 
             params = util.modules(@config, editor)
             params.push("prefix=" + prefix)
-            console.log("getting suggestions for %s", prefix)
+            variables = @getInScopeVariables(editor, prefix)
+            # assume we're looking for a local variable if no namespace prefix is present
+            return variables if /^$[^:]+$/.test(prefix)
+            
+            localFuncs = @getLocalSuggestions(editor, prefix)
             self = this
             return new Promise (resolve) ->
                 $.ajax

            regex = new RegExp("^" + prefix)
            localFuncs = []
            for fn in util.parseLocalFunctions(editor) when regex.test(fn.name)
                text: fn.signature
                type: fn.type
                snippet: fn.snippet
                replacementPrefix: prefix
                localFuncs.push(fn)
            localFuncs

        getInScopeVariables: (editor, prefix) ->
            ast = editor.getBuffer()._ast
            return [] unless ast?
            pos = editor.getCursorBufferPosition()

                    username: self.config.getConfig(editor).user
                    password: self.config.getConfig(editor).password
                    success: (data) ->
                        resolve(variables.concat(localFuncs).concat(data))

        getPrefix: (editor, bufferPosition) ->
