Local Packaging and Installation

1. Install VSCE (Visual Studio Code Extensions) globally:

npm install -g @vscode/vsce

2. Make sure your package.json includes a "publisher" field (for local testing you can use any name):

{
  "name": "file-combiner",
  "publisher": "your-name",
  ...
}

3. Package the extension:

vsce package

This creates a .vsix file in your project directory.

4. Install the extension locally:

• Method 1: Through VS Code UI

  1. Open VS Code
  2. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P)
  3. Type "Install from VSIX"
  4. Navigate to and select your .vsix file

• Method 2: Through command line

code --install-extension file-combiner-0.0.1.vsix

Publishing to VS Code Marketplace

1. Create a Microsoft Azure DevOps account (free) at https://dev.azure.com/

2. Create a Personal Access Token (PAT):

   • Go to https://dev.azure.com/{your-organization}/_usersSettings/tokens
   • Click "New Token"
   • Name: "VSCode Extension Publishing"
   • Organization: All accessible organizations
   • Expiration: Set as needed
   • Scopes: Custom defined -> Marketplace -> Manage
   • Copy the token and save it securely

3. Login to VSCE with your PAT:

vsce login your-publisher-name

4. Update your package.json with required fields:

{
  "name": "file-combiner",
  "displayName": "File Combiner",
  "description": "Combines selected files into a single in-memory file with path tracking",
  "version": "0.0.1",
  "publisher": "your-publisher-name",
  "repository": {
    "type": "git",
    "url": "https://github.com/username/file-combiner.git"
  },
  "categories": ["Other"],
  "galleryBanner": {
    "color": "#C80000",
    "theme": "dark"
  },
  "keywords": [
    "file",
    "combine",
    "merge",
    "concatenate"
  ],
  "engines": {
    "vscode": "^1.85.0"
  }
}

5. Add a README.md file with:

   • Description of the extension
   • Features list
   • Installation instructions
   • Usage instructions
   • Configuration options
   • Requirements
   • Known issues
   • Change log

6. Add a LICENSE file (e.g., MIT License)

7. Add a CHANGELOG.md file:

# Change Log

## [0.0.1] - 2024-02-18
- Initial release
- Basic file combining functionality
- Tree view UI
- File watching and updating

8. Publish to VS Code Marketplace:

vsce publish

Optional: Publishing to Open VSX Registry

If you want your extension to be available for other VS Code-like editors (VSCodium, etc.):

1. Create an Open VSX token:

   • Go to https://open-vsx.org/
   • Login/Create account
   • Go to https://open-vsx.org/user-settings/tokens
   • Create a new token

2. Publish to Open VSX:

npx ovsx publish -p <token>

Best Practices Before Publishing

1. Test the extension thoroughly:

   • Test all commands
   • Test with different file types
   • Test with large folders
   • Test error scenarios
   • Test in both Windows and Linux/Mac if possible

2. Update your README.md with:

# File Combiner

Combines multiple files into a single file with path tracking and live updates.

## Features

- Select and combine multiple files
- Watch for file changes
- Preview combined content
- Copy to clipboard
- Tree view UI
- Configurable file extensions
- Configurable file separator
- Gitignore support

## Requirements

- VS Code 1.85.0 or higher

## Extension Settings

This extension contributes the following settings:

* `fileCombiner.fileExtensions`: Array of file extensions to include
* `fileCombiner.separator`: Separator string between files

## Known Issues

[List any known issues or limitations]

## Release Notes

### 0.0.1

Initial release of File Combiner

3. Add a .vscodeignore file to exclude unnecessary files from the package:

.vscode/**
.vscode-test/**
node_modules/**
src/**
.gitignore
.yarnrc
webpack.config.js
**/tsconfig.json
**/.eslintrc.json
**/*.map
**/*.ts

code --uninstall-extension fairytech.better-ai-prompts code --install-extension better-ai-prompts-0.0.3.vsix code --list-extensions | grep "fairytech"