Modern software teams often juggle multiple tools, codebases, and data sources. Retool’s low-code environment greatly simplifies building internal tools, but what if you want to manage and optimize your Retool queries using a more traditional development workflow?
That’s where the Retool VS Code extension comes in. It brings local editing—complete with custom keybindings, flexible window management, and integration with existing repositories—right to your fingertips.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to set up the Retool VS Code extension and use it to optimize queries for better performance, maintainability, and collaboration.
Why Edit Queries in VS Code?
Retool provides a powerful in-browser editor for queries, components, and workflows. Yet many development teams prefer the convenience of a local IDE for tasks like:
Leaning on Existing Dev Workflows: Linting, Git versioning, third-party extensions, and robust search/replace features.
Streamlined Collaboration: Teams can branch, merge, and review code changes via Git, just as they would for any application.
Deeper Customization: For advanced logic in JavaScript or complex SQL queries, a local editor often provides better autocomplete, debugging, and refactoring tools.
You can keep your internal tools code in sync with your standard engineering practices by editing queries in VS Code.
Need assistance setting up local environments or advanced workflows in Retool? Talk to Toolpioneers about optimizing your entire development pipeline.
Overview of the Retool VS Code Extension
The Retool VS Code Integration lets you edit queries within apps (including those protected by Source Control) directly in Visual Studio Code. While still in beta for versions 3.24.0+, it already offers:
Custom Keybindings & Extensions: Leverage your familiar shortcuts and plugins like GitHub Copilot or code spell checkers.
Flexible Window Management: Split panes or compare queries side by side in your IDE.
Hot Reload-Style Sync: When you save locally, the changes sync back to Retool automatically. Then, you can refocus the browser tab to see your newly updated query.
It’s important to note that GUI-mode queries (like mostly graphical SQL or REST configuration) don’t appear in VS Code yet. Only code-based queries are supported, and you can’t currently create, rename, or delete queries from VS Code—those operations must be performed in the Retool web editor.
Curious about more advanced use cases, like integrating custom CI/CD for your Retool queries? Toolpioneers can help you plan and implement a seamless developer workflow.
Setting Up the Extension
To begin editing and optimizing queries in your local environment, complete these steps:
Enable VS Code Editing
Your Retool admin must enable “VS Code Editing Enabled” under Settings > Beta in your Retool instance.
Make sure Retool is at version 3.24.0 or later. If not, consult the changelog to find a compatible extension.
Install the VS Code Extension
In Visual Studio Code, go to the Extensions panel and search for “Retool”.
Download the extension, ensuring it matches your Retool version if you’re self-hosted or on an older release.
Start from Browser or VS Code
From Browser: Open an app in Retool, head to the Code tab, and click the VS Code icon. Authorize to launch VS Code.
From VS Code: Search the Command Palette for “Retool: Sign in...” to log in, then “Retool: Open App” to select which queries you want to edit.
After you sign in, the extension downloads relevant query files to a local folder. You can then edit those .json or .yml files in VS Code.
Need help migrating an existing Retool app and its queries into a local repository?
Toolpioneers can guide you through best practices for file organization and version control.
Editing & Optimizing Queries Locally
Once your files are local, you can edit queries to improve performance and maintainability. For instance:
SQL: Adjust pagination, add indexes, or parameterize filters.
JavaScript: Split logic into smaller functions, reduce complexity, or transform data more cleanly.
REST: Pass query parameters to filter results at the server level.
Typical Workflow
Open the Query FileInside the queries/ directory, you’ll see files like getUsers.query.json. This contains the query configuration, including resource info, code, and triggers.
Rewrite or RefactorIf it’s SQL, you might see something like "sql": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = {{ userId }}". Add LIMIT or OFFSET or switch to an indexed column to speed up lookups. For a REST request, ensure you’re only fetching the data you actually need.
Save & SyncPress Ctrl/Cmd + S. The VS Code extension syncs the updated query back to Retool. When you return focus to the browser editor, the query is refreshed. Run it to confirm the improvements.
Not sure how to add pagination or advanced logic in your queries? Toolpioneers can optimize your SQL, REST, or JavaScript code for peak performance.
Best Practices for Optimizing Queries
1. Parameterize & Filter at the Source
Regardless of query type, it’s crucial to handle only the data you truly need. In SQL, use WHERE clauses with mustache variables (like {{ userId }}) to filter results. In REST queries, rely on query parameters so the server does the filtering, preventing you from over-fetching data.
2. Be Mindful of Linters and Formatters
Auto-formatting can break some of Retool’s {{ }} expressions if your linter doesn’t recognize them. You can still keep ESLint or Prettier active for suggestions, but it’s wise to disable “Format on Save.” This prevents accidental code changes that hamper the mustache syntax.
3. Keep an Eye on Merge Conflicts
If another teammate modifies the same query in Retool’s browser editor (or in their own VS Code environment), you might see a merge conflict when you try to save. VS Code will prompt you to resolve these differences—be sure you confirm which lines are correct before finalizing.
4. Use Type Completion for JavaScript Queries
Retool auto-refreshes type completions for built-in libraries, widget names, and utility functions (e.g., utils.confetti, utils.downloadFile) every 60 seconds. If you need a fresh type hint, run Retool: Refresh from Retool in the Command Palette.
Toolpioneers can help you craft robust, maintainable solutions that fit your architecture for advanced scenarios like multi-step workflows or bridging data from multiple sources.
Known Limitations
Because the Retool VS Code extension remains in beta, some features may be missing or incomplete:
No Creating, Renaming, or Deleting Queries in VS Code: Perform these tasks in Retool’s web editor, then run “Retool: Refresh from Retool” to sync.
GUI-Mode Queries Not Supported: If your query was built entirely via the graphical UI, it won’t appear in VS Code.
Multiplayer Editing & Hot Reload: If multiplayer is enabled, you may lose hot reloading. The extension also can’t handle queries from multiple Retool instances simultaneously.
Linters & Formatters: Tools like Prettier might treat Retool expressions as raw JS and break them on auto-format.
Despite these constraints, the extension still provides a powerful way to maintain code-based queries.
Need a strategy to navigate these limitations effectively? Toolpioneers has deep experience with Retool and can advise on workflow best practices, even in beta features.
Conclusion
The Retool VS Code extension merges the convenience of local development with Retool’s low-code environment. By editing your queries in VS Code, you gain features like custom keybindings, flexible layouts, and seamless version control—all while hot-reloading changes back into Retool.
Though still in beta, it already supports code-based queries, offers type completion for JavaScript, and integrates with your existing dev tools.
Remember these key points as you move forward:
Filter & Paginate at the source to prevent loading unnecessary data.
Disable or Customize Format on Save if your linter conflicts with {{ }} expressions.
Resolve Merge Conflicts promptly if teammates make parallel edits in the browser.
Stay Aware of Beta Limitations, including no creation/renaming of queries in VS Code.
Ultimately, the extension is a game-changer for dev teams wanting the best of both worlds: the robustness of local coding plus Retool’s speed for building internal apps. Whether you’re refactoring a complex SQL query or bridging multiple REST endpoints, the Retool VS Code extension can accelerate your workflow and boost code quality.
Looking to get the most out of Retool and the VS Code extension? Toolpioneers has extensive experience optimizing queries, setting up advanced workflows, and customizing Retool for diverse business needs. Reach out today to discover how they can streamline your internal tools.