How many free API calls do I get?

250 free monthly invocations, whether you use the VS Code extension or call the API directly.

How do I install Stenography?

Grab the VS Code extension from the Visual Studio Marketplace and it starts documenting on save. A dashboard handles API access.

What model powers Stenography?

It was built on OpenAI's Codex. Note that Codex is now deprecated, so long-term reliability depends on the underlying model being swapped out.

Can I customize what the API returns?

You can shape prompts and pass code directly, but deeper formatting controls like docstring style or output templates are limited.

Directory/Coding/Code Documentation/Stenography

Stenography

Stenography automatically documents codebases through a VS Code extension and API. It converts code snippets into plain-English explanations, can run on save across entire repositories, and enriches responses with Stack Overflow suggestions and linked documentation. Built for developers and teams who want faster code comprehension without manual docs. The passthrough API does not store code, and the free tier includes 250 monthly invocations. Paid plans add higher usage and customization.

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Added on

Nov 4, 2026

VS Code extensionCode explanation APIAutopilot docsStack Overflow linksNo code storage250 free calls/moChrome extension

Product information

Everything worth knowing about Stenography

The complete picture — from everyday features to the technical detail builders and IT folks dig for.

Core features

What it actually does

Autopilot Documentation

Automatically documents entire codebases every time you hit save in VS Code.

Code Explanation API

Send code snippets to the API and receive plain-English explanations you can customize.

Stack Overflow & Linked Docs

Hydrates responses with Stack Overflow suggestions and documentation pulled from across the web—no googling required.

Privacy First

Passthrough API that does not store your code. Your code stays on your system.

250 Free Monthly Invocations

Call the API 250 times per month for free, via VS Code or your own extension.

Technical capabilities

Multi-Editor Extensions

Extensions wherever code can be found—VS Code, Chrome, and more.

Passthrough API Architecture

Code is forwarded to the model for explanation without being persisted server-side.

Must watch videos

How AI is impacting jobs for stenographers

7:11

Tutorial7:11

How AI is impacting jobs for stenographers

Link to register for the free Zoom Q&A workshop on September 1, 2025, 8-9 AM PT: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WDJR_6CSTTGmgcSbBNiNhw In this video I discuss how AI is impacting jobs for stenographers and what jobs remain in a shrinking market.

How Stenographers Type at 300 Words Per Minute

5:36

Tutorial5:36

How Stenographers Type at 300 Words Per Minute

Try Audible Plus for free for thirty days at http://audible.com/hai Get a Half as Interesting t-shirt: https://standard.tv/collections/half-as-interesting Suggest a video and get a free t-shirt if we use it: http://halfasinteresting.com/suggest Follow Sam from Half as Interesting on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/Sam.From.Wendover Follow Half as Interesting on Twitter: http://twitter.com/halfinteresting Discuss this video on Reddit: http://www.Reddit.com/r/halfasinteresting Video written by Ben Doyle Check out my other channel: http://youtube.com/wendoverproductions

6 reasons I am becoming a stenographer in 2025

6:55

Tutorial6:55

6 reasons I am becoming a stenographer in 2025

yes even considering AI and all that idk, deciding to take this path was something I debated for 3+ months, but I felt very confident and also relieved to have found direction after coming this way. Here's me explaining some of the biggest distilled reasons I ended up making this choice. #stenography

Who uses it

Real use cases, no hype

Auto-Documentation

Generate docstrings and comments across an entire codebase every time you save.

Code Explanation

Turn dense or unfamiliar code into plain-English explanations via the API.

Onboarding New Devs

Let new team members understand legacy codebases faster with generated docs.

Learning by Doing

Students and juniors get instant explanations of what code actually does.

Stack Overflow Lookup

Surface relevant Stack Overflow threads and docs without leaving the editor.

Custom Tooling

Plug the passthrough API into your own extensions, CI, or editor workflows.

What's great

Auto-documents code on every save in VS Code
Plain-English explanations with zero setup
Stack Overflow and doc links baked into responses
250 free monthly API calls

Technical strengths

Privacy-first passthrough API — no code storage
Open API you can wire into your own tooling

Where it falls short

Documentation reads generic and over-explained
Best experience locked to VS Code ecosystem
Quality varies wildly across languages and files
Usage past free tier can get expensive fast

Technical limitations

Built on OpenAI Codex, which is now deprecated
No deep control over output format or docstring style

For technical folks

The deep-dive specs

Deployment

VS Code extension and HTTP API

Data Retention

Passthrough API, code not stored

Free Tier Limit

250 API invocations per month

FAQ

Includes technical Q&A

No. It uses a passthrough API — code is sent to generate an explanation but is not persisted on Stenography's servers.

Traffic Insights

Monthly Visits

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November 2026

Growth Rate

vs last month

Dominance

in Coding

Top Country

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Top Countries Breakdown

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Growth Trend

Stable

Traffic has remained stable.

Pricing overview

Freemium Pricing

Stenography Pricing

Stenography uses a freemium pricing structure. Real-time rates, custom enterprise quotas, and plan details are managed directly on their official platform.

Check Pricing on Stenography

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