Amazon Q pinned context is not able to access files and directories created after VSCode launch
- Dominant language
- TypeScript
- Stars
- 2k
- Forks
- 807
- Avg merge
- 10h 12m
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 7
Description
## Problem
Amazon Q's pinned context feature currently does not detect files or directories that were created **after** launching VSCode. This creates a mismatch between the actual workspace and what Amazon Q can access, leading to workflow disruptions and confusion.
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## Steps to Reproduce
1. Create a file or directory **outside** VSCode (e.g., via the command line or file explorer).
2. Launch VSCode and open the workspace containing the new file/directory.
3. Open Amazon Q and try to reference the file using `@filename` or `@foldername`.
4. Observe that Amazon Q does **not** recognize or access the newly created item.
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## Expected Behavior
Amazon Q should:
- Automatically detect new files and folders created after VSCode is launched.
- Allow seamless use of `@file` and `@folder` references for **all** workspace content.
- Stay in sync with the actual file system without requiring user intervention.
- Offer a consistent and up-to-date developer experience.
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## Current Behavior
- Files/folders created after launching VSCode are **invisible** to Amazon Q pinned context.
- Developers must **restart VSCode** or **manually open** files for Amazon Q to register them.
- Leads to **confusion**, **delays**, and **repetitive workarounds**.
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## Impact
- 🔁 **Workflow Disruption**: Restarting VSCode interrupts developer flow.
- ⚠️ **Inconsistent Context**: Amazon Q operates on a stale view of the project.
- 🛠 **Manual Fixes**: Users must interact with each new file to include it.
- ❓ **User Confusion**: No clear indication of why files aren't accessible.
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## System Details
- **Operating System**: Windows 10
- **Visual Studio Code version**: 1.101.1
- **AWS Toolkit version**: 3.66.0
- **Amazon Q version**: 1.77.0
- **Workspace Type**: Local
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## Additional Context
This issue is especially impactful for:
- Developers using CLI tools or other editors alongside VSCode.
- Teams collaborating with external file sync/build pipelines.
- Workflows involving generated or dynamically created files.
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start by reproducing the issue in a local VS Code workspace: create a file or directory outside VS Code, then try referencing it with @file or @folder in Amazon Q. Trace how pinned context discovers workspace items and verify that newly created content becomes available without opening it or restarting VS Code.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- typescript, vscode
- Domain
- developer-experience, tooling
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 25/100