Runway

Run any script from a smart sidebar panel — npm, shell, Python, Swift, Go, and more.

Runway gives you a dedicated sidebar for all the scripts in your project. Add package.json files, directories, or individual script files and run them with a single click — no more digging through package.json or memorising long commands.

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Features

One-click script running

Click any script to run it in a named terminal. Double-click a running script to stop it. Single-click a running script to bring its terminal into focus.

Running state indicators

Active scripts are highlighted so you always know what's running:

• Amber label — the script name is tinted while the process is active
• ▶ badge — a persistent git-style badge appears to the right of the label
• Stop button — the inline play button swaps to a stop button on hover; click to send Ctrl+C

Runway uses VS Code's shell integration to detect when a process exits naturally, crashes, or is stopped via Ctrl+C in the terminal — not just when the terminal window is closed.

Smart package.json support

Add any package.json and Runway automatically:

• Uses the project's name field as the group heading
• Shows the real npm, pnpm, yarn, or bun logo next to the group
• Detects the package manager from lock files, the packageManager field, or script command patterns
• Runs scripts with the correct command (pnpm run dev, bun run build, etc.)

Script icons

Well-known script names get distinct icons so you can find what you need at a glance:

Icon	Script names
⚡	dev, start, serve, server
📦	build, compile, bundle
🧪	test, spec, e2e
💅	lint, eslint, format, prettier
🔍	typecheck, tsc, types
🧹	clean, reset
🚀	deploy, release, publish
👀	watch, preview
🗄️	db, migrate, seed
✨	generate, gen, scaffold
📚	docs, storybook
📥	install, setup, bootstrap

Multi-language script detection

Add a directory and Runway finds and categorises scripts by type:

Category	Extensions	Runner
Shell Scripts	.sh .bash .zsh	bash
Python Scripts	.py	python3
JavaScript Scripts	.js .mjs .cjs	node
TypeScript Scripts	.ts	npx tsx
Swift Scripts	.swift	swift
Go Scripts	.go	go run
Ruby Scripts	.rb	ruby
PHP Scripts	.php	php
Perl Scripts	.pl	perl
PowerShell Scripts	.ps1	pwsh
Makefile	Makefile	make

Command overrides

Right-click any script → Set Command Override to permanently replace the command. Add flags, env vars, or change the binary entirely. The original command is always shown in the tooltip.

Display name aliases

Right-click → Set Display Name to give any script a friendly label (e.g. rename build:prod to Production Build). The original name stays visible as secondary text.

Open in system terminal

Right-click any script → Open in [Terminal App] to run it in your preferred native terminal. Configure the app under Settings → runway.systemTerminalApp — supports Terminal, Warp, iTerm, and iTerm2.

Live file watching

Scripts update automatically when package.json files change or new files are added to watched directories — no manual refresh needed.

Explicit, opt-in sources

Runway starts empty. You add exactly what you want — no surprise scripts from deep inside node_modules.

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Getting Started

1. Open the Runway panel from the activity bar
2. Click + and choose:
   • Add package.json — pick one or more package.json files
   • Add Directory — scan a folder for all supported script types
   • Add Script File — add a single script file
3. Click any script to run it

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Commands & interactions

Action	How
Run a script	Click the row, or right-click → Run Script
Stop a running script	Click the ⏹ stop button (hover), or double-click the script
Focus a running terminal	Single-click a running script
Open in system terminal	Right-click → Open in [App]
Open source file	Right-click → Open Source File
Override the command	Right-click → Set Command Override...
Clear an override	Right-click → Clear Override
Set a display name	Right-click → Set Display Name...
Remove a source	Right-click a group header → Remove
Remove multiple sources	Click + → Remove Sources...
Refresh the list	Click the refresh button in the panel header

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Configuration

Setting	Default	Description
runway.systemTerminalApp	Terminal	macOS terminal app to use for Open in System Terminal (Terminal, Warp, iTerm, iTerm2)

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Tips

• Monorepos: add each sub-package's package.json separately — each gets its own named group
• Override + display name together: set a custom command and a friendly label to fully control how a script appears and runs
• External scripts: add script files from outside your workspace — they show their full path so you always know where they live
• All overrides and display names are saved per-workspace and persist across reloads

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Requirements

The relevant runtime must be available in your PATH:

• Python scripts require python3
• TypeScript scripts require npx tsx (or install tsx globally)
• Swift scripts require the Swift toolchain
• Go scripts require the Go toolchain
• PowerShell scripts require pwsh

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License

MIT