Understanding who changed what and when in your codebase is crucial for effective development. Git Blame Hover transforms this essential task from a tedious command-line operation into an instant, informative experience right within VS Code
What is Git Blame Hover?
Git Blame Hover is an advanced VS Code extension that provides comprehensive git blame information through rich hover tooltips. Unlike basic git blame tools, it offers a complete solution with hover-first design, author analytics, visual heat maps, and platform integration – all with zero configuration required
Key Features That Set It Apart
Advanced Hover Tooltips
When you hover over any line of code, Git Blame Hover displays a rich tooltip containing:
- Author information: Who last modified the line
- Commit details: Date, message, and hash
- Platform integration: Direct links to GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, or Azure Repos
- File context: Line numbers and file statistics
- Author avatars: Gravatar integration for visual identification
Visual Features
- Heat maps: Color-coded visualization of code age
- Inline annotations: Optional blame info at line endings
- Author analytics: File contribution statistics and insights
- File history: View git history for the current file
Platform Integration
Seamlessly works with major git hosting platforms:
- GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure DevOps
- Clickable commit links for instant navigation
- Automatic platform detection from repository URLs
Getting Started: Installation and First Use
Installation
- Open VS Code
- Navigate to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
- Search for “Git Blame Hover”
- Install the extension published by Canarys Automations
Immediate Usage
Once installed, the extension works automatically:
- Open any file in a git repository
- Hover your mouse over any line of code
- View instant blame information in the tooltip
No configuration needed – it works out of the box!
Git Blame Hover transforms git blame from a command-line necessity into an integrated, informative part of your development workflow. With its rich tooltips, comprehensive analytics, and extensive customization options, it becomes an indispensable tool for understanding and navigating your codebase