# Overview

Use the Lenses VS Code extension to explore Kafka resources, run Lenses SQL, manage configuration, and work faster without leaving the editor. ### GitHub Copilot and language model tools Connect to Lenses first. In Copilot Chat, enable **agent** mode and extension tools. See [Use tools in chat](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/chat/chat-tools). Destructive actions, such as deleting a topic or environment, still show VS Code confirmation dialogs before they run. Authentication commands are not available as tools. Requires **VS Code 1.96+**. ### Tool references Use these tool references in chat to run SQL, open listings, compare entities, and work with search and indexing. * `#lensesExtensionSql`, `#lensesExtensionDoc`, `#lensesExtensionListing`, `#lensesExtensionTopic`, `#lensesExtensionEnv`, `#lensesExtensionCompare`, `#lensesExtensionSearch`, and `#lensesExtensionOps` are available in **VS Code 1.96+**.

Tool reference	Display name	What it does
`#lensesExtensionSql`	Run Lenses SQL	Opens the SQL editor for an environment and optionally runs a query immediately. Live streaming supported.
`#lensesExtensionDoc`	Open Lenses document	Opens any virtual document in view or edit mode — IAM entities (User, Group, Role, ServiceAccount), Topics, Connectors, Schemas, Provisioning, EnvironmentConfig, EnvironmentCreate, TopicCreate, TopicConfig.
`#lensesExtensionListing`	Open Lenses listing	Opens a listing panel: environments table, topics, IAM (users / groups / roles / service accounts), or the SQL Results panel.
`#lensesExtensionTopic`	Topic action	Runs a topic-scoped action: data snapshot, live data, schema view, consumers, configuration, insert messages, compare across environments, open SQL tab, delete topic (with confirmation), create topic, add bookmark.
`#lensesExtensionEnv`	Environment action	Switches the active environment, opens environment config or provisioning YAML, creates or deletes an environment (with confirmation), refreshes health.
`#lensesExtensionCompare`	Lenses comparison	Opens comparison wizards (topic config, topic schema, groups, roles) or performs a direct diff between two named entities across environments.
`#lensesExtensionSearch`	Lenses search & index	Opens the global search panel or drives search index actions (rebuild, start/stop/pause/resume indexing, validate, view stats).
`#lensesExtensionOps`	Lenses misc command	Miscellaneous commands: refresh tree/bookmarks/notifications, stop SQL, clear results, apply/save changes, schema version actions, connector/consumer group ops, notification management.

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