Check the Calva extension settings

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 38 views

Introduction

As a beginner in the world of Clojure, navigating the vast array of functions and their documentation can be a daunting task. The Calva extension in VSCode provides a convenient way to access function documentation by displaying a hint box when you hover over a function. However, some users have reported that this feature does not work as expected, and the documentation is not displayed. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of this issue and provide a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

Understanding the Issue

The issue at hand is that the function documentation for Clojure functions is not appearing in the hint box when you hover over them. This is in contrast to other languages, such as PHP, where the documentation is displayed correctly. The hint box for Clojure functions looks like the one shown in the image below:

An example of the current hint box for Clojure

Possible Causes

Before we dive into the troubleshooting steps, let's consider some possible causes of this issue:

Misconfiguration: It's possible that the Calva extension is not configured correctly, or that there's a misconfiguration in the VSCode settings.
Bug: The issue might be a bug in the Calva extension or in the VSCode itself.
Missing dependencies: The Calva extension might be missing some dependencies required to display the function documentation.

Troubleshooting Steps

To troubleshoot and resolve the issue, follow these steps:

Step 1: Check the Calva Extension Settings

Open the VSCode settings by pressing Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac) and search for "Calva: Settings". Make sure that the "Documentation" setting is enabled.

{
    "calva.documentation": true
}

Step 2: Check the VSCode Settings

Open the VSCode settings by pressing Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac) and search for "Clojure: Settings". Make sure that the "Documentation" setting is enabled.

{
    "clojure.documentation": true
}

Step 3: Check the Leiningen Configuration

If you're using Leiningen as your Clojure project manager, make sure that the :doc setting is enabled in your project.clj file.

(defproject my-project "1.0.0"
  :dependencies [...]
  :doc true)

Step 4: Check the Clojure Version

Make sure that you're using a version of Clojure that supports documentation. You can check the version of Clojure by running the following command in your REPL:

(clojure-version)

Step 5: Check the Calva Extension Version

Make sure that you're using the latest version of the Calva extension. You can check the version of the Calva extension by running the following command in your terminal:

calva --version

Step 6: Try a Different REPL Server

Try using a different REPL server, such as CIDER or nREPL, to see if the issue persists.

Step 7: Check the VSCode Logs

Check the VSCode logs to see if there are any error messages related to the Calva extension or the Clojure documentation.

Step 8: Try Disabling and Re-Enabling the Calva Extension

Try disabling and re-enabling the Calva extension to see if the issue resolves itself.

Step 9: Check the Clojure Documentation

Check the Clojure documentation to see if there are any known issues or limitations related to the documentation feature.

Step 10: Reach Out to the Community

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, reach out to the Calva community or the Clojure community for further assistance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of not being able to see the function documentation in the hint box when you hover over Clojure functions in VSCode is a complex one. It's possible that the issue is caused by a misconfiguration, a bug, or a missing dependency. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue. If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to reach out to the community for further assistance.

Additional Resources

Calva Documentation
Clojure Documentation
VSCode Documentation
Leiningen Documentation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Clojure Function Documentation in VSCode ====================================================================================

Q: What is the Calva extension, and how does it relate to Clojure function documentation?

A: The Calva extension is a VSCode extension that provides a set of tools for working with Clojure, including code completion, debugging, and documentation. The Calva extension uses the Leiningen project manager to manage Clojure projects and provides a convenient way to access function documentation by displaying a hint box when you hover over a function.

Q: Why is my Clojure function documentation not appearing in the hint box?

A: There are several possible reasons why your Clojure function documentation is not appearing in the hint box. Some possible causes include:

Misconfiguration: The Calva extension or the VSCode settings might be misconfigured, preventing the documentation from appearing.
Bug: The issue might be a bug in the Calva extension or in the VSCode itself.
Missing dependencies: The Calva extension might be missing some dependencies required to display the function documentation.

Q: How do I troubleshoot the issue with my Clojure function documentation?

A: To troubleshoot the issue with your Clojure function documentation, follow these steps:

Check the Calva extension settings: Make sure that the "Documentation" setting is enabled in the Calva extension settings.
Check the VSCode settings: Make sure that the "Documentation" setting is enabled in the VSCode settings.
Check the Leiningen configuration: Make sure that the :doc setting is enabled in your project.clj file.
Check the Clojure version: Make sure that you're using a version of Clojure that supports documentation.
Check the Calva extension version: Make sure that you're using the latest version of the Calva extension.
Try a different REPL server: Try using a different REPL server, such as CIDER or nREPL, to see if the issue persists.
Check the VSCode logs: Check the VSCode logs to see if there are any error messages related to the Calva extension or the Clojure documentation.
Try disabling and re-enabling the Calva extension: Try disabling and re-enabling the Calva extension to see if the issue resolves itself.

Q: What are some common issues that can cause the Clojure function documentation to not appear?

A: Some common issues that can cause the Clojure function documentation to not appear include:

Missing dependencies: The Calva extension might be missing some dependencies required to display the function documentation.
Misconfigured Leiningen project: The Leiningen project might be misconfigured, preventing the documentation from appearing.
Outdated Calva extension: The Calva extension might be outdated, preventing the documentation from appearing.

Q: How can I get help if I'm still having trouble with my Clojure function documentation?

A: If you're still having trouble with your Clojure function documentation, you can try the following:

Reach out to the Calva community: The Calva community is active and helpful, and they may be able to provide assistance with your issue.
Reach out to the Clojure community: The Clojure community is also active and helpful, and they may be able to provide assistance with your issue.
Check the VSCode documentation: The VSCode documentation may have information about troubleshooting issues with the Calva extension.
Check the Leiningen documentation: The Leiningen documentation may have information about troubleshooting issues with the Leiningen project.

Q: What are some best practices for working with Clojure function documentation in VSCode?

A: Some best practices for working with Clojure function documentation in VSCode include:

Make sure that the Calva extension is up to date: The Calva extension should be updated regularly to ensure that it has the latest features and bug fixes.
Make sure that the Leiningen project is configured correctly: The Leiningen project should be configured correctly to ensure that the documentation appears correctly.
Use the correct version of Clojure: The correct version of Clojure should be used to ensure that the documentation appears correctly.
Check the VSCode logs: The VSCode logs should be checked regularly to ensure that there are no error messages related to the Calva extension or the Clojure documentation.