Keeping VS Code, Adding a Canvas: A Diary

Moving between files in a traditional editor often feels like looking through a straw. While keeping VS Code as my primary environment for deep coding, I recently started exploring how an infinite canvas could solve the mental overhead of switching tabs. This VS Code diary documents the transition toward a hybrid workflow, where the IDE handles the logic and a spatial workspace handles the context.

The Cognitive Load of Tab Management

Most developers spend a significant portion of their day managing tabs. When you are debugging a complex interaction between a frontend component, a backend API, and a database schema, the linear nature of a standard editor becomes a bottleneck. You have to remember what was in the hidden tab while looking at the active one.

Visual memory is powerful. When information is placed in a specific physical location on a screen, your brain recalls it faster. This is why many developers use multiple monitors. However, even with three monitors, you are limited by physical boundaries. An infinite canvas removes these walls, allowing you to group related tools together.

Integrating an Infinite Canvas into the Workflow

The goal is not to replace the IDE but to augment it. I began using Deska to create a visual map of my current task. Since it is a local-first application, I did not have to worry about my source code or environment variables leaving my machine.

The setup involves placing different functional units side by side. In one corner of the canvas, I keep the documentation. In another, a terminal cluster. In the center, a code editor panel. This spatial arrangement stays persistent. When I return to a project after a weekend, I do not have to reopen twenty tabs. I simply zoom out to see the entire architecture of my last session.

Strategic Panel Placement

A canvas is only as useful as its organization. I found success using a tripod layout:

• The Left Wing: Research and documentation. I use browser-widgets to keep API references open next to the implementation.
• The Center: The active work zone. This is where I use the built-in Monaco editor for quick tweaks or stay synced with my main project files.
• The Right Wing: Execution and feedback. This area holds terminals and test runners.

Orchestrating AI Agents in Parallel

One of the biggest shifts in my daily routine involves how I interact with AI. In a standard editor, AI is usually a sidebar or a popup. When using a canvas, you can treat AI agents as distinct collaborators with their own dedicated space.

I have been running multiple agents side by side to compare their outputs. By placing Claude Code and OpenCode in adjacent panels, I can see how different models approach the same refactoring task. This parallel execution is difficult to manage in a single-file view but feels natural on a canvas.

The ability to use coding-agents while having the terminal and the browser visible at the same time reduces the need for context switching. If an agent suggests a command, I can see it run in the terminal panel immediately without hiding the code.

The Role of Ask Deska

Navigation in a large canvas can become a challenge if done purely by mouse. This is where the voice and chat assistant comes in. By using Ask Deska, I can give verbal commands to reconfigure my workspace.

For example, I can say "open a new terminal and run the build script" or "find the notes panel I created yesterday." The assistant drives the workspace, which allows me to keep my hands on the keyboard or focus on the visual layout. It acts as a bridge between my intent and the spatial arrangement of the tools.

Keeping the Connection on Mobile

A common frustration with desktop-bound workflows is the inability to check on a long-running process once you step away. I started using the mobile app to bridge this gap. Because the devices pair directly without exposing ports to the internet, it maintains a high security standard.

1. Start a long test suite or a build process on the desktop canvas.
2. Pair the phone using the secure relay.
3. Monitor the terminal output from another room.
4. If a bug appears, I can use the mobile interface to stop the process or read the logs.

This does not mean I am coding on my phone. It means the state of my workspaces is no longer trapped at my desk.

Comparing Workspace Philosophies

It is helpful to look at how different tools handle developer productivity.

Standard IDEs are excellent for deep focus on a single file. They provide robust refactoring tools and type checking. A canvas excels at synthesis. It is the place where you bring the code, the output, the documentation, and the AI agents together to see the big picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to use VS Code with an infinite canvas?

The best approach is to keep VS Code for heavy typing and use the canvas for orchestration. You can point both tools at the same local directory. Changes made in one are reflected in the other because the file system is the single source of truth.

Can I run AI agents locally in a canvas?

Yes, you can run various agents side by side. By using your own API keys, you maintain control over the cost and the specific models used. The canvas allows you to view the agent-threads alongside the actual code they are modifying.

Is a canvas workspace better for multitasking?

It is better for "contextual multitasking." Instead of jumping between unrelated tasks, it helps you manage multiple streams of information related to a single complex task. You see the relationship between your terminal errors and your source code visually.

Transitioning to a Spatial Workflow

Adopting a canvas does not require abandoning the tools you already love. It is an evolutionary step in how we organize information. By moving away from the constraints of tabs and embracing a spatial layout, you can reduce the mental energy spent on navigation.

If you want to experiment with this layout, you can download the free desktop app for Mac, Windows, or Linux and start building your first visual workspace today.