DevFetch VS Code Extension

DevFetch is a Visual Studio Code extension that allows you to fetch and export Azure DevOps work items (such as User Stories, Bugs, Features, Epics, and Test Cases) directly from your Azure DevOps organization. The extension provides a user-friendly interface to select your Project, Team, Area Path, Iteration Path, and Work Item Type, and outputs detailed work item information as clean, readable text files.

Features

• Connect to your Azure DevOps organization using a Personal Access Token (PAT)
• Interactive prompts to select Project, Team, Area Path, Iteration Path, and Work Item Type
• Remembers your selections for future use via VS Code User Settings
• Access and edit your saved settings through VS Code's Settings UI with dynamic dropdowns
• Automatic updating of dependent settings when parent settings change (e.g., team or project changes)
• Fetches all work items of the selected type and exports them as individual .txt files
• Outputs the following fields for each work item (if available):
  • Work Item ID
  • Title
  • State
  • Tags
  • Customer - Description (plain text, HTML removed)
  • Repro Steps (plain text)
  • Resolved Details (plain text)
  • Comments (author and text, plain) - option to include or exclude
  • Linked Test Cases (for non-Test Case work items) - option to include or exclude
  • Attachments (downloads all attached files)
  • Work Item URL
• Handles HTML in fields and outputs only plain text
• Robust error handling and user prompts for missing or empty data

![DevFetch in action]

Requirements

• Visual Studio Code (latest recommended)
• An Azure DevOps account and a valid Personal Access Token (PAT) with work item read permissions
• Internet connection to access Azure DevOps APIs

Settings

DevFetch stores your Azure DevOps settings in VS Code User Settings for easier access and editing. You can view and edit these settings in the VS Code Settings UI:

1. Open VS Code Settings (File > Preferences > Settings or press Ctrl+,)
2. Search for "devfetch" to see all available settings
3. Edit any of the following settings:
   • devfetch.orgUrl: Your Azure DevOps organization URL
   • devfetch.project: Your selected Azure DevOps project
   • devfetch.team: Your selected Azure DevOps team (use the "DevFetch: Select Team from Available Options" command instead of manually editing)
   • devfetch.areaPath: Your selected Area Path (dropdown will show available paths)
   • devfetch.iterationPath: Your selected Iteration Path (dropdown will show available paths)
   • devfetch.workItemType: Your selected Work Item Type (will always be prompted for when running)
   • devfetch.includeComments: Whether to include work item comments (will always be prompted for when running)
   • devfetch.includeComments: Whether to include work item comments in the output (you'll be prompted each time)

Dynamic Settings:

• When you change the project, the extension will automatically populate available teams
• When you select a team, the extension will automatically refresh area paths and iteration paths
• Use the following commands to select from available options:
  • DevFetch: Select Project from Available Options
  • DevFetch: Select Team from Available Options
  • DevFetch: Select Area Path from Available Options
  • DevFetch: Select Iteration Path from Available Options
• Available options for Area Path and Iteration Path are stored but must be selected using commands (see below)
• IDs are automatically updated when you manually change project or team names
• Work item type is always prompted for and not stored

Selection Commands:

You can use the following commands to select settings from available options:

• DevFetch: Select Team from Available Options - Shows a dropdown of available teams for the selected project
• DevFetch: Select Area Path from Available Options - Shows a dropdown of available area paths
• DevFetch: Select Iteration Path from Available Options - Shows a dropdown of available iteration paths

The extension automatically migrates any existing settings from previous versions.

Extension Settings

This extension does not add any custom VS Code settings. All configuration is handled via interactive prompts and secure storage.

Usage

1. Open a workspace folder in VS Code.
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+P and run the command: DevFetch: Fetch Work Items.
3. Follow the prompts to enter your Azure DevOps PAT and select your organization, project, team, area path, iteration path, and work item type.
4. Choose whether to include comments in the work item output.
5. Choose whether to include related test cases (for non-test case work items).
6. The extension will fetch the work items and save them as .txt files in a folder named after the work item type in your workspace.
7. The folder will open automatically in your file explorer.

Document Extraction Features

Word Document Content Extraction

The extension allows you to extract text content from Word documents (DOCX), which can be useful for documentation, reference, or content migration purposes.

Word Extraction Features:

• Extract text content and tables from single Word documents or an entire directory of documents
• Preview document content before extraction, including table visualization
• Choose between plain text, Markdown, or HTML output formats
• Tables are properly formatted in all output formats
• Save extracted content to a file for further use
• Process multiple documents at once with organized output

Word Extraction Usage:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+P and run the command: DevFetch: Extract Content from Word Document
2. Choose whether you want to process a single file or a directory of Word documents
3. Select the Word document or directory
4. Choose your preferred output format (Plain Text, Markdown, or HTML)
5. Click "Extract Content" to view the extracted content, including properly formatted tables
6. Click "Save to File" to save the extracted content to disk

Excel Code Format Extraction

• DevFetch: Extract Code Format from Excel - Extract code formats from Excel files

Reset Commands

• DevFetch: Reset Stored Settings of DevFetch - Clear all stored DevFetch settings at once
• DevFetch: Clear Stored Organization URL - Clear only the stored organization URL
• DevFetch: Clear Stored Project - Clear the stored project and project ID
• DevFetch: Clear Stored Team - Clear the stored team and team ID
• DevFetch: Clear Stored Area Path - Clear the stored area path
• DevFetch: Clear Stored Iteration Path - Clear the stored iteration path

These commands can be accessed by pressing Ctrl+Shift+P and typing the command name.

Resetting Settings

If you need to clear all stored Azure DevOps settings (including authentication method), use the command:

• DevFetch: Reset All Settings

This will:

• Remove your stored Personal Access Token (PAT) from VS Code secrets
• Clear all DevFetch-related settings (organization URL, project, team, area path, iteration path, work item type)
• Also clear the selected authentication method (authMethod). You will be prompted to select OAuth or PAT again after reset.

Known Issues

• Only supports Azure DevOps work items. Other Azure DevOps entities are not supported.
• Requires a valid PAT with sufficient permissions.
• Large queries may take some time to complete.

Release Notes

1.0.0

• Initial release of DevFetch: fetch and export Azure DevOps work items as plain text files.

1.1.0

• Added support for additional fields and improved plain text output.
• Enhanced error handling and user experience.

Author

Devendra Reddy

• Github: Musalappagaridevendrareddy
• LinkedIn: DevendraReddy

Enjoy using DevFetch!