Get started · Sapling SAP

Sapling SAP is a preview of an extension for VS Code and Positron. This page takes you from nothing to a first plan.

What you need#

You need	For	Required?
VS Code 1.85 or newer, or Positron	the editor	yes
Sapling SAP, from the Marketplace or as the file `sapling-sap-0.14.0.vsix`	Sapling itself	yes
Node.js	nothing: the compiler runs inside the editor	no
An AI (Claude Code, Codex, Gemini, an OpenAI-compatible address, or a command)	proposals and chat	no: Sapling works without AI
Quarto (free)	the PDF of the plan	only for the PDF
R	running the analyses, the Method Lab, design simulation	only to run analyses
SAS, through DataStep Studio	running the SAS programs	only to run SAS programs

Without Quarto the editor says so when you ask for a PDF, and shows an HTML preview instead. You can check the machine at any time with the command Sapling: Check What Sapling Needs.

1. Install the extension#

Sapling SAP is not on the Marketplace yet: install the .vsix file (sapling-sap-0.14.0.vsix). In VS Code: open the Extensions view, open its ... menu, choose Install from VSIX... and pick the file. From a terminal:

code --install-extension sapling-sap-0.14.0.vsix

In Positron the same works with its own code command, or from the Extensions menu.

This page will lead with the Marketplace when the listing exists.

2. Open the sample study#

Run Sapling: Open the Sample Study from the Command Palette and choose a folder. A folder sapling-sample-study appears and opens. It holds SYNHTN01, a made-up hypertension trial: a protocol written for testing Sapling, and dummy data with 30 subjects per arm. Nothing in it is real or belongs to anyone.

3. Follow the first ten minutes#

The walkthrough is in the editor under Help, Get Started, Sapling: the first ten minutes, and on paper on the first ten minutes. You make a first plan from the protocol, answer three open decisions, accept a proposal, add an efficacy table from a template, look at its shell, build the PDF and export Word.

Where next#

Writing a planThe page, the forms, citations of the protocol and the checks. Without AIWhat works with no AI at all. Data and AIWhat stays on your computer and what an AI would be sent. The three toolsSapling SAP, DataStep Studio and DataStep Studio for R: who each is for. The 10-minute tutorialThe longer walk through the visual editor.

Good to know#

It is a preview. It changes often; the changelog says what changed.
Studies are made-up or public. The sample study is made up. The larger example in the repository is the public CDISC pilot study.
Feedback. The command Sapling: Give Feedback asks four questions and makes a text that you copy or save. It sends nothing; you choose whether it contains your plan.