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Coder Mode Overview

Status: Current Last updated: 2026-03-30 13:40 EDT

Coder Mode is a structured annotation workflow for coding CHAT transcripts with a predefined coding scheme. It is the VS Code equivalent of CLAN’s coder mode (implemented in ced_codes.cpp), adapted to work with VS Code’s QuickPick interface and the LSP-backed document model.

What Is Coding?

In language research, “coding” means annotating each utterance in a transcript with one or more labels from a controlled vocabulary. These labels (codes) capture information that is not directly present in the transcript text – for example, the pragmatic function of an utterance (request, demand, acknowledgment), the type of error a speaker made, or the conversational strategy being employed.

Codes are stored on dependent tiers, one per utterance:

*CHI:	I want that one .
%cod:	$PRA:request
*MOT:	which one ?
%cod:	$PRA:question

The coding scheme is defined in a .cut file – a tab-indented hierarchy of valid codes. Different research projects use different coding schemes depending on what they are studying.

Why Use Coder Mode?

Without Coder Mode, coding a transcript is tedious and error-prone: the coder must remember the valid codes, type them correctly on dependent tiers, and manually navigate to the next uncoded utterance. Coder Mode automates all of this:

  • Code selection from a picker – no memorization or typos. The hierarchical QuickPick shows all valid codes from the .cut file.
  • Automatic navigation – after inserting a code, the cursor advances to the next uncoded utterance. No manual searching.
  • Progress tracking – the picker shows how many utterances remain uncoded.
  • Consistent results – every code comes from the controlled vocabulary, ensuring inter-rater reliability.

CLAN Equivalent

In CLAN, coder mode is activated from the Commands Window and uses ced_codes.cpp to drive a custom modal editor. The coder navigates with keyboard shortcuts (ESC-e to toggle modes, ESC-c to move between code levels, CTRL-T to advance speakers) and selects codes from a hierarchical menu.

The VS Code implementation replaces this with standard VS Code UI patterns:

CLANVS Code
ESC-e toggle editing modeCommand Palette: Start/Stop Coder Mode
ESC-c code level navigationHierarchical QuickPick with indentation
CTRL-T next speakerCmd+Enter next uncoded utterance
Custom modal menuVS Code QuickPick with fuzzy search

Available Standard Code Files

TalkBank distributes several standard .cut code files in the clan-info/lib/coder/ directory:

FileTarget TierPurpose
codes-basic.cut%spaBasic speech act coding (positive/negative, questions/responses) for mother-child interaction
codes1.cut%spaExtended speech act coding with question types (NV/VE), answers, comments, acknowledgments
codeserr.cut%errError coding for lexical errors (incomplete, uncertain, accented, added, lost, etc.)
codeshar.cut%spaConversational strategy coding (NIA categories: acknowledgment, adaptation, clarification, etc.)

These files serve as examples and starting points. Most research projects create custom .cut files tailored to their specific coding scheme. See Codes Files for the file format and how to create your own.