Codelens features and Visual Studio versions [Updated for 2013.3ctp1]

by Jesse Houwing

Update: Visual Studio 2013.3 CTP 1 Adds support for Git repositories!

If you're as happy with the new CodeLens features in Visual Studio 2013 ultimate as I am, you've probably found out that some of the features rely on server side features. This means that some Code Lenses only work when you are connected to the latest version of Team Foundation Server (2013).

Even Visual Studio Online doesn't (yet) support Code Lens. The background processing it introduces on the number of Visual Studio Online accounts that are currently active on the service is not something that should be taken lightly. Given the tremendous value of Code Lens, I expect the server dependent lenses to be enabled in the months to come, there is a UserVoice suggestion you can track for this item.

Support for Git was added in Visual Studio Update 3 and now most indicators work also when using Git as your source control provider. Even cooler is that Codelens for Git also works with 3rd party Git hosters such as GitHub. Update 4 extends that even further. The best part is that for the Git lenses, it's not required to upgrade the TFS server, these work against your local repo and thus don't need server side processing.

CodeLens is currently only supported when editing C# and VB.NET. C++ (managed and unmanaged), Javascript, TypeScript and F# or any other file format are currently not supported.

| Lens | Team Foundation Server version | Visual Studio Online | 3rd Party |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ≤2010 | 2012 | 2013 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TFVC | Git | TFVC | Git |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Test Status** | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| References | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tested By** | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Authors | no | no | yes* | yes (u3) | yes | yes (u3) | Git (u3) |
| Changes | no | no | yes* | yes (u3) | yes | yes (u3) | Git (u3) |
| Bugs update 1 | no | no | yes* | yes (u3) | yes | yes (u3) | no |
| Work Items update 1 | no | no | yes* | yes (u3) | yes | yes (u3) | no |
| Code Reviews update 1 | no | no | yes* | no | yes | no | no |
| Code Health add-on | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Incoming Changes update 3&4 | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | Git |
| Intellitrace update 2 | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

* Works only when connected to your Team foundation Server.

** Supports MsTest, XUnit (requires latest adapter version) and NUnit.

If you have an idea for a new Code Lens, please submit your suggestion here.

I will update this table when new Lenses appear or when new Lenses are enabled on another Server, Source Control Repository or on Visual Studio Online.

Leave a comment.