Autocomplete
Inline code completions and next-edit suggestions in the Hull Code extension for VS Code.
As you type, Hull suggests the rest of the line or block as ghost text. Press Tab to accept it. With the default model, Hull can also predict your next edit elsewhere in the file and jump you to it.
Autocomplete is a feature of the VS Code extension. It isn't part of Hull Desktop or the CLI.
Set it up
Autocomplete uses your own API key with a fast completion model.
Connect a provider
Add an API key for Inception or Mistral in Settings › Providers. See Providers. Either a standard Mistral API key or a Codestral key from the Mistral console works.
Pick a model
Choose the model in Settings › Models › Autocomplete model:
| Model | Provider | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Edit 2 (Next Edit) | Inception | The default. Multi-line edit predictions with jump-to-edit. |
| Mercury Edit 2 (FIM) | Inception | Fill-in-the-middle completions at the cursor. |
| Codestral | Mistral | Fill-in-the-middle completions at the cursor. |
Start typing
Suggestions appear as ghost text. The Hull item in the status bar shows how many completions you've had this session, and its tooltip shows the model, provider and cost. If no usable provider is connected, the status bar shows a warning.
Requests go directly to the provider with your key, and that provider bills you at its own rates.
Use it
| Action | Key |
|---|---|
| Accept a suggestion | Tab |
| Dismiss a suggestion | Escape |
| Accept a next-edit suggestion, or jump to it | Tab |
| Request suggestions on demand | Cmd+L (macOS) or Ctrl+L (Windows and Linux), when Enable smart inline task keybinding is on |
You can also run Hull Code: Generate Suggested Edits from the Command Palette.
Settings
In Settings › Autocomplete:
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Enable automatic inline completions | On | Shows suggestions as you type. Turn off to use on-demand suggestions only. |
| Enable smart inline task keybinding | Off | Enables Cmd+L / Ctrl+L to request suggestions. |
| Enable chat textarea autocomplete | Off | Suggests completions while you type in the chat input. |
If GitHub Copilot's inline completions are also on, the two compete for the same ghost text, and Hull's on-demand keybinding shows a warning instead. Turn off Copilot's inline completions to use Hull's.
Tips
- Steer with a comment or signature. Write a comment describing what you want, or a function signature, and let autocomplete fill in the body.
- Treat suggestions as drafts. Accepting a nearly-right suggestion and fixing it is often faster than typing from scratch.
- Use chat for bigger changes. Multi-file changes and refactors are a better fit for chat. For quick help on selected code, use Code actions.