Proposal: Noir Dev Snippets VS Code Extension

[Akshola00]

This proposal outlines the development of a VS Code extension designed to significantly enhance the developer experience for Noir programmers. Inspired by popular code snippet extensions in other ecosystems (e.g., "rafce" in React), this tool will provide a suite of pre-defined code snippets and intelligent auto-completions for common Noir constructs, boilerplate, and more. The extension aims to reduce repetitive typing, minimize errors, and accelerate the development of ZK applications in Noir, making it easier for developers to get started and maintain their projects.

Motivation

The Noir language is rapidly emerging as a leading solution for general-purpose Zero-Knowledge Proofs. However, like any new language or specialized domain, developers often face a learning curve and the need to repeatedly type out common code patterns, especially for cryptographic operations or circuit definitions. This can lead to:

• Increased development time: Manually typing boilerplate code is time-consuming and inefficient.
• Higher error rates: Typos and structural errors are common when repeatedly writing similar code.
• Steeper learning curve: New developers might struggle to remember exact syntax or optimal patterns for common Noir constructs.
• Reduced productivity: Context switching to reference documentation for basic syntax or common libraries.

Based on observations within developer communities (e.g., Discord channels where developers frequently ask for boilerplate examples), a tool that streamlines code generation for common Noir patterns inside the code editor itself would be highly beneficial. This extension directly addresses the need for "robust developer tools" that make Noir "easy to develop, productize with and maintain." By abstracting away repetitive syntax, developers can focus more on the unique logic of their ZK circuits.

Methodology

The Noir Dev Snippets VS Code Extension will be developed using TypeScript and the VS Code Extension API. The development approach will involve:

Snippet Identification and Prioritization

• Core Noir Language Constructs: Basic program structure, function definitions, const, let, for loops, if/else statements.
• Circuit-Specific Snippets: Assertions (assert), range checks, common arithmetic operations, array declarations.
• Standard Library Functions: Snippets for frequently used functions from the Noir standard library.
• Cryptographic Primitives: Placeholder snippets for common cryptographic operations once they are well-defined and stable in Noir's libraries. This will initially focus on simple structure and expand as we grow.
• Module and Contract Boilerplate: Snippets to quickly generate basic Noir modules or "contracts".
• Test Boilerplate: Snippets for common testing structures.

Some Smart Snippets System We would be implementing

• ncirc → Complete circuit template with proper imports and structure
• nfunc → Function template with parameter types and return values
• ntest → Test function template with assertions and setup
• nconst → Constraint template with proper syntax
• nproof → Proof generation and verification template
• nimport → Smart import suggestions based on context

Testing

Thorough testing will be conducted to ensure snippets function correctly and integrate seamlessly with VS Code. This will include:

• Unit tests for any custom logic (if implemented beyond simple snippets).
• Manual testing across different Noir project structures and VS Code versions.

Documentation

Comprehensive documentation will be provided, detailing:

• Installation instructions.
• A complete list of available snippets and their prefixes.
• Examples of how to use each snippet.
• Contribution guidelines for community input on new snippets.

Business Model

As a fundamental developer tool, the Noir Dev Snippets VS Code Extension will be entirely open-sourced with a permissive license (MIT). Sustainable funding for further developments will primarily rely on:

Funding Strategies

• Community Contributions: Encouraging open source developers to submit new snippets, improvements, and bug fixes through GitHub pull requests.
• Grant Funding (similar to this initiative): Future grants from foundations or organizations invested in the Noir ecosystem to fund maintenance, new features (like deeper language integration), and potentially dedicated developer time.
• Direct Sponsorships: Seeking direct sponsorships from companies or individuals who heavily rely on Noir for their development, similar to how many open-source projects are sustained.
• Integration with broader Noir tooling initiatives: As the Noir ecosystem grows, this extension could be integrated into larger development environments or IDEs, receiving funding as part of those efforts.

The primary value proposition is to make Noir development more efficient and enjoyable, fostering broader adoption, which benefits the entire ecosystem.

Timeline and Deliverables

Month 1: Foundation & Core Snippets

Initial VS Code Extension project setup.
Implementation of core Noir language snippets.
Basic circuit-specific snippets (assert).
Initial documentation on GitHub.
Public alpha release for early feedback.

Month 2: Standard Library & Testing Snippets

Expansion of snippets to include commonly used Noir standard library functions (as relevant and stable).
Snippets for test boilerplate (#[test] functions).
Improved documentation with clear examples.
Thorough internal testing and bug fixing.

Month 3: Advanced Snippets & Community Integration

Integration of more advanced snippets for common cryptographic patterns (e.g., structure for common hash functions, or structures for future native cryptographic primitives if they are well-defined).
Establishment of a clear contribution guide.
Promotion within the Noir developer community to encourage contributions.
Public beta release and gathering community feedback for new snippet ideas.

Month 4-6: Refinement, Optimization & Maintenance

Continuous integration of community-contributed snippets.
Performance optimizations for the extension.
Ongoing maintenance and bug fixes based on user feedback.
Regular updates to documentation to reflect new features and snippets.
Exploration of deeper language integration features (e.g., basic linting or type hints if feasible without a full language server).

Deliverables:

• Continuous integration of community-contributed snippets.
• Performance optimizations for the extension.
• Ongoing maintenance and bug fixes based on user feedback.
• Regular updates to documentation to reflect new features and snippets.
• Exploration of deeper language integration features (e.g., basic linting or type hints if feasible without a full language server).

Team
Lead Developer: Akinshola Akinniyi https://github.com/Akshola00 email [email protected]
Experience: A skilled smart contract developer with expertise in Solidity and a contributor to various open-source projects using Cairo. Currently developing a privacy-focused application with Noir Lang.

Full Stack Developer: Martin Machiebe https://github.com/martinvibes [email protected]
Martin is a full stack developer with a strong background in frontend development. He is a community expert and an active contributor to open-source projects. Recently, he began exploring Noir for privacy-preserving applications. His experience includes working with React, Tailwind, Solidity, and Cairo.

Frontend Developer: Yunus Abdulmajid https://github.com/Yunusabdul38 [email protected]
Yunus is an experienced frontend developer skilled in React and TypeScript. He has contributed to numerous open-source projects in both web2 and web3, developing various applications and software extensions. He is also involved in building applications using Noir language.

Start Date: 2 June 2025