EngMock

VS Code mode · Preview

Take your coding interview in your own VS Code

Write and run code in your own editor, with your theme, keybindings and shortcuts, while the AI interviewer talks with you in the browser. Algorithm, object-oriented design and AI-assisted coding questions.
Set up a coding interviewDownload the extension (.vsix)

Key facts

  • VS Code mode lets you answer EngMock’s algorithm, object-oriented design and AI-assisted coding questions in your own VS Code (version 1.90 or later) through the EngMock extension.
  • The voice interview stays in your browser tab, so keep that tab open; it can stay in the background.
  • VS Code mode always uses Runnable Coding: Run sends your code to EngMock’s sandbox, the same as Run on the interview page, and the interviewer sees every run. Runs in your own terminal are not part of the interview.
  • The extension installs from a .vsix file on engmock.com; it is not on the Visual Studio Marketplace yet.
  • For algorithm and object-oriented design questions: Inline completion from your editor (for example GitHub Copilot suggestions) is allowed; AI chat assistants and agents are not.
  • For AI-assisted coding questions: EngMock’s coding assistant opens in its own column to the right of your code, and it is the only AI that counts: your AI use is assessed from your conversation with it.
  • VS Code mode is in preview and costs nothing extra: the interview uses the same credit, or the Unlimited plan, as in the browser.

How it works

From the setup page to your editor in four steps

  1. 1

    Choose VS Code on the setup page

    Pick a algorithm, object-oriented design and AI-assisted coding question, then choose VS Code under Editor. The interview uses Runnable Coding.
  2. 2

    Install the EngMock extension once

    Download engmock.vsix, then in VS Code open Extensions (⇧⌘X on macOS, Ctrl+Shift+X elsewhere), click … at the top of the view, choose Install from VSIX… and pick the file.
  3. 3

    Connect this interview

    Click Open in VS Code on the interview page, or run EngMock: Connect to an Interview… from the Command Palette and type the pairing code. A code works once and expires after 10 minutes. EngMock creates a folder for the interview (in ~/EngMock unless you choose another place) with the question’s files.
  4. 4

    Start and talk

    Start from the EngMock panel in VS Code or from the interview page. A browser tab needs one click on the page before it can use your microphone, so the page may ask you to click Start there once.

During the interview

Everything stays a keystroke away

Shortcuts are shown for macOS and for Windows and Linux.

Run code

⌥⌘↩ on macOS, Ctrl+Alt+Enter on Windows and Linux, or the ▶ button above the editor. Code runs in EngMock’s sandbox and the interviewer sees each run.

Talk

In Manual speaking mode, ⌃⌥M or Ctrl+Alt+M starts and stops talking. Switch Auto / Manual in the EngMock panel.

The EngMock panel

It sits in the Explorer under your files, so you can open files and still see it; EngMock in the status bar or the EngMock icon in the activity bar opens it too. It shows the question, the time left and your runs, with buttons to pause, resume and end.

Every command

Press ⇧⌘P or Ctrl+Shift+P and type EngMock: run code, change language, restore starter files, switch to the browser editor and more.

Change language

Change language in the panel, or with EngMock: Change Language…. For design questions, the files of the language you leave wait in .engmock/languages and come back when you switch back.

The interview page

Shows a read-only copy of your VS Code files as you type, before you save, so the interviewer follows your code live.

AI-assisted coding

EngMock’s assistant opens beside your code

In AI-assisted coding interviews the assistant opens in its own column to the right of your code, and the EngMock panel on the left stays the interview’s controls.
  • It reads the interview’s files, and each request also sends the file you are in and the lines you selected; remove a chip to leave it out.
  • It cannot see the interview question, the rubric or the interviewer, and it does not edit your files: it only answers, and code in its replies has a Copy button.
  • It is the same conversation as the assistant on the interview page, with the same limits.
  • It is the only AI that counts. Your AI use is assessed from your conversation with it, together with your code, your runs and what you explain.

Who it is for

Practice in the environment you will actually use

You think in your own editor

Your keybindings, theme and muscle memory, instead of a browser editor you use once a month.

Your interviews allow your IDE

Rehearse with the tools and the inline completion you will have on the day, and still explain every line.

You want a real repository feel

Design and AI-assisted coding questions open as a folder of files you can navigate, search and run.

Limits

What VS Code mode does not do

  • Only algorithm, object-oriented design and AI-assisted coding questions. System design interviews stay on the browser whiteboard.
  • Runnable Coding only: Whiteboard Coding (No Run) is not available in VS Code, because an editor’s own completion cannot be turned off.
  • Only the interview’s files are sent: for an algorithm question, the file for your language; for a design question, source and text files in the interview folder. Folders such as .git and node_modules never are. Files over 50 KB, more than 30 files, or more than 1 MB in total are not sent, and the panel lists them.
  • Switching to the browser editor is one-way: you keep the code you have and finish the interview in the browser.
  • Start within 10 minutes of setting up, or the setup expires and any credit it used is returned.
  • The browser tab carries the voice, so it must stay open. The connection token works only for that interview and is kept in VS Code’s secret storage.

VS Code mode FAQ

Do I still need the browser in VS Code mode?
Yes. The voice interview runs in the browser tab: keep it open, though it can stay in the background. You write, run and change your code in VS Code, and the page shows a live read-only copy.
Can I use GitHub Copilot in VS Code mode?
In algorithm and object-oriented design interviews, inline completion such as Copilot’s suggestions is allowed; AI chat assistants and agents are not. In AI-assisted coding interviews, use EngMock’s assistant, which opens beside your code: AI used anywhere else is not visible to the interview and earns no credit.
Which files does EngMock see?
Only the interview’s files, while the interview is open. Other files on your computer, and folders such as .git and node_modules, are never sent. Files over the size or count limits (50 KB per file, 30 files, 1 MB in total) are listed in the panel instead.
Can I switch back to the browser editor?
Yes, once: Switch to the browser editor moves the interview to the editor on the interview page with the code you have now, for the rest of the interview.
Is the extension on the VS Code Marketplace?
Not yet. Install it from the engmock.vsix file that engmock.com serves: Extensions, then … and Install from VSIX…. VS Code 1.90 or later is required.

Related

Bring your editor to your next mock interview

Choose a algorithm, object-oriented design and AI-assisted coding question and pick VS Code on the setup page.

Set up a coding interview