# gitkraken/vscode-gitlens

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9,846 stars · 1,741 forks · TypeScript · NOASSERTION

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens
- Homepage: http://gitkraken.com/gitlens
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/gitkraken-vscode-gitlens.md

## Topics

`git` `github` `vscode` `vscode-extension`

## Description

GitLens is a Git extension for VS Code that brings inline blame annotations, CodeLens authorship information, and an interactive commit graph directly into the editor. It provides a visual timeline of repository history with color-coded branch relationships, search, and filtering, alongside file-level annotations that show who last changed each line and why. The extension also functions as a cross-provider pull request manager, integrating with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps to centralize PR and issue tracking within the IDE.

What distinguishes GitLens is its AI-powered Git assistant, which generates commit messages, pull request descriptions, and changelogs by analyzing staged changes and repository history. It also offers a cloud patch sharing platform that lets users share work-in-progress code as encrypted, revocable patches without pushing to a remote repository. For multi-repository workspaces, GitLens aggregates repositories from multiple providers into a unified dashboard, supports bulk actions, and enables one-click team onboarding by cloning all required repositories at once.

The extension includes a commit graph review mode for validating changes and preparing commits, along with inline code suggestions on pull requests and merge conflict validation. It supports worktree-based parallel development, allowing users to maintain separate working directories for different branches without stashing. GitLens also provides enterprise identity provider integration with SSO authentication and granular access control for shared patches.

GitLens is installed as a VS Code extension and provides its functionality through custom views, commands, and editor decorations.

## Tags

### Development Tools & Productivity

- [Editor Extensions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/editor-extensions.md) — Extends the VS Code editor with custom views, commands, and decorations through its extension API.
- [Graph-Based Git Operations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/diagramming-tools/git-graph-visualizers/graph-based-git-operations.md) — Enables Git operations like rebase, revert, and checkout directly from the commit graph. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/commit-graph))
- [Inline Blame Annotations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/git-blame-viewers/inline-blame-annotations.md) — Reveals author and commit details for each line of code directly in the editor with hover access. ([source](https://www.gitkraken.com/gitlens/kiro))
- [Git Commit History Visualizers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/git-commit-history-visualizers.md) — Displays an interactive commit graph with branch relationships, search, and filtering for navigating repository history.
- [File and Folder History Navigation](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/project-history-navigation/file-and-folder-history-navigation.md) — Ships a live timeline of file and folder changes over time to trace code evolution. ([source](https://www.gitkraken.com/gitlens/kiro))
- [Git History Navigation](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/project-history-navigation/git-history-navigation.md) — Steps through the revision history of a file to trace how its content evolved over time. ([source](https://help.gitkraken.com/gitlens/gitlens-community-vs-gitlens-pro/))
- [Git History Visualizations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/project-history-navigation/git-history-visualizations.md) — Displays an interactive commit graph with branch relationships, search, and filtering for navigating repository history.
- [In-Editor Review Interfaces](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/pull-request-review-interfaces/in-editor-review-interfaces.md) — Unifies pull requests from multiple providers into a single in-editor interface grouped by status. ([source](https://help.gitkraken.com/gitlens/gitlens-community-vs-gitlens-pro/))
- [Multi-Provider Repository Integrations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/repository-hosting-integrations/multi-provider-repository-integrations.md) — Integrates with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps to manage repositories from different hosts. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/workspaces))
- [Git Blame Hover Displays](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/symbol-navigation/hover-information-displays/git-blame-hover-displays.md) — Reveals detailed commit information and actions when hovering over blame annotations. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens@main/README.md))
- [File Evolution Tracking](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/version-control-file-operations/file-evolution-tracking.md) — Provides a commit-by-commit visualization of a file's history with additions and deletions highlighted. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens@main/README.md))
- [AI-Powered Generators](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/version-control-repository-tools/repository-documentation-generators/ai-powered-generators.md) — Composes commit messages, pull request titles, descriptions, and changelogs from staged changes and repository history. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/gitlens))
- [Commit Graph Visualizers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/version-control-repository-tools/version-control-managers/repository-utilities/history-analysis-visualization/commit-graph-visualizers.md) — Renders an interactive, searchable commit graph with color-coded branch relationships and authorship patterns.
- [AI Assistant Integrations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/ai-assistant-integrations.md) — Connects AI coding tools to repositories, issues, and pull requests for richer Git awareness. ([source](https://www.gitkraken.com/gitlens))
- [Cross-Platform Code Suggestions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/automated-code-fix-suggestions/cross-platform-code-suggestions.md) — Creates, reviews, and applies code suggestions across desktop, IDE, CLI, and browser environments. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/code-suggest))
- [Commit Graph Compose Modes](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/code-quality-analysis/static-analysis-engines/static-analysis-tools/code-analysis-tools/local-change-reviewers/change-review-interfaces/live-diff-views/unified-diff-reviewers/pre-commit-visual-reviews/commit-graph-compose-modes.md) — Switches between review and compose modes inside the commit graph for validating and preparing commits. ([source](https://www.gitkraken.com/gitlens))
- [Private Change Sharing](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/code-sharing-utilities/private-change-sharing.md) — Generates shareable links from uncommitted work for secure feedback without pushing to a remote. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens@main/README.md))
- [Command Palettes](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/command-execution-interfaces/command-palettes.md) — Guides users through common Git operations step by step from a command palette. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens@main/README.md))
- [Commit History Analysis](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/commit-history-analysis.md) — Provides a detailed view of a commit, stash, or file history with search and comparison tools. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens@main/README.md))
- [Commit Detail Inspectors](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/commit-history-analysis/commit-detail-inspectors.md) — Shows modified files, changed lines, and related issues or pull requests for any selected commit. ([source](https://help.gitkraken.com/gitlens/gitlens-home/))
- [Multi-Criteria Commit Filters](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/commit-history-analysis/commit-type-filtering/multi-criteria-commit-filters.md) — Locates specific commits by searching message, author, file, code changes, or natural language. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/commit-graph))
- [Multi-Repository Workspaces](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/git-repository-integrators/git-repository-integrators/multi-repository-workspaces.md) — Aggregates multiple Git repositories into a single workspace view with bulk operations and unified tracking.
- [Aggregated Repository Dashboards](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/git-repository-integrators/git-repository-integrators/multi-repository-workspaces/aggregated-repository-dashboards.md) — Aggregates pull requests, issues, and branch status from multiple Git providers into a single view.
- [Worktree Isolation Tools](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/git-tooling/worktree-isolation-tools.md) — Leverages Git worktrees to maintain separate working directories for different branches without stashing.
- [Issue Tracking Integrations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/issue-tracking-integrations.md) — Connects commits, branches, and pull requests with external platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Jira. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/cloud-patches))
- [Pre-Merge Conflict Validations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/merge-conflict-resolution/pre-merge-conflict-validations.md) — Applies patches on fresh branches to detect merge conflicts early before they become large. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/cloud-patches))
- [Contextual Review Displays](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/pull-request-review-interfaces/contextual-review-displays.md) — Displays review status, related branches, and change details in one place for streamlined approval workflows. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/launchpad))
- [Full-File Pull Request Reviews](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/pull-request-review-interfaces/full-file-pull-request-reviews.md) — Edits and suggests changes in any file within a pull request, not limited to the diff view. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/code-suggest))
- [Inline Pull Request Suggestions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/pull-request-review-interfaces/inline-pull-request-suggestions.md) — Proposes precise code edits directly inside GitHub pull request conversations. ([source](https://help.gitkraken.com/gitlens/gitlens-home/))
- [Commit Graph Review Modes](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/version-control-repository-tools/version-control-managers/repository-utilities/history-analysis-visualization/commit-graph-visualizers/commit-graph-review-modes.md) — Provides dedicated review and compose modes inside the commit graph for validating changes. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/gitlens))
- [Drag-and-Drop Rebase Interfaces](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/version-control-repository-tools/version-control-managers/version-control-automation/interactive-rebase-automators/drag-and-drop-rebase-interfaces.md) — Provides a drag-and-drop interface for reordering, editing, squashing, or dropping commits during rebase. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens@main/README.md))
- [Workspace Organization](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/workspace-management/project-workspaces/workspace-organization.md) — Organizes multiple repositories into named workspaces accessible from anywhere. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens@main/README.md))

### Artificial Intelligence & ML

- [Git Commit Assistants](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/ai-assistants/git-commit-assistants.md) — Generates commit messages, PR descriptions, and changelogs using AI analysis of repository changes.
- [Repository Context Injection](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/language-model-orchestration/retrieval-augmented-generation/context-aware-chat-interfaces/repository-context-injection.md) — Injects repository context into AI model prompts to generate semantically accurate commit messages and PR descriptions.
- [One-Click Code Suggestions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/prompt-libraries/one-click-application/one-click-code-suggestions.md) — Accepts reviewer code suggestions with one click, automatically committing the fix. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/code-suggest))

### Business & Productivity Software

- [Cross-Provider Pull Request Managers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/business-productivity-software/issue-tracking/cross-provider-pull-request-managers.md) — Manages pull requests and issues from multiple providers in a central editor view.

### Data & Databases

- [Encrypted Patch Stores](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/cloud-storage-services/encrypted-patch-stores.md) — Stores and shares work-in-progress code changes as encrypted cloud patches with access control.
- [Inline Authorship Displays](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/custom-data-fields/metadata-querying/metadata-storage/author-biographies/code-authorship-metadata/inline-authorship-displays.md) — Shows authorship information and recent change counts at the top of files and code blocks. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens@main/README.md))
- [Git History Overlays](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/virtual-file-systems/git-history-overlays.md) — Overlays a virtual representation of Git history and metadata onto the editor's file system for blame annotations and history navigation.

### DevOps & Infrastructure

- [Centralized Pull Request Views](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/version-control-management/version-control-workflows/pull-request-management/centralized-pull-request-views.md) — Provides a centralized view of pull requests grouped by action status with branch and worktree switching. ([source](https://help.gitkraken.com/gitlens/gitlens-home/))
- [Cross-Provider Pull Request Managers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/version-control-management/version-control-workflows/pull-request-management/cross-provider-pull-request-managers.md) — Integrates with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps to manage PRs and issues within the editor.
- [Pull Request Status Trackers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/cicd-pipeline-automation/cicd-pipeline-management/continuous-integration-integrations/pull-request-status-trackers.md) — Shows real-time build and check status for each pull request to ensure reviews pass before merging. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/launchpad))

### Operating Systems & Systems Programming

- [Customizable Graph Displays](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/display-windowing/window-metadata-displays/customizable-graph-displays.md) — Provides a customizable commit graph display with column rearrangement, metadata selection, and theme switching. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/commit-graph))

### Software Engineering & Architecture

- [Cloud Patch Sharing](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/code-patching-engines/patch-generators/cloud-patch-sharing.md) — Shares unfinished code as encrypted cloud patches without creating branches or commits. ([source](https://www.gitkraken.com/gitlens/kiro))
- [Aggregated Status Views](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/development-methodologies/engineering-best-practices/open-source-collaboration/open-source-methodologies/contribution-workflows/pull-request-and-issue-pipelines/aggregated-status-views.md) — Aggregates pull requests, issues, builds, and blockers across repositories into a single view for action identification. ([source](https://www.gitkraken.com/gitlens/kiro))
- [Git](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/provider-abstractions/git.md) — Abstracts multiple Git hosting providers behind a unified interface for consistent issue, PR, and repository management.
- [Cloud](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/code-patching-engines/patch-generators/cloud.md) — Creates shareable, revocable patches from uncommitted code for asynchronous review without branches.
- [Sharable](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/code-patching-engines/patch-generators/sharable.md) — Creates sharable Git patches that collaborators can apply across an organization. ([source](https://help.gitkraken.com/gitlens/gitlens-home/))

### System Administration & Monitoring

- [Multi-Provider Dashboards](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/system-administration-monitoring/system-activity-monitoring/session-activity-monitors/repository-activity-dashboards/multi-provider-dashboards.md) — Provides a unified dashboard that aggregates repositories from multiple Git providers for quick status overview. ([source](https://www.gitkraken.com/gitlens/kiro))

### User Interface & Experience

- [Code Annotation Overlays](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/user-interface-experience/visual-overlays/code-annotation-overlays.md) — Overlays files with authorship, recent change, and heatmap annotations directly in the editor. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens@main/README.md))

### Part of an Awesome List

- [Git Patch Sharing](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/productivity/collaboration-and-sharing/git-patch-sharing.md) — Saves and shares private Git patches with collaborators without pushing unfinished code. ([source](https://help.gitkraken.com/gitlens/gitlens-home/))

### Security & Cryptography

- [Patch Access Controls](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/security/policies/access-control/patch-access-controls.md) — Controls who can view a patch via link sharing, organization limits, or specific collaborator invitations with optional encryption. ([source](https://gitkraken.com/solutions/cloud-patches))

### Testing & Quality Assurance

- [Pre-Commit AI Change Validators](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/testing-quality-assurance/code-quality-review/agentic-code-reviews/pre-commit-ai-change-validators.md) — Provides dedicated review and compose modes inside the commit graph to validate AI-produced code before committing. ([source](https://www.gitkraken.com/gitlens))