Last updated: 2026-10-06 (CodeAlong 0.2.0)
CodeAlong consists of a Chrome extension and a VS Code extension. This policy covers both.
CodeAlong does not collect, store, sell or share any personal data. Everything it does happens on your own computer. There is no CodeAlong server, account, analytics or tracking.
| Data | Why | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| The fact that you edited or saved a file in VS Code | To know when to pause and continue the tutorial | From VS Code to the Chrome extension, on your computer only |
| State of the tutorial video (playing/paused, current time) | To pause, resume and rewind it | Between the two extensions, on your computer only |
| Title and host name of the tab you follow | To show which tutorial is active in VS Code and Chrome | Between the two extensions, on your computer only |
| Your settings and the followed tab | To remember your choices | Stored locally in Chrome (chrome.storage.local, not synced); settings are also sent to VS Code on your computer so it can apply them |
CodeAlong never reads the contents of your files, never records keystrokes, never reads web pages beyond the video element and title of the tab you choose to follow, and never sends anything over the internet.
The two extensions communicate over a local connection (127.0.0.1) that only the CodeAlong Chrome
extension and other CodeAlong VS Code windows can use. A random key file
(~/.codealong/editor-token) lets your VS Code windows recognise each other. It contains no
personal data.
“Copy diagnostics” in the popup (Troubleshooting) puts a short report on your clipboard only when you click it: versions, connection state, settings and recent event names. It leaves out page titles and URLs, and nothing is sent anywhere unless you paste it somewhere yourself.
The Chrome extension asks for access to YouTube, Vimeo and Laracasts so it can find and control their video players. It asks for other sites only when you click Follow this tab there, and only for that site. See the permission justifications for details.
None. CodeAlong includes no third-party services, SDKs or remote code.
Questions: open an issue. Security concerns: see SECURITY.md.
Changes to this policy are published in this file and noted in the changelog.