Biggles
Biggles is a coding assistant tool available on GitHub. With Biggles, users can insert and modify code either by giving voice commands or t...
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What is Biggles?
Biggles is a Visual Studio Code extension that acts as an in-editor coding assistant which can insert new code or modify selected code based on voice or typed instructions. It listens to spoken commands (triggered with CMD/CTRL+M) using OpenAI Whisper and sends the request plus surrounding code context to ChatGPT to generate the edit or insertion. The extension only sends the code immediately before and after the cursor to provide context, and exposes a setting to change how much before/after context (in tokens) is sent. Biggles is aimed at developers who want quick, conversational edits or code generation inside VS Code without switching to a browser, particularly useful for small edits, boilerplate insertions, and on-the-fly refactors. It is deliberately simple in scope—two operational modes (insert when nothing is selected, modify when code is selected)—so it fits into a lightweight voice-driven or keyboard-driven editing workflow.
Biggles pricing
Pricing model: Free
The website states Biggles relies on the OpenAI Whisper and ChatGPT APIs and requires you to provide your own OpenAI API key; there is no pricing for Biggles itself listed on the site (the extension is provided without sale), so costs come from the OpenAI API usage under your own OpenAI plan. There is no mention of a built-in free tier or paid plans for Biggles—the extension is distributed freely while API calls incur charges per your OpenAI account and plan.
Biggles pros
- Voice-driven code insertion using CMD/CTRL+M
- Typed instruction mode with CMD/ALT+M or CTRL/ALT+M
- Two clear modes: insertion and modification
- Sends local code context around cursor to ChatGPT
- Adjustable token window for before/after context
- Uses OpenAI Whisper for speech-to-text
- Integrates directly inside VS Code as an extension
- Quick boilerplate generation at cursor position
- Modifies selected code blocks in place
- Minimal UI and low friction workflow
- Open-source repository for inspection and contribution
- Cross-platform installation notes (macOS/Linux/Windows)
- No vendor lock-in for API key—you provide your own OpenAI key
- Simple predictable behavior (insert vs modify)
- Keyboard shortcuts reduce context switching
Biggles cons
- Requires user-provided OpenAI API key
- Limited awareness of the full codebase
- Only sends nearby code context, not whole project
- Cannot move code blocks or perform complex refactors
- Only two operational modes (insert or modify)
- Possible privacy concerns sending snippets to OpenAI
- Depends on OpenAI Whisper and ChatGPT availability
- No built-in offline model option
Frequently asked questions about Biggles
How do I trigger Biggles with voice?
Press CMD+M on macOS or CTRL+M on Windows/Linux to start speaking; Biggles uses OpenAI Whisper to transcribe your voice and then sends the instruction plus nearby code context to ChatGPT to perform the insertion or modification.
How do I give typed instructions instead of voice?
Press CMD+ALT+M on macOS or CTRL+ALT+M on Windows/Linux to open a typed instruction prompt and enter the changes you want Biggles to make; it will send the typed instruction and surrounding code context to ChatGPT.
Do I need an OpenAI API key to use Biggles?
Yes — Biggles requires you to provide your own OpenAI API key because it calls Whisper and ChatGPT APIs for transcription and code generation; Biggles itself does not include or purchase API access for you.
How much of my file does Biggles send to ChatGPT?
Biggles sends code immediately before and after the cursor position to provide context; the number of tokens sent for before/after context can be changed in the extension settings, but it does not send the entire project.
Can Biggles perform large-scale refactors or move code around?
No — Biggles currently only supports inserting new code at the cursor or modifying the currently selected block; it cannot perform complex operations like moving code across files or large-scale refactors.
Is Biggles open source and where can I view the code?
Yes — the project is hosted publicly (for example on GitHub) so you can inspect the extension source, installation instructions, and contribution notes in the repository.
What platforms does Biggles support?
Biggles is a VS Code extension and includes installation notes for macOS, Linux, and Windows, with platform-specific guidance such as installing Sox on Windows and Linux for audio handling where required.
How does Biggles decide whether to insert or modify code?
If no code is selected, Biggles defaults to inserting new code at the current cursor position; if you select a block of code first, Biggles will modify that selection according to your instruction.
Can I change how much context Biggles sends to ChatGPT?
Yes — the extension exposes a setting to change the number of tokens for before and after context that it includes when sending a request to ChatGPT, letting you increase or decrease local context size.
Are there privacy considerations when using Biggles?
Because Biggles sends snippets of your code and your instructions to OpenAI APIs, you should be aware that those snippets leave your machine and are processed by third-party services; review OpenAI’s data policies and avoid sending sensitive secrets or proprietary code unless permitted by your policies.