KX VSCode Extension

Reducing friction and improving adoption with developer-aligned UX in VSCode

Project Summary

As Principal Product Designer at KX, I led UX strategy and design for the KX VSCode Extension beginning with version 1.5. The extension allows developers and analysts working with kdb+/q to write, run, and debug code inside a modern IDE.


When I joined, there was no structured UX process. I worked closely with product and engineering leadership to build internal/external validation workflows, co-design features, and guide the extension’s evolution through real-world usage and feedback.

My Role

  • Led UX design for all major features.
  • Introduced internal and customer validation through Slack feedback loops, walkthroughs, and co-design sessions.
  • Brought engineering into early design phases to align around developer workflows.
  • Established mechanisms to capture customer input post-release to inform future iterations.
  • Co-authored the developer tooling vision and roadmap with product leadership.

Key Impact

  • Improved onboarding and usability based on internal testing and early customer signals.
  • Reduced friction in error handling and debugging through redesigned workflows.
  • Increased trust and adoption across both internal users and customers.
  • Shifted the team from reactive UI fixes to a shared design process grounded in real use.

Tools & Methods

Figma · Maze · Slack · Confluence · VSCode Marketplace · Competitive analysis · Usability testing · Co-design sessions

Looking for more detail?

This case study highlights just part of the story. I'm happy to walk through additional insights, designs, or validation work upon request. The extension is also publicly available in the VSCode Marketplace, where you can explore its evolution and feature set.