vscode-better-open-file
Better Open File is a Visual Studio Code extension that provides a custom file selection dialog that allows you to navigate the file system much faster than the default one.
The extension contributes the Better Open File: Open File command.
Why Does This Exist?
One of the best things about Visual Studio Code is the "Ctrl + P" hotkey, which toggles the Quick Open feature. This allows you to immediately start typing and fuzzy-match the name of the file that you want to open. However, in some situations, you want to open a file, but you don't know the exact name, or the file is not inside of the project workspace. In those situations, you have to resort to the "Ctrl + O" hotkey to open the normal "Open File..." dialog. This will either:
- Open the file selection dialog provided by the operating system (in normal situations).
- Open the "simple file dialog" provided by Visual Studio Code (when the project is on a remote computer).
Unfortunately, both of these file dialogs suck - they don't allow the same fuzzy matching that makes Quick Open great. Thus, this extension provides a minimal file selection dialog that supports fuzzy matching and basic navigational hotkeys.
How Do I Use It?
It is not possible for Visual Studio Code extensions to replace the vanilla "File --> Open File..." functionality. Instead, you can remap the "Ctrl + O" hotkey to trigger the Better Open File: Open File command. To accomplish this:
- Press "Ctrl + Shift + P" to bring up the Command Palette.
- Type:
Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts (JSON)
- Add the following to the array:
{
"key": "ctrl+o",
"command": "betterOpenFile.openFile",
},
List of Features
The aim is to be in the Goldilocks zone: extremely minimal, but not suck.
- A three column file view:
- Use the up and down keyboard arrows to move the cursor.
- Fuzzy match:
- Type anything to fuzzy match.
- Use backspace to clear.
- Basic navigation buttons with hotkeys:
- Back (Alt + Left)
- Forward (Alt + Right)
- Up (Alt + Up)
- Refresh (F5)
- Open (Enter)
- Cancel (Escape)
- You can create a new file with the "New File" button at the top.
- You can create a new directory with either the "New Directory" button at the top or the "Ctrl + Shift + N" hotkey.
- You can delete files or directories with the delete key. (A confirmation dialog will appear.)
- You can rename the currently selected file or directory with the F2 key.
- Right-click to open the context menu:
- Rename
- New File
- New Directory (Ctrl + Shift + N)
Development
Clone the repository, then run:
cd vscode-better-open-file
bun ci # Install dependencies
bun run build # To convert the TypeScript to JavaScript
code . # Open Visual Studio Code to this directory
In Visual Studio Code, use the Run Extension launch configuration.
