LaunchMap: Visualize your ROS 2 Launch Files in VSCode

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Hi everyone,

I wanted to share an update on LaunchMap, a tool I have been building to help visualize ROS 2 launch files directly inside VSCode. It parses your launch.py files and shows a graph based layout of nodes, groups, conditions, and other ROS2 launch constructs, similar to the Unreal blueprint system.

Launch File Visualization
Launch File Visualization2208×1320 431 KB

:brain: Why use it?

  • Understand large, nested launch files faster
  • See how components connect across includes, groups and composable containers
  • Detect missing or unused LaunchConfigurations
  • Useful for debugging, teaching, and onboarding

:folded_hands: Appreciate your feedback!

I am actively improving this tool, and your feedback would help shape the next steps.

If you have tried it (or might soon), would you mind sharing your experience here or filling this short form?

:backhand_index_pointing_right: Feedback Form (2–3 min)

:link: Links

Thanks!

– Sakshay, Kodo Robotics

2 Likes
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I’d suggest trying to piggyback onto the backend of launch instead of direct py parsing which could automatically get you the parsers for XML and yaml too.

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Thank you for the suggestion! I am using direct Python parsing mainly to capture the full structure of the launch files, not only the launched nodes, but also how they are organized (conditions, nested groups, variables).

Integrating with the launch backend would make XML and YAML support easier. I’ll look into it soon.

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This is super cool. Thanks @Sakshay_Mahna for putting this together.

I’m wondering if you’ve thought about exporting the graph into something like JSON, so people can share and comment on what could go wrong as a team.

Also, how do you handle new/old Python syntax (to my understanding you are parsing code directly)?

Super cool repo. Already starred! Keep up the good work!