Common Usage

Typical usage by feature module to help you integrate CodeExpander into your daily workflow.

Snippets

Email / Report Templates

Create a snippet with abbreviation report:

This week:
- %filltext&name=Item 1%
- %filltext&name=Item 2%

Next week:
- %filltext&name=Plan 1%

Risks: %fillarea&name=Risk description%

Trigger and fill FillIn fields to generate the full block. Less retyping, consistent format.

Code Wrappers

try/except, async wrappers:

try:
    %c%
except Exception as e:
    logger.error(f"Error: {e}")
    raise

Abbreviation try-py + Tab inserts; cursor at %c% to continue. Less boilerplate.

Prompt Templates

Turn common prompts into snippets with FillIn; group by scenario (code gen, review, docs):

Please implement the following in %fillmenu&name=Language&options=Python,JavaScript,Rust%:
%fillarea&name=Feature description%

Requirements:
- %fillcheck&name=Include comments%
- %fillcheck&name=Include unit tests%

Reusable, iterable prompts.

Nested Snippets

Reuse common content across multiple snippets:

%s:header%  ← inserts header snippet content

Body: %fillarea&name=Content%

%s:footer%  ← inserts footer snippet content

Change once, apply everywhere.

See AI Programming Guide, AI Use Cases.

Screenshot & Annotation

Tutorial Images

1. Region or window capture
2. Annotate (arrows, highlights, numbered circles)
3. Style background (gradient, rounded corners, shadow)
4. Copy to document

Consistent look, fast.

Bug Reports

1. Capture window or region
2. Blur/mosaic sensitive parts
3. Arrow/text annotations for issue points
4. Copy to colleague or Issue

Clear, safe.

Code Review

1. Capture code area
2. Arrows/numbers for issues
3. Add text notes
4. Export or copy to review tool

Clear feedback.

Scroll Capture

Web page or long code → scroll capture → auto stitch → annotate key areas → save.

Pin Overlay

After capture click Pin; image stays on top, opacity adjustable; reference while writing docs or code.

See Screenshot & Annotation.

Clipboard

Multiple Copies

After copying several items, in the clipboard window:

• Filter by type (Text / Image / Files)
• Full-text search by keyword
• Single or double click to paste into current window
• Pin favorites (won’t be pushed out by new copies)

No more losing the previous copy.

Paste Without Format

Enable “Paste as plain text” in Settings for clean paste from web/docs into code or notes.

Create Snippet from Clipboard

Copy some code → press “Create snippet from clipboard” shortcut → content auto-filled; just add abbreviation and group.

Batch Paste

Batch copy config values, API keys, etc.; paste in order from clipboard window (good for env var setup, form filling).

(Clipboard history and favorites are Pro. See Clipboard.)

Combined Workflows

Writing Technical Blogs

1. Screenshot code or UI
2. Annotate arrows, numbers
3. Style background → copy
4. In editor type blog-img + Tab to insert image Markdown template
5. Use blog-tpl to expand article structure template

AI-Assisted Programming

1. Use ai-code to expand code generation prompt → paste to ChatGPT/Claude
2. Copy AI reply code → clipboard history records automatically
3. Create snippet from clipboard to save quality code
4. Wrap with try-py / try-js

Daily Office Work

• sig → email signature
• addr → shipping address (FillIn selects home/office)
• mtg → meeting template (time, topic, attendees)
• thx → thank you message (multiple tones)

Cross-Region Team Workflows

• Domestic teams (Feishu/Lark/DingTalk): mtg for meeting notes → paste directly into docs; screenshots annotated and dropped into group chats.
• Global teams (Slack/Notion/Linear): English snippet groups with en- prefix; ExpandIn restricted to Slack/Notion so abbreviations don’t fire in IDEs.
• Client-facing roles: proposal + FillIn for project name, timeline, budget → consistent proposal format across regions.