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The IDE

The three-zone layout, the file tree, multi-file projects and module resolution, the command palette, and autosave.

The IDE is one full-screen workspace split into three zones, with a console docked below and a status bar across the bottom.

The layout#

• Left, file explorer. A nested, collapsible tree of your project's files.
• Center, editor. A Monaco editor with one tab per open file. The Compile, Test, and Deploy buttons live in the tab bar.
• Right, contract console. The Invoke panel and contract info for the deployed contract.
• Bottom, console. Compile, test, and deploy logs. Toggle it from the status bar.
• Status bar. A slim strip showing the language, cursor position, problem counts, network (Testnet), and the save state.

The file tree#

Files render with an icon by extension: .rs in violet, .toml in amber, .json in blue, everything else neutral. Folders sort above files; both sort alphabetically. Directories start expanded, click a folder to collapse it.

Right-click any folder for New file… or New folder…. Right-click a file for Rename / move… or Delete. Hovering a file row also reveals inline rename and delete buttons.

Multi-file projects#

A project holds real, project-relative paths, not a flat list of names. A typical multi-file crate:

src/lib.rs
src/storage.rs
src/admin/mod.rs
tests/integration.rs
Cargo.toml
.cargo/config.toml

Files are addressed by their full path, so src/mod.rs and src/admin/mod.rs are distinct files, not a collision.

Module resolution#

Module declarations resolve the way rustc resolves them. lib.rs, main.rs, and mod.rs declare submodules in their own directory; any other foo.rs declares submodules in a foo/ subdirectory.

So a mod storage; in src/lib.rs resolves to src/storage.rs:

#![no_std]
mod storage; // resolves to src/storage.rs

use soroban_sdk::{Env, Symbol, symbol_short};

pub fn key() -> Symbol {
    symbol_short!("counter")
}

A mod admin; in src/lib.rs would instead resolve to src/admin.rs or src/admin/mod.rs.

Creating files and folders#

New file takes a path, not just a name. Intermediate folders are created implicitly, entering src/admin/mod.rs creates the src/admin/ folders along with the file. A leaf with no extension gets .rs appended, so src/storage becomes src/storage.rs.

Paths are validated before they're accepted. These are rejected:

• An absolute path or a leading / (/src/lib.rs).
• A .. segment (../other/lib.rs).
• A space inside any segment (src/my file.rs).
• An empty segment (src//lib.rs) or a \ separator.

Tabs and breadcrumb#

Each open file gets a tab keyed off its full path, so two files named mod.rs in different folders never collide. A tab shows a folder breadcrumb before the file name, src/admin/mod.rs reads as src/admin/ mod.rs, with the directory dimmed.

Command palette#

Press ⌘K (or Ctrl+K) to open the command palette. It runs actions and jumps between files:

• Compile project (⌘B), Deploy to testnet, Run tests
• New file, Save project (⌘S), Toggle console
• Any open file by path

Autosave#

Edits autosave to the server about 900ms after you stop typing. The status bar shows Saving…, then Saved with a cloud icon. New files, renames, and project-name changes persist immediately rather than waiting for the debounce.

Projects are real server records. Selecting or creating a project saves it on the spot, and your files are there when you refresh, every project you've made is listed in the project menu.

Next#

• Compile your crate to Wasm.
• Start from a template instead of a blank project.