1 Quick Guide: Synesis Explorer (VS Code)

Goal: help you install and use the extension to navigate your Synesis files (.syn, .synt, .synp, .syno) easily.

1.1 What the extension does

  • Shows your references, codes, and relations in side panels
  • Opens a relationship graph and the abstract summary of references
  • Helps you find excerpts easily

VS Code initial screen with the extension installed.

1.2 Basic requirements

  • VS Code installed
  • Synesis files on your computer

1.3 Installation (VSIX file)

  1. Open VS Code
  2. Click on the extensions icon (sidebar)
  3. Click on the three dots (menu) and choose “Install from VSIX…”
  4. Select the .vsix extension file
  5. Wait for installation and restart VS Code if prompted

Menu “Install from VSIX…”

1.4 How to open your project

  1. Open your project folder in VS Code
  2. Make sure your .syn files and the .synp project are in the folder

Project folder open in VS Code.

1.5 Where to find Synesis Explorer

  1. On the left sidebar, click the “Synesis Explorer” icon
  2. You will see three sections:
    • References
    • Codes
    • Relations (appears when there are relations)

Synesis Explorer panel with the three sections.

1.6 Using the Explorers

1.6.1 References

  • Lists your sources (SOURCE)
  • Use the refresh button when files change
  • Use the filter to quickly find a reference

References with list and buttons at the top.

1.6.2 Codes

  • Shows codes found in your data
  • Use refresh and filter the same way

Codes with code list.

1.6.3 Relations

  • Shows relations (chains) found
  • If it doesn’t appear, check if there are chain: fields in annotation files (.syn)

Relations with some listed relations.

1.7 Using the Viewers

1.7.1 Graph Viewer

  • Shows a graph of relations
  • Shortcut: Ctrl+Alt+G (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+G (Mac)

Graph open in a tab.

1.7.2 Abstract Viewer

  • Shows the abstract of BibTeX references
  • Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+A (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+A (Mac)

Abstract open in a tab.

1.8 Quick tips

  • If something doesn’t update, click refresh
  • Word Wrap is automatically enabled for easier reading
  • Use the filter to reduce large lists

1.9 Common problems

I don’t see anything in the panel - Check if the project folder was opened in VS Code - Check if there are .syn files in the folder

Relations don’t appear - Check if there are chain: lines in the files

1.10 Ready to use

With this, you can now navigate, filter, and visualize your Synesis data directly in VS Code.

Complete flow (file open + explorer + viewer).