Discovers tasks from multiple sources, displays them in a unified tree view, and allows grouping and parallel execution -- directly in Visual Studio.
Bridges the gap between VS Code (tasks.json with compound tasks) and Visual Studio (no equivalent).
The Problem
Visual Studio offers no way to start multiple background processes (e.g., npm run watchcss + dotnet watch + docker compose up) in a coordinated manner. Developers must manually open terminals, remember which processes need to run, and manage tasks from different tools in different locations.
Features
Task Discovery -- discovers tasks from .vscode/tasks.json, tasks.vs.json, package.json, .csproj (MSBuild targets), launchSettings.json, and compose.yml
Unified Tree View -- all tasks from all sources in a single sidebar tool window
Run Groups -- bundle tasks into groups and start them with one click
Parallel + Sequential -- start tasks in parallel or in sequence with dependency ordering
Compound Tasks -- VS Code-style dependsOn with dependsOrder support
Background Task Management -- see which processes are running, stop them individually or as a group
Details Pane -- click any task to see command, working directory, type, and status
Toolbar Tabs -- switch between Tasks, Background (extension info), and Feedback (GitHub issue form)
Problem Matcher -- detects errors and warnings in task output
.NET Framework Support -- both SDK-style and non-SDK-style .csproj projects
Package Manager Detection -- auto-detects npm, pnpm, or yarn via lock files
File Watching -- automatically refreshes when task source files change
Process Tree Kill -- Windows Job Objects ensure all child processes are terminated
Task Sources
Source
What it discovers
.vscode/tasks.json
VS Code task definitions (labels, commands, compound tasks)
.vs/tasks.vs.json
VS native tasks for Open Folder mode
package.json
npm/pnpm/yarn scripts
.csproj
Custom MSBuild targets with <Exec> commands
launchSettings.json
.NET launch profiles
compose.yml
Docker Compose services
Usage
Open a solution or folder in Visual Studio
Open the tool window: Tools > Task Runner Extended
The tree shows all discovered tasks grouped by source file
Right-click a task for options: Start, Stop, Add to Group
Create Run Groups via "Add to Group..." context menu
Run Groups
Run Groups bundle multiple tasks that should be started together. Groups are organized under two file nodes:
Shared (commited) -- task-runner-extended-am.json, shared with the team via git
Local (not commited) -- task-runner-extended-am.local.json, personal per-user settings
To create a group:
Right-click a task > Add to Group...
Choose Shared or Local as the target file
Enter a group name (default: "Development")
Right-click the group > Start to start all tasks
Add *.local.json to your .gitignore to prevent local settings from being committed.
