Description

This LT plugin allows two or more LightTable users to share the same CodeMirror editor. Each user can their own keybindings - yes emacs users can pair with vim users (cats and dogs living together!). LightTable users can also pair with users using a browser-based CodeMirror editor. Shared connections are pesisted through a public firebase connection. If you're concerned about privacy, consider getting a free private ccount.

Install

Install this plugin with LT's plugin manager or clone this project to your LT plugins directory.

Usage

Two LT users

• First user shares their current tab with command Share: Share current tab. ID of created session is copied to clipboard.
• Second user opens a new tab with command File: New file, executes command Share: Attach current tab and inputs first user's ID.

Two LT editors are in sync!

LT user and browser user

• First user shares their current tab with command Share: Share current tab. ID of created session is copied to clipboard.
• Second user, goes to http://demo.firepad.io/#ID where ID is first user's ID.

LT user and browser user are in sync!

Limitations

• Shared connections are per tab/file.
• Only editing experience is shared e.g. text manipulation and highlighting. All LightTable behaviors e.g. evaluation, autocompletion and syntax highlighting are not shared. This means only the original editor can evaluate, etc.

Tips

• In pairing scenarios where eval and other LT features matter, make sure to open a new tab in the same project as the sharer. Also consider screensharing to see the sharer's eval.
• When pairing on anything that's not a plain text file, sharees should set their file syntax with the command Editor: Set current editor syntax.
• Given the ease of sharing, even between browser and editor, this plugin is a good fit for swarm coding a.k.a. pairing as a group.

TODO

• Detach/dispose from current firebase session
• Allow firebase url to be configured
• Consider a workflow where multiple files are shared through one connection. This could be possible by switching files in one tab with this command.

Credits

• Thanks to @jamii for the proof of concept!

Bugs/Issues

Please report them on github.

Contributions

See here for contributing guidelines.

Links

• firepad atom plugin
• sharejs-codemirror - Open source alternative to firebase/firepad which requires running your own server(s) but gives you complete control of shared data.

License

See LICENSE.txt