What is Code Helper (Plugin) on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
Usually runs VS Code extensions and the language tools they start, like TypeScript's server.
In VS Code, Code Helper (Plugin) processes typically host extensions and the language servers they start, such as TypeScript, Python or ESLint tooling. High usage here almost always points to an extension or language tool working hard on your project.
- Category
- Developer tools
- Made by
- Microsoft
- Safe to quit:
- With care
Shown in Activity Monitor as Code Helper (Plugin)
Why is Code Helper (Plugin) using so much CPU or memory?
- Language servers analysing a large project
- Linters or formatters running on save
- AI or indexing extensions
- An extension stuck in a loop
What to do
- 1Open Help > Open Process Explorer to see which extension or tool it is
- 2Run 'Developer: Show Running Extensions' to spot slow extensions
- 3Disable extensions one at a time, or use 'Help: Start Extension Bisect'
- 4Restart VS Code
Safe to quit? With care.
VS Code usually restarts it; extensions stop working until it does.
Related processes
Part of the Taskglass Process Library