Verify that ThinkCode can access AI service endpoints

Poor AI Suggestions

Symptoms:

  • AI completions are irrelevant
  • Code suggestions don't match the project context
  • Generated code contains errors

Solutions:

  1. Improve Your Prompts

    • Be specific and clear in your prompts
    • Provide context about what you're trying to achieve
    • Include relevant code snippets in your requests

  2. Update Context

    • Ensure your current work context is captured
    • Try "ThinkCode: Update Context" command
    • Open relevant files to include them in the context

  3. Try Different AI Models

    • Some models perform better for specific tasks
    • Experiment with different models in settings
    • Use specialized models for particular languages or frameworks

  4. Adjust Token Limits

    • Increase the maximum token context if available
    • Allow more processing time for complex requests

Extension Issues

Extensions Won't Install

Symptoms:

  • Installation failure messages
  • Extensions appear disabled
  • Missing functionality from installed extensions

Solutions:

  1. Check Compatibility

    • Ensure the extension is compatible with your ThinkCode version
    • Look for version requirements in the extension description

  2. Verify Network Access

    • Extensions are downloaded from remote repositories
    • Check your internet connection
    • Verify proxy settings if applicable

  3. Clear Extension Cache

    • Delete the extensions cache directory:
      • Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.thinkcode\extensions
      • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/ThinkCode/extensions
      • Linux: ~/.config/ThinkCode/extensions

  4. Install from VSIX

    • Download the extension VSIX file manually
    • Install from VSIX using the Command Palette

Extensions Causing Crashes

Symptoms:

  • ThinkCode crashes when using certain extensions
  • Error messages mentioning extension IDs
  • Stability issues after installing new extensions

Solutions:

  1. Identify Problematic Extensions

    • Start ThinkCode with --disable-extensions
    • Re-enable extensions one by one to identify the issue
    • Check the ThinkCode logs for extension-related errors

  2. Update Extensions

    • Outdated extensions may cause compatibility issues
    • Update all extensions to their latest versions

  3. Check Extension Logs

    • Open the Command Palette and run "Developer: Show Extensions Logs"
    • Look for errors related to specific extensions

  4. Reinstall Problematic Extensions

    • Uninstall and reinstall extensions causing issues
    • Clear cached data between uninstall and reinstall

Git Integration Issues

Git Features Not Working

Symptoms:

  • Git commands fail or produce errors
  • Source control panel shows incorrect status
  • Git changes not detected

Solutions:

  1. Verify Git Installation

    • Ensure Git is installed on your system
    • Verify Git is in your system PATH
    • Check Git version compatibility (2.0.0 or higher recommended)

  2. Check Repository Status

    • Run git status in a terminal to verify repository state
    • Ensure you have proper permissions for the repository
    • Check for corrupt Git repositories

  3. Configure Git Credentials

    • Set up Git credentials properly
    • Use credential manager or SSH keys
    • Verify authentication works from command line

  4. Restart Git Process

    • Use Command Palette to run "Git: Kill The Active Git Process"
    • Reload ThinkCode window

Merge Conflicts Issues

Symptoms:

  • Unable to resolve merge conflicts
  • Conflict markers remain after resolution
  • Error messages during merge operations

Solutions:

  1. Use the Built-in Merge Editor

    • Take advantage of ThinkCode's visual merge editor
    • Click on conflict markers to see conflict resolution options
    • Use the Command Palette to run "Git: Resolve Merge Conflicts"

  2. Check File Encodings

    • Ensure consistent file encodings between branches
    • Look for and fix mixed line endings (CRLF/LF)

  3. Update Git Configuration

    • Set appropriate merge tools in Git config
    • Configure proper diff tools

Debugging Issues

Debugger Won't Attach

Symptoms:

  • Debugger fails to start
  • Breakpoints not hit
  • Error messages when launching debug session

Solutions:

  1. Check Launch Configuration

    • Verify your launch.json configuration
    • Ensure paths and settings are correct for your environment
    • Check for typos or missing required fields

  2. Verify Language Support

    • Ensure you have the appropriate debugging extensions installed
    • Some languages require specific configurations
    • Check language documentation for debugging requirements

  3. Check Path to Executable

    • Verify the path to the debugger executable
    • Ensure it's correctly installed
    • Try specifying absolute paths instead of relative

  4. Run as Administrator/Elevated Privileges

    • Some debugging scenarios require elevated privileges
    • Try running ThinkCode as administrator (Windows) or with sudo (Linux)

Breakpoints Not Working

Symptoms:

  • Breakpoints appear hollow (not filled)
  • Program doesn't stop at breakpoints
  • Breakpoints shown as unverified

Solutions:

  1. Check Source Maps

    • For transpiled languages, ensure source maps are correctly generated
    • Verify source map configuration in your build tools
    • Check paths in source maps are correct

  2. Rebuild Your Project

    • Ensure compiled code matches source files
    • Rebuild with debug symbols enabled
    • Clear cached build files

  3. Try Using Logpoints

    • Instead of regular breakpoints, use logpoints
    • Right-click a breakpoint and convert to logpoint
    • This can help debug without stopping execution

  4. Check Optimization Settings

    • Disable optimizations in build configuration
    • Optimized code may not map correctly to source

Language-Specific Issues

IntelliSense Not Working

Symptoms:

  • No code completions appear
  • Incorrect or limited suggestions
  • Error squiggles not showing

Solutions:

  1. Install Language Extensions

    • Ensure you have the appropriate language extension installed
    • Some languages require specific extensions for full IntelliSense

  2. Check Language Server Status

    • Look for language server notifications in the status bar
    • Check output panel for language server logs
    • Restart language server if necessary

  3. Verify Project Configuration

    • Many languages require specific project files (package.json, tsconfig.json, etc.)
    • Ensure configuration files are valid and correctly set up
    • Check for syntax errors in configuration files

  4. Rebuild IntelliSense Database

    • Use the Command Palette to run language-specific commands
    • For example, "TypeScript: Restart TS Server" for TypeScript projects
    • Close and reopen your workspace

Linting/Formatting Issues

Symptoms:

  • Inconsistent formatting
  • No linting errors shown
  • Formatting commands have no effect

Solutions:

  1. Check Formatter Configuration

    • Verify formatter settings for your language
    • Look for language-specific settings in your preferences
    • Check for configuration files (.prettierrc, .eslintrc, etc.)

  2. Install Required Extensions

    • Many languages require specific extensions for formatting
    • Check that you have the appropriate linter/formatter installed

  3. Configure File Associations

    • Ensure files are associated with the correct language
    • Check the language mode in the status bar
    • Manually set the language mode if necessary

  4. Clear Formatter Cache

    • Some formatters maintain cache files
    • Delete these files and restart ThinkCode
    • Reconfigure the formatter if necessary

UI and Display Issues

UI Elements Missing or Misplaced

Symptoms:

  • Parts of the interface are missing
  • UI elements appear in wrong positions
  • Text or icons display incorrectly

Solutions:

  1. Reset Window Layout

    • Use Command Palette to run "Workbench: Reset Window Layout"
    • Close and reopen ThinkCode

  2. Check Display Scaling

    • Adjust your operating system's display scaling settings
    • Try launching with --force-device-scale-factor=1 flag

  3. Clear UI State Cache

    • Delete the workbench.html.mtime file in your user data directory
    • Restart ThinkCode

  4. Try Different Themes

    • Some themes may have UI compatibility issues
    • Switch to a default theme temporarily

Font or Text Rendering Issues

Symptoms:

  • Text appears blurry or pixelated
  • Fonts render incorrectly
  • Icons appear distorted

Solutions:

  1. Check Font Settings

    • Verify you have the specified fonts installed
    • Try using a different font family
    • Adjust font size and line height

  2. Update GPU Drivers

    • Font rendering issues can be related to GPU
    • Update to the latest drivers

  3. Disable Font Ligatures

    • Some font ligatures may cause rendering issues
    • Turn off font ligatures in settings

  4. Adjust Anti-aliasing

    • Try changing anti-aliasing settings
    • Experiment with different font smoothing options

Data and Settings Issues

Settings Not Saving

Symptoms:

  • Changed settings revert after restart
  • Configuration changes don't take effect
  • Settings.json shows old values

Solutions:

  1. Check File Permissions

    • Ensure you have write permissions to the settings files
    • Check if files are read-only

  2. Verify Settings Location

    • Settings might be overridden by workspace or folder settings
    • Check the settings hierarchy (user vs. workspace vs. folder)

  3. Clear Settings Cache

    • Delete the User/workspaceStorage folder in your user data directory
    • Restart ThinkCode

  4. Check for Sync Conflicts

    • If using Settings Sync, check for synchronization conflicts
    • Resolve conflicts in the Settings Sync activity view

Lost User Data

Symptoms:

  • Custom snippets or tasks missing
  • Extensions reset to default state
  • User preferences lost

Solutions:

  1. Check Backup Locations

    • Look for automatic backups:
      • Windows: %APPDATA%\Code\Backups
      • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Code/Backups
      • Linux: ~/.config/Code/Backups

  2. Restore from Settings Sync

    • If you've enabled Settings Sync, restore from the cloud
    • Use the Command Palette to run "Settings Sync: Restore"

  3. Check Alternative User Data Directory

    • If you've used the --user-data-dir flag, check that location
    • Ensure you're launching with the same parameters

  4. Recover from Source Control

    • If your settings are in source control, restore from there
    • Many users keep settings in Git repositories

Advanced Troubleshooting

Collecting Logs for Support

If you need to report an issue to ThinkCode support, collect the following information:

  1. Application Logs

    • Open the Command Palette and run "Developer: Open Logs Folder"
    • Collect the main.log and renderer.log files

  2. Process Information

    • Use the Command Palette to run "Developer: Toggle Developer Tools"
    • Go to the Console tab and look for error messages
    • Take screenshots of any error messages

  3. Extension Logs

    • Open the Output panel (View > Output)
    • Select "Extension Host" or specific extension logs
    • Copy relevant error messages

  4. System Information

    • Use the Command Palette to run "System Info"
    • Copy all the system information displayed

Clean Installation

If you continue to experience issues, a clean installation may help:

  1. Uninstall ThinkCode

    • Use your operating system's uninstaller
    • Make sure to completely remove the application

  2. Delete User Data

    • Remove the ThinkCode user data directory:
      • Windows: %APPDATA%\ThinkCode and %USERPROFILE%\.thinkcode
      • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/ThinkCode and ~/.thinkcode
      • Linux: ~/.config/ThinkCode and ~/.thinkcode
    • Warning: This will delete all your settings and extensions

  3. Reinstall ThinkCode

    • Download the latest version from the official website
    • Follow the installation instructions carefully

  4. Restore Essential Settings

    • Reinstall necessary extensions
    • Restore custom settings carefully, one by one

Getting Additional Help

If you've tried all the solutions in this guide and still have issues:

  1. Check the Community Forums

  2. GitHub Issues

  3. Contact Support

    • Enterprise customers can contact dedicated support
    • Provide all relevant logs and system information
    • Describe the steps to reproduce the issue

  4. Social Media

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