Tab Completion

[kpinnipa]

Problem description
Currently, the methods to insert a snippet include the insert button, dragging and dropping, and copy-pasting. However, this requires the user to search for a snippet in the snippet explorer every time they intend to use it which can take time away from their work.

Solution
Create functionality that recognizes user patterns and suggests relevant snippets that match syntax that can be easily inserted by simply pressing the tab button. This will allow user to save time in searching for the snippet and more easily incorporate them into their workflow.

Things to think about

• Potentially look at Kite for inspiration
• Show snippet text when associated words are typed in a grayed out font (like gmail tab-complete)
• Alternatively, when tab key is pressed after writing some code (example "import..."), a dropdown will appear showing the names/descriptions of related and relevant snippets. User can click on any of the names to complete their code with the snippet code.
  1. Design will be tricky and will most likely go through multiple iterations
  2. Have to make sure that this does not take away the tab key's functionality
  3. Have to make sure that the user is able to get rid of the pop up/grayed out text so it doesn't get in the way of their workflow.

[kpinnipa]

Potential resource : https://github.com/jupyterlab/jupyterlab/blob/b4db7f03d2ad0b91a9c8c252c56ae5e4a9408fbb/packages/completer/src/tokens.ts

[kpinnipa]

Merge with jupyterlab-lsp; have to wait until lsp autocompletion is integrated with core (4.0). See issue #604 for partially done pull request.

[jahn96]

As soon as JupyterLab completion manager is refactored for different types of sources such as Kite, Kernel, or code snippet to be added easily, we are planning to start working on this! Refer to autocomplete in JupyterLab-lsp extension for usability.