Smart Command Manager: Save and Run Terminal Commands in Your Code Editor

Smart Command Manager is a code editor extension that stores the terminal commands you use often, organizes them in a sidebar, and runs them with one click or from a keyboard-driven Quick Command Picker. Saved commands can include placeholders such as <branch>, so one saved command can be reused with different values each time.

Use it to keep your Git, build, test, package-manager, and deployment commands within reach instead of retyping them or searching through shell history.

Who it's for

Developers who run the same long or easy-to-forget commands in the terminal, such as Git workflows, project build and test commands, npm or yarn scripts, flutter pub add, or deployment commands, and want them saved, organized, and shareable inside their editor.

Compatibility

Works in editors that support VS Code extensions, such as Visual Studio Code, Cursor, and Windsurf.

Features

• Sidebar view: A Smart Command Manager view in the Activity Bar lists your saved commands. Run any command with a single click.
• Quick Command Picker: Press Ctrl+Shift+Space (Cmd+Shift+Space on macOS) to search and run any saved command from the keyboard. Starred and frequently or recently used commands appear first.
• Favorites: Star the commands you use most. Favorites show a ⭐ prefix, appear at the top of the Quick Command Picker, and are remembered across editor sessions.
• Technology Command Packs: Browse 229 technology stacks and choose from more than 2,700 predefined commands to add to your own command list.
• Dynamic commands: Add placeholders such as <package> or {{message}} to a saved command and enter the values each time you run it. See Dynamic commands.
• Command groups: Organize related commands into groups, for example one group per project.
• Command Panel: A full management panel for your commands. For dynamic commands it shows an input form with a live command preview.
• Search: Find saved commands by searching.
• Import and export: Export your saved commands as JSON and import them to share a collection with teammates.
• Open Folder in Code Editor: Right-click a folder in the Explorer to open it in a new editor window. See Open Folder in Code Editor.

Installation

1. Open the Extensions view in your editor (Ctrl+Shift+X, or Cmd+Shift+X on macOS).
2. Search for Smart Command Manager.
3. Select Install.

You can also find the extension on its Marketplace page.

Quick start

1. Open the Smart Command Manager view in the Activity Bar.
2. Click the + button to add your first command, for example npm test.
3. Run the command with a single click from the view.
4. Right-click a command you run often and select Toggle Favorite (⭐).
5. Press Ctrl+Shift+Space (Cmd+Shift+Space on macOS) to search and run any saved command from the keyboard.

Browse Technology Command Packs

Need commands for a project stack? Run Smart Commands: Browse Technology Command Packs from the Command Palette, choose a technology, then select the predefined commands you want to add. The catalog includes 229 technology packs and more than 2,700 commands for common development workflows.

Selected commands are added to your saved command list, ready to run, edit, or favorite. Browsing packs does not run commands, and commands you already have are left out of the selection list.

Dynamic commands

Use placeholders in a saved command when you want to enter a value each time you run it. The extension recognizes <name>, {name}, and {{name}} syntax.

For example, save:

flutter pub add <package>
git checkout <branch>
git commit -m "<message>"

When you run a dynamic command, enter the requested value or values.

• Command Panel: A form shows all the inputs and a live command preview. Choose Run Command to execute it, or Paste to Terminal to review or edit it in the terminal before running.
• Tree view and Quick Command Picker: Values are requested one at a time. Cancel the prompt to stop without running the command.

Placeholders named file, filename, filepath, path, folder, or directory also offer suggestions from files in the current workspace when you run from the tree view or Quick Command Picker. You can select a suggestion or enter a custom value.

The saved command template is not changed. The values you enter are used only for that run.

Keyboard shortcuts

These are editor keybindings. To change one or check for conflicts, open your editor's Keyboard Shortcuts editor (Ctrl+K Ctrl+S, or Cmd+K Cmd+S on macOS) and search for the key combination.

Open Folder in Code Editor

Right-click any folder in the Explorer and select Open Folder in Code Editor. The folder opens in a new editor window, using whichever of Cursor, Windsurf, or VS Code is installed.

Examples

Run common project commands from the keyboard

1. Save npm run build and npm test.
2. Star both commands.
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+Space (Cmd+Shift+Space on macOS). Your starred commands appear at the top of the picker.
4. Select a command to run it.

Reuse one Git command with different values

1. Save git checkout <branch>.
2. Run it from the Command Panel, tree view, or Quick Command Picker.
3. Enter a branch name when prompted. The command runs with that value, and the saved template stays as git checkout <branch>.

Share commands with a teammate

1. Export your saved commands as JSON.
2. Send the file to your teammate.
3. They import it into their own Smart Command Manager.

Frequently asked questions

Feedback and support

Share questions, bug reports, and feature requests through the extension's Marketplace page.

If Smart Command Manager saves you time, consider supporting its continued development using the Buy Me a Coffee badge below.