How to Develop a Multi-Language To-Do Manager VS Code Extension

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to develop a Visual Studio Code (VS Code) extension that can manage to-do lists across different programming languages. This extension will allow users to add, view, and navigate through to-do comments in their code, making task management easier for developers working with multiple languages. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a working extension that you can use and share with others.

Prerequisites

Before you start, ensure you have the following:

Node.js and npm installed on your machine.
Visual Studio Code installed.
Basic knowledge of JavaScript and VS Code extensions.

Step 1: Set Up Your Extension Environment

1.Install VS Code Extension Generator:

Open your terminal and install the Yeoman generator for VS Code extensions:

npm install -g yo generator-code

2.Generate Your Extension:

Run the following command to start creating your extension:

yo code

Follow the prompts to configure your extension:

Select “New Extension (TypeScript)” when asked for the type of extension.
Provide a name for your extension, e.g., ‘multi-language-todo-manager’.
Fill in other details like description, and confirm.

This command creates a new directory with all the necessary files to start developing your extension.

Step 2: Understanding the Generated Files

After generating the extension, you’ll find several files and folders in your project:

‘src/extension.ts’: This is the main file where you’ll write the logic for your extension.
‘package.json’: The configuration file for your extension, including commands, activation events, and dependencies.
‘src/test’: Contains test files for your extension.

Step 3: Define To-Do Commands in package.json

In ‘package.json’, you’ll define commands that will allow users to interact with the to-do manager. Add the following commands under the ‘contributes’ section:

"contributes": {
    "commands": [
        {
            "command": "extension.addTodo",
            "title": "Add To-Do"
        },
        {
            "command": "extension.showTodos",
            "title": "Show To-Dos"
        }
    ]
},
"activationEvents": [
    "onCommand:extension.addTodo",
    "onCommand:extension.showTodos"
]

These commands will activate your extension when a user invokes them.

Check it Out!