Real-Time Memory Monitoring with OpenHands: A Comprehensive Guide to the VSCode Extension

Aug 12, 2025

Introduction to OpenHands Memory Monitor

The OpenHands Memory Monitor is a powerful VSCode extension designed to help developers monitor system and process memory usage in real-time. With the increasing complexity of applications, understanding memory consumption is crucial for optimizing performance and ensuring smooth operation.

Main Features of OpenHands Memory Monitor

  • Real-time Memory Monitoring: Displays current memory usage in the status bar.
  • Detailed Memory Information: View comprehensive memory statistics in a graphical interface.
  • Process Monitoring: Identify top processes by memory usage.
  • Memory Usage History: Track memory usage over time with interactive charts.
  • Cross-Platform Support: Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Technical Architecture and Implementation

The OpenHands Memory Monitor is built using modern web technologies and integrates seamlessly with Visual Studio Code. It leverages the VSCode API to provide real-time updates and detailed insights into memory usage.

With a codebase of 1953 files and 292067 lines of code, the project is structured to facilitate easy navigation and modification. The architecture is modular, allowing developers to extend its functionality easily.

Setup and Installation Process

To get started with the OpenHands Memory Monitor, follow these steps:

  1. Clone the repository from GitHub.
  2. Navigate to the project directory and install the necessary dependencies using:
  3. npm install
  4. Open the project in VSCode and run the extension using:
  5. code .
  6. Start monitoring memory usage by launching the extension.

Usage Examples and API Overview

Once installed, the OpenHands Memory Monitor automatically starts monitoring memory usage when VSCode is launched. Here are some key commands you can use:

  • Start Memory Monitor: Initiates memory monitoring.
  • Stop Memory Monitor: Halts memory monitoring.
  • Show Memory Details: Opens a detailed view of memory statistics.

The detailed memory view includes:

  • System Memory: Total, used, and free memory statistics.
  • Process Memory: Memory usage of the VSCode extension host process.
  • Memory History: Interactive charts showing memory usage over time.
  • Top Processes: A list of processes consuming the most memory.

Community and Contribution Aspects

OpenHands encourages community contributions and collaboration. Developers can contribute by:

  • Reporting issues on the issues page.
  • Providing feedback through the feedback system.
  • Submitting pull requests for code improvements or new features.

For more detailed guidelines on contributing, refer to the Development documentation.

License and Legal Considerations

The OpenHands Memory Monitor is licensed under the MIT License, allowing for free use, modification, and distribution. Ensure to include the license notice in all copies or substantial portions of the software.

For more information, refer to the full license text included in the repository.

Conclusion

The OpenHands Memory Monitor is an essential tool for developers looking to optimize their applications by monitoring memory usage effectively. With its rich feature set and community-driven development, it stands out as a valuable addition to any developer’s toolkit.

For more information and to get started, visit the OpenHands GitHub repository.

FAQ Section

What is OpenHands Memory Monitor?

The OpenHands Memory Monitor is a VSCode extension that allows developers to monitor system and process memory usage in real-time.

How do I install the OpenHands Memory Monitor?

Clone the repository from GitHub, install dependencies, and open the project in VSCode to start using the extension.

Can I contribute to OpenHands?

Yes! OpenHands welcomes contributions. You can report issues, provide feedback, or submit pull requests to improve the project.