GSoC 2026 Accord Studio: Offline-First VS Code Web & Playground Integration

[rockaxorb13]

Description:
This project aims to unify the Accord Project developer experience by transforming the VS Code Web Extension into "Accord Studio"—a standalone, offline-capable IDE. Currently, the ecosystem is fragmented: web users on vscode.dev suffer from a lack of persistent storage (files vanish on reload) and must switch to the external "Template Playground" website for visual editing. This project bridges these gaps by implementing a browser-native FileSystemProvider backed by IndexedDB for true offline persistence and porting the React-based Playground directly into VS Code as a Custom Editor. Additionally, it mitigates the project's infrastructure costs by replacing cloud-based AI dependencies with a local-first WebLLM (WASM) engine that runs entirely in the user's browser tab.

Expected Outcomes:
A unified tool that allows users to:

• Work Offline in the Browser: Persistently save and load projects on vscode.dev using a new IndexedDB-backed File System Provider (filling the gap where vscode.workspace.fs currently fails).
• Visually Edit Templates: Open .cta (Template Archive) files directly in VS Code to access the drag-and-drop "Template Playground" UI without leaving the editor.
• Use Zero-Setup AI: Generate models and explain clauses using a local Large Language Model (WebLLM/WASM) running via WebGPU, ensuring privacy and zero server cost.
• Hybrid AI Support: Toggle between local offline models and cloud-based models (OpenAI/Gemini) with persistent chat history saved to local storage.

Skills required/preferred:
TypeScript, VS Code Extension API, React, WebAssembly (WASM), IndexedDB (Dexie.js), Language Server Protocol (LSP)

Possible Mentors:
Dan Selman, Ertugrul Karademir

Expected size of project:
350 hours (Large)

Expected difficulty:
Hard

[urvashi-agrawal-dev]

Hi! I’ve been exploring the Accord Project and this idea really interests me.
I’m comfortable with TypeScript, React, and VS Code extensions, and I’d love to start contributing in a small way and learn more about the codebase.

Is there a good place or a small task you’d recommend starting with?