Build Announcements

Visual Assist 2026.3 release post

Visual Assist 2026.3: Expanding AI Workflows & Improving Performance AI in IDEs is evolving quickly, but for many the hype might feel artificial. For most C++ developers, the question isn’t “can AI write code?” — it’s: “how can I fit this into the way I already work?” With Visual Assist 2026.3, we’re continuing to explore that question by introducing…
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CommunityNews

Meet Whole Tomato’s new AI Assistant: Instant Answers for Visual Assist Users

Visual Assist knows your time is valuable and it’s better spent on coding or thinking. When you encounter a question about Visual Studio C++ or Visual Assist, it’s important to quickly get that answer so you can stay locked in. Whether it’s on how a feature works, how to configure it for your setup, or what your VA license covers — the last thing you want is to dig through pages of…
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Tips and Tricks

“Nobody Will Read This Code” (Until You Have to)

When we code, we like shortcuts. We use keystrokes that combine two or more actions. We like it when we can do two things at once. It feels productive (and maybe because most of the time it is.) However, there are cases where we need to avoid shortcuts. In the realm of engineering and design, simple is better. But sometimes, adding a bit of complexity and length to our usual process can pay off in…
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Build Announcements

Visual Assist 2026.1 release blog

Visual Assist Build 2026.1: smarter code insights, faster AI, polished experience. Hover over macros to see their full Clang expansions. Watch AI responses stream in real-time. Enjoy modernized dialogs and rock-solid reliability with Visual Studio 2026. We’re kicking…
NewsTips and Tricks

Writing Safer C++: Introducing Visual Assist’s New Code Safety Inspections

C++ Safety is one of the most important conversations happening in software right now. From industry leaders to government agencies, including recent guidance coming from the U.S. government, there is a renewed call to strengthen memory safety and reduce classes of bugs that have historically plagued C and C++ projects. But here is the reality: C++ remains one of the most critical languages in the…
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