> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xsiam-developer-guide/cortex-xsiam-development-guide/readme/content-development-environments/ide-for-script-development.md).

# IDE for script development

Cortex XSIAM offers a built-in IDE platform for script development in the UI under **Incident Response** → **Automation** → **Scripts**.

It is important to familiarize yourself with the Cortex XSIAM IDE as it may work differently than other IDEs. For example, the Cortex XSIAM IDE has no interpreter and Visual Studio Code does.

{% hint style="info" %}

### Note

For more complex development needs, we recommend instead using the [Visual Studio Code extension](/cortex-xsiam-developer-guide/cortex-xsiam-development-guide/readme/content-development-environments/visual-studio-code-extension.md). It simplifies third-party integration and script development by enabling users to author Python content for Cortex XSIAM directly in Visual Studio Code. This is also the most efficient way to develop Python [Unit Tests](/cortex-xsiam-developer-guide/cortex-xsiam-development-guide/testing/unit-testing.md).
{% endhint %}

**Script Helper**

The script helper contains commonly used functions to facilitate script development.

To access the script helper, in Cortex XSIAM under **Incident Response** → **Automation** → **Scripts** → **Script Helper**.

A list of the common server functions appears.

![xsiam-script-helper-list-of-scripts.png](/files/j4f6LMCTKg8HRuoOoANG)

**Script Settings**

Clicking the **Settings** button opens the **Script Settings** dialog box, which contains configurations for **Basic**, **Arguments**, **Permissions**, **Advanced**, and **Depends on Commands** script settings.

For more information about the script settings, see [Scripts](https://app.gitbook.com/s/gHZkkpS9tCAU2tRJlYSx/playbooks/scripts).

**Keyboard Shortcuts**

The following are some useful keyboard shortcuts supported in the IDE.

<details>

<summary>Select</summary>

| Action       | Windows/Linux | Mac         |
| ------------ | ------------- | ----------- |
| Select all   | Ctrl-A        | Command-A   |
| Select left  | Shift-Left    | Shift-Left  |
| Select right | Shift-Right   | Shift-Right |

</details>

<details>

<summary>Go to</summary>

| Action      | Windows/Linux | Mac                       |
| ----------- | ------------- | ------------------------- |
| Go to start | Ctrl-Home     | Command-Home, Command-Up  |
| Go to end   | Ctrl-End      | Command-End, Command-Down |

</details>

<details>

<summary>Find/replace</summary>

| Action        | Windows/Linux | Mac              |
| ------------- | ------------- | ---------------- |
| Find          | Ctrl-F        | Command-F        |
| Replace       | Ctrl-H        | Command-Option-F |
| Find next     | Ctrl-K        | Command-G        |
| Find previous | Ctrl-Shift-K  | Command-Shift-G  |

</details>

<details>

<summary>Fold</summary>

| Action         | Windows/Linux              | Mac                                      |
| -------------- | -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| Fold selection | Alt-L, Ctrl-F1             | Command-Option-L, Command-F1             |
| Unfold         | Alt-Shift-L, Ctrl-Shift-F1 | Command-Option-Shift-L, Command-Shift-F1 |
| Fold all       | Alt-0                      | Command-Option-0                         |
| Unfold all     | Alt-Shift-0                | Command-Option-Shift-0                   |

</details>

<details>

<summary>Other</summary>

| Action         | Windows/Linux        | Mac                        |
| -------------- | -------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Indent         | Tab                  | Tab                        |
| Outdent        | Shift-Tab            | Shift-Tab                  |
| Undo           | Ctrl-Z               | Command-Z                  |
| Redo           | Ctrl-Shift-Z, Ctrl-Y | Command-Shift-Z, Command-Y |
| Toggle comment | Ctrl-/               | Command-/                  |

</details>


---

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