Documentation

Virdl earns you money while you code. Small, non-intrusive ads appear in your VS Code sidebar and status bar — and you get paid for every verified view. Here's how to set it up.

Install on VS Code →Create account

1. Install the extension

Open VS Code Extensions

Press Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+X (Mac) to open the Extensions panel.

Search for Virdl

Type Virdl in the search box. Look for "Virdl — Get paid to code on VS Code" by MalayDev.

Or go directly to the Marketplace listing and click Install.

Click Install

VS Code will install the extension and activate it automatically. You'll see a Virdl icon appear in the Activity Bar on the left.

You'll see a prompt asking you to set your API key — keep VS Code open and follow the next steps to get one.

2. Create your account

Sign in with GitHub

Go to virdl.com/login and click Continue with GitHub. We use GitHub to verify you're a real developer — no separate password to manage.

Open your dashboard

After signing in you'll land on your dashboard. This is where you can see your balance, earnings history, and manage payouts.

Generate an API key

On the dashboard, find the Extension API key card and click Generate key.

Copy the key immediately — it's only shown once. If you lose it you can always regenerate a new one.

Your API key starts with virdl_live_. Keep it private — it links ad views to your account.

3. Connect VS Code to your account

Open the Command Palette

Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac).

Run Virdl: Set API Key

Type Virdl: Set API Key and press Enter. A password input will appear — paste your key and press Enter.

The key is stored in VS Code's built-in Secret Storage, not in a plain settings file. It never touches disk in plaintext.

Confirm it's working

Run Virdl: Show Earnings from the Command Palette. You should see "You've earned $0.00 so far." — that means the key is valid and you're connected.

The Virdl sidebar panel will also load your first ad within a few seconds.

How earning works

Ads rotate automatically every 75 seconds while VS Code is focused.

Only real views pay. An impression is only credited if the ad was genuinely on screen for a minimum amount of time (measured server-side, not client-reported). Clicks are tracked for advertisers but don't affect your earnings — only views do.

Two surfaces, both optional. Ads appear in the sidebar panel and the status bar. You can disable either one individually in VS Code settings.

Your balance updates in real-time on your dashboard. Check it any time at virdl.com/dashboard.

Commands

Command	What it does
`Virdl: Set API Key`	Connect your dashboard account to this editor. Run this once after installing.
`Virdl: Show Earnings`	Show a quick popup with your current balance.
`Virdl: Refresh Ad`	Manually rotate to a new ad right now.
`Virdl: Pause Ads`	Temporarily stop showing ads and stop the rotation timer.
`Virdl: Resume Ads`	Resume after pausing.
`Virdl: Open Settings`	Jump straight to Virdl's settings in VS Code.

Settings

All settings are under virdl.* in VS Code preferences (Ctrl+, or Cmd+,, then search virdl).

Setting	Default	Description
`virdl.enabled`	true	Master on/off switch.
`virdl.showInSidebar`	true	Show the ad card in the Virdl sidebar panel.
`virdl.showInStatusBar`	true	Show a rotating ad in the status bar.
`virdl.showInExplorer`	true	Show a small "Sponsored" section in the Explorer panel.
`virdl.adRotationSeconds`	75	Seconds between automatic ad rotations. Minimum 30.

Payouts

Minimum balance$10.00

Payout cycleMonthly, manual review

MethodACH bank transfer (US)

FeesNone

When your balance reaches $10, a Request withdrawal button appears on your dashboard. Click it to submit a request — we review and pay out manually at the end of each month. You'll hear from us via the email on your GitHub account.

Virdl is in beta. Payouts are real and being processed, but the payment flow is manual while we scale up. See our Terms of Service for the full payout policy.

FAQ

Does Virdl see my code?

No. The extension never reads your files, file names, or editor state. We only see ad interaction data (impressions, clicks).

What if no ads are available?

The extension shows nothing and silently waits for the next rotation. You won't see an empty or broken panel.

Can I use Virdl with Copilot, Claude, Cursor, etc.?

Yes — Virdl works alongside any AI assistant or tool with no conflicts.

Will it drain my battery or slow VS Code?

No. The extension is under 2 MB and makes lightweight network requests on a simple timer. Zero impact on editor performance.

I lost my API key. What do I do?

Go to your dashboard, click "Regenerate key" on the API key card, then run "Virdl: Set API Key" in VS Code with the new key. Your old key is revoked immediately.

How do I uninstall?

Open Extensions in VS Code (Ctrl+Shift+X), search Virdl, and click Uninstall. Your account and earned balance are preserved — you can reinstall anytime.

Still stuck? Report a bug and we'll get back to you.