docs: RFC for cross-IDE WebAssembly extension standardization

docs/cross-ide-standardization.md

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+# Cross-IDE WebAssembly Extension Standardization
+
+## Overview
+
+This document explores the potential for standardizing WebAssembly-based IDE extensions across different development environments. As WASM support matures in VS Code through this project, there's an opportunity to contribute to broader ecosystem interoperability.
+
+## Background
+
+The VS Code WASM project provides excellent support for running WebAssembly within VS Code extensions. However, extension authors currently face a challenge: extensions written for VS Code cannot run in other IDEs without significant modifications.
+
+## Emerging Standards
+
+The [WebAssembly IDE Extension Standard](https://github.com/zixiao-labs/WebAssembly-IDEs-Extension-standard) is an open specification that aims to address this challenge through:
+
+- **WIT-based Interface Definitions**: Standardized contracts for IDE capabilities
+- **Capability-based Security**: Fine-grained permission model
+- **WASI Alignment**: Built on WASI 0.2+ and the Component Model
+- **IDE Agnostic Design**: No assumptions about specific implementations
+
+### Interface Categories
+
+The standard defines interfaces across several categories:
+
+| Category | Description | Examples |
+|----------|-------------|----------|
+| Core | Always available | lifecycle, logging, context |
+| Editor | Text manipulation | text, selection, decorations |
+| Workspace | File system access | filesystem, project |
+| UI | User interface | notifications, commands, menus |
+| Language | Language features | completion, diagnostics, hover |
+| Network | Network access | fetch, websocket |
+
+### Permission Model
+
+Extensions declare required permissions in their manifest:
+
+```json
+{
+  "permissions": [
+    "workspace:read",
+    "ui:notifications",
+    "network:fetch:api.example.com"
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+## Comparison with Current Approach
+
+| Aspect | vscode-wasm (current) | IDE Extension Standard |
+|--------|----------------------|------------------------|
+| Scope | VS Code specific | IDE-agnostic |
+| Model | WASM within JS extension | Pure WASM extension |
+| Permissions | Extension-level | Fine-grained capability |
+| Interfaces | VS Code APIs | WIT-defined contracts |
+| Target | Language servers focus | All extension types |
+
+## Potential Integration Paths
+
+### Option 1: Complementary Support
+VS Code could support both native extensions and standard-compliant WASM extensions, allowing users to benefit from the broader ecosystem.
+
+### Option 2: Interface Alignment
+The existing WIT definitions in `wasm-component-model` could be aligned with standard interfaces where appropriate, enabling gradual adoption.
+
+### Option 3: Shared Tooling
+Common tooling like `wit2ts` could be extended to support standard interfaces, benefiting both approaches.
+
+## Discussion Points
+
+1. **Value Proposition**: Would cross-IDE portability benefit VS Code users and extension authors?
+2. **Technical Feasibility**: How would standard-compliant extensions integrate with VS Code's extension host?
+3. **Security Model**: How does the fine-grained permission model compare to VS Code's current approach?
+4. **Migration Path**: Could existing WASM-based language servers be adapted to the standard?
+
+## References
+
+- [WebAssembly IDE Extension Standard](https://github.com/zixiao-labs/WebAssembly-IDEs-Extension-standard)
+- [WASI](https://wasi.dev/)
+- [WebAssembly Component Model](https://component-model.bytecodealliance.org/)
+- [WIT Specification](https://component-model.bytecodealliance.org/design/wit.html)
+
+## Next Steps
+
+This document is intended to start a discussion. Feedback from the VS Code team and community is welcome on:
+
+- Interest in cross-IDE standardization
+- Technical concerns or opportunities
+- Potential collaboration with standard authors