---

name: smith-ide description: IDE path variable mappings for VS Code, Cursor, Kiro, and JetBrains. Use when writing or editing IDE config files or using path variables. Covers variable translation between conceptual and IDE-specific syntax.

IDE Path Variable Mappings

• Scope: Maps conceptual path variables to IDE-specific syntax
• Load if: Writing/editing IDE config files (.vscode/, .kiro/, .cursor/) OR using IDE path variables
• Prerequisites: @smith-principles/SKILL.md, @smith-standards/SKILL.md, @smith-style/SKILL.md

CRITICAL: Variable Translation (Primacy Zone)

Always use conceptual variables in documentation, translate to IDE-specific syntax in configs:

• $WORKSPACE_ROOT → ${workspaceFolder} (VS Code) or $PROJECT_DIR$ (JetBrains)
• $HOME → ${userHome} (VS Code) or $USER_HOME$ (JetBrains)

Overview

Maps conceptual path variables to IDE-specific syntax. For variable definitions and usage, see @smith-style/SKILL.md#path-references.

Conceptual Variables

Defined in: @smith-style/SKILL.md#path-references

For path variable definitions ($WORKSPACE_ROOT, $REPO_ROOT, $HOME) and usage patterns, see @smith-style/SKILL.md#path-references.

IDE Syntax Mappings

VS Code-Based IDEs (VS Code, Cursor, Kiro)

Syntax: ${variableName}

Common Variables:

• ${workspaceFolder} — Workspace root directory
• ${userHome} — User home directory
• ${env:VAR} — Environment variable
• ${config:key} — Settings value

Mappings:

• $WORKSPACE_ROOT → ${workspaceFolder}
• $REPO_ROOT → ${env:REPO_ROOT} or ${workspaceFolder}/../../../../
• $HOME → ${userHome}

Multi-root workspaces: Use ${workspaceFolder:folderName} for specific folders

Configuration:

• VS Code/Cursor: .vscode/settings.json
• Kiro: .kiro/settings/mcp.json (workspace) or ~/.kiro/settings/mcp.json (global)

Note: Kiro is VS Code-based (Code OSS fork) and inherits VS Code configuration system.

JetBrains IDEs (PyCharm, IntelliJ IDEA)

Syntax: $MACRO_NAME$

Common Macros:

• $PROJECT_DIR$ — Project root directory
• $USER_HOME$ — User home directory

Mappings:

• $WORKSPACE_ROOT → $PROJECT_DIR$
• $REPO_ROOT → $PROJECT_DIR$/../../../../ (or custom path variable)
• $HOME → $USER_HOME$

Configuration: File → Settings → Appearance & Behavior → Path Variables

Best Practices

1. Documentation: Always use conceptual variables ($WORKSPACE_ROOT, $REPO_ROOT, $HOME)
2. IDE Configs: Translate to IDE-specific syntax using above mappings
3. Cross-IDE Compatibility: Prefer environment variables when possible
4. Security: Use variable references for sensitive values, never hardcode

Reference

• VS Code Variables: Documentation
• PyCharm Macros: Documentation
• Path Standards: @smith-style/SKILL.md#path-references

ACTION (Recency Zone)

When writing IDE configs:

1. Use conceptual variables in docs ($WORKSPACE_ROOT)
2. Translate to IDE syntax in config files
3. Prefer environment variables for cross-IDE compatibility