Write scientific comments in real Unicode using LaTeX-flavored commands. Type \lambda, get λ. Type \^{n+1}, get ⁿ⁺¹.
Designed for source-code comments where you want readable math (∀x ∈ ℝ) instead of forall x in R, without depending on rendering tools.
Features
Completion on \
Start typing a backslash and a fuzzy-filtered list of every supported symbol appears, each previewed by the Unicode glyph it inserts.
\lam -> λ
\Sig -> Σ
\for -> ∀
\to -> →
\sum -> ∑
Accept with Tab or Enter. The whole \command token is replaced with the symbol.
Multi-character super/subscripts: \^{...} and \_{...}
For exponents or indices longer than one character, use a braced group.
\^{n+1} -> ⁿ⁺¹
\_{i,j} -> ᵢ,ⱼ
x\^{2} -> x²
H\_{2}O -> H₂O
Three ways to convert:
- Auto-convert on
}. Close the brace and the group converts in place. - Live preview while typing. Inside an open group, the completion popup shows the rendered form as a single item.
Tabto accept. - Bulk convert command (see below).
Characters that have no Unicode super/subscript counterpart (q, most punctuation) pass through unchanged.
Single-character super/subscripts
For one-off characters, the short forms work too: \^2, \_i, \^n, \_0. These appear in the completion list alongside the named symbols.
Hover preview
Hover any \command, \^{...}, or \_{...} token and a tooltip shows the rendered Unicode form plus the source token.
Bulk convert command
Run Unicode Comments: Convert LaTeX Commands to Unicode from the command palette (or Cmd+Alt+U / Ctrl+Alt+U).
- With a selection, converts inside the selection.
- Without a selection, converts the whole document.
Useful for pasted snippets, files written before installing the extension, or workflows that disable on-type behavior (auto-close brackets, for example, suppress the } auto-convert; the command always works).
Supported symbols
A non-exhaustive tour. See src/symbols.ts for the full list.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Greek (lower) | \alpha α, \beta β, \lambda λ, \pi π, \omega ω, \varepsilon ϵ |
| Greek (upper) | \Sigma Σ, \Delta Δ, \Omega Ω, \Phi Φ |
| Logic | \forall ∀, \exists ∃, \neg ¬, \land ∧, \lor ∨, \implies ⇒, \iff ⇔ |
| Sets | \in ∈, \notin ∉, \subseteq ⊆, \cup ∪, \cap ∩, \emptyset ∅ |
| Number sets | \N ℕ, \Z ℤ, \Q ℚ, \R ℝ, \C ℂ |
| Relations | \leq ≤, \geq ≥, \neq ≠, \equiv ≡, \approx ≈ |
| Arrows | \to →, \mapsto ↦, \Rightarrow ⇒, \leftrightarrow ↔ |
| Operators | \sum ∑, \prod ∏, \int ∫, \partial ∂, \nabla ∇, \infty ∞ |
| Math misc | \pm ±, \times ×, \cdot ·, \sqrt √, \prime ′ |
| Geometry | \angle ∠, \perp ⊥, \parallel ∥, \triangle △ |
| Brackets | \langle ⟨, \rangle ⟩, \lceil ⌈, \lfloor ⌊, \llbracket ⟦ |
| Dots | \ldots …, \cdots ⋯, \vdots ⋮, \ddots ⋱ |
Commands
| Command | ID | Default keybinding |
|---|---|---|
| Unicode Comments: Convert LaTeX Commands to Unicode | unicode-comments.convert |
Cmd+Alt+U (macOS), Ctrl+Alt+U (other) |
Usage tips
- Works in any file type. The completion provider attaches to all file and untitled documents.
- Use the bulk command on a selected comment block to convert everything in one pass.
- If auto-close brackets are on, the
}keystroke never reaches the listener so on-}conversion is skipped. The live completion preview and the bulk command both still work.
Known issues
- Auto-close brackets suppress the on-
}auto-convert. Use the live completion item or the bulk command instead. - Conversion is one-way. There is no reverse mapping from Unicode back to LaTeX source.
Release notes
0.0.1
Initial release.
\commandcompletion for ~200 LaTeX-style symbols.\^{...}and\_{...}multi-character super/subscripts.- Auto-convert on
}close, live completion preview, and hover preview. - Bulk convert command with keybinding.