Workbench - the VSCode Extension

Group favorite files into a workbench!

The purpose of this extension is to be a small helper that collects all your favorite files together (into a workbench) and provides an easy navigation between them.

This is a beta version. Please read the roadmap and raise an issue if you see how this extension can be made better!

Usage

Mark a file as favorite from the Command Palette or editor’s Title Menu.

Browse favorite files with a Alt+Q shortcut (type to filter by alias):

To rename an alias of a favorite file:

• Open the config file (command: Workbench: Open Config)
• Edit the alias manually
• Reload the config file (command: Workbench: Reload Config)

Features

• Adding a file to the workbench (command: Workbench: Add File)
  • As a relative path
  • Duplicates are rejected
  • Parent directory name used as prefix (can be disabled through configuration foxWorkbench.prefixAliasWithDirName)
• Listing files from a workbench (i.e. browsing favorites)
  • Command: Workbench: List Files
  • Shortcut: Alt+Q (works in the editor and on explorer)
  • An alias is created with a prefix number
  • The list is sorted by alias
• Open all favorite files
  • Command: Workbench: Open All Files
• Removing an opened file from the workbench (command: Workbench: Remove Current File)
• Removing chosen file from the workbench (command: Workbench: Remove Chosen File)
• Removing all files (i.e. clearing the workbench) (command: Workbench: Clear All Files)
  • With confirmation dialog
• Data are stored as an easily accessible JSON file (config)
  • Location: ./.vscode/workbench.json
• Reloading the config file
  • Command: Workbench: Reload Config
• Opening the config file for edit
  • Command: Workbench: Open Config
  • File is not reloaded automatically, use Workbench: Reload Config command

Development Notes

• TypeScript 2 is used
• Promises are handled with await operator

Roadmap

• External editions of storage file (workbench.json) should trigger a reload of in-memory data
• Editing file aliases
• [Epic] Switch between multiple workbenches

Known Issues

• Editing an alias requires triggering a config reload File aliases can be renamed to anything by editing the workbench.json file and invoking Workbench: Reload Config. There are features on the roadmap to enable automatic reloads and allow alias editing from a command.