VS Code: Simple Browser

UpdatedSeptember 17, 2025

•1 min read

Updated September 16, 2025 to indicate that Flares have a singleton mode as explained by PEZ.

I just learned about Calva Flares. Then I wondered, is there something built into VS Code for viewing webpages? There is! It’s called Simple Browser and was added way back in 2021!

For my use case of viewing the Clojure Cheatsheet without leaving VS Code, all I have to do is:

Open the Command Palette and select Simple Browser: Show

Type or paste in the URL

And the page appears!

Simple Browser beats out Flares by having an address bar, back, forward, reload, and open in browser controls. But, Simple Browser is a singleton.

With Flares, I can open as many as I want, and I can have a singleton in the sidebar if I add the key-value pair :sidebar-panel? true.

It’s nice to have options!

#simple-browser #calva-flares #vs-code #webview #clojure #calva

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