vscode-extension-builder

# VS Code Extension Builder

Build professional VS Code extensions with proper architecture, best practices, and complete tooling support.

## Quick Start

For immediate extension creation:

1. **Initialize**: Run `npx --package yo --package generator-code -- yo code`
2. **Choose type**: New Extension (TypeScript)
3. **Fill details**: Name, identifier, description
4. **Develop**: Open in VS Code, press F5 to debug
5. **Test**: Run commands in Extension Development Host
6. **Package**: Run `vsce package` when ready

For detailed guidance, follow the workflow below.

## Extension Types

Choose the type that matches your needs:

- **Command Extension**: Add commands to Command Palette (simplest, most common)
- **Language Support**: Syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, formatting
- **Webview Extension**: Custom UI panels with HTML/CSS/JS
- **Tree View**: Custom sidebar views with hierarchical data
- **Debugger**: Add debugging support for languages
- **Theme**: Color themes, file icon themes
- **Snippet Provider**: Code snippets for languages

## Core Workflow

### 1. Gather Requirements

Ask user about:
- **Purpose**: What should the extension do?
- **Type**: Which extension type? (command, language, webview, etc.)
- **Features**: Specific functionality needed
- **UI**: Commands, views, panels, status bar items?
- **Activation**: When should it activate?

### 2. Choose Extension Type & Architecture

Based on requirements, select appropriate pattern:

**Simple Command Extension** (most common):
- Single responsibility
- Command Palette integration
- Quick to build

**Language Extension**:
- Syntax highlighting (TextMate grammar)
- Language server for IntelliSense
- Complex but powerful

**Webview Extension**:
- Custom UI needed
- Rich interactions
- More complex state management

See [extension-anatomy.md](references/extension-anatomy.md) for detailed structure.

### 3. Initialize Project

**Option A: Use Yeoman Generator (Recommended)**
```bash
npx --package yo --package