Moodle VPL Rapid Shortcuts

Overview

Moodle VPL Rapid Shortcuts is a browser extension designed to improve productivity in Moodle Virtual Programming Lab (VPL) by providing keyboard shortcuts for frequently used actions such as saving, running, and evaluating code.

The extension minimizes mouse usage, reduces context switching, and enables a faster, keyboard-first workflow.

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Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action	Description
Alt + R	Save & Run	Saves the current file and immediately executes the program
Ctrl + Enter	Save & Evaluate	Saves the current file and runs grading/evaluation checks
Cmd + Enter	Save & Evaluate	macOS equivalent of Ctrl + Enter

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Supported Browsers

• Google Chrome
• Brave
• Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)

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Installation Guide

Step 1: Get the Code

Option A: Clone Using Git (Recommended)

https://github.com/Mathi27/Moodle-VPL-Shortcuts

Option B: Manual Download

Click the Code button at the top-right of this repository. Select Download ZIP. Extract the ZIP file to a known location

Step 2: Enable Developer Mode

Open your browser:

- Google Chrome
- Brave

Navigate to the Extensions Management page:

- Chrome: chrome://extensions
- Brave: brave://extensions

Enable Developer mode using the toggle in the top-right corner

Step 3: Load the Extension

Click Load unpacked (usually located at the top-left).

Browse to the extracted project folder (the folder containing manifest.json).

Select the folder and confirm.

The extension Moodle VPL Rapid Shortcuts should now appear in your extensions list and is ready to use.

Usage

Open a Moodle VPL programming activity.

Write or modify your code.

Use the keyboard shortcuts:

Alt + R to save and run

Ctrl + Enter or Cmd + Enter to save and evaluate

No additional configuration is required.

Limitations

Works only with Moodle VPL editor

Manual installation required

Chromium-based browsers only

Enable Developer mode using the toggle in the top-right corner.

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Step 3: Load the Extension

1. Click Load unpacked (usually located at the top-left).
2. Browse to the extracted project folder
   (the folder containing manifest.json).
3. Select the folder and confirm.

The extension Moodle VPL Rapid Shortcuts should now appear in your extensions list and is ready to use.

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Usage

1. Open a Moodle VPL programming activity.
2. Write or modify your code.
3. Use the keyboard shortcuts:
   • Alt + R to save and run
   • Ctrl + Enter or Cmd + Enter to save and evaluate

No additional configuration is required.

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Limitations

• Works only with the Moodle VPL editor
• Manual installation required
• Chromium-based browsers only