VS Code ChatResponseStream API

When building VS Code chat participants, all response output flows through the ChatResponseStream object passed to your request handler. This skill documents every supported response type, how to use them, and what to avoid.

When to Use This Skill

Apply this skill when:

• Implementing a VS Code chat participant's request handler
• Formatting rich responses with markdown, buttons, file trees, or references
• Adding follow-up suggestions after a chat response
• Deciding which response method to use for a given UI need

Architecture Context

A chat participant handler receives four parameters: