dotLOG

A VS Code extension that replicates Windows Notepad's .LOG functionality. Automatically append timestamps to files that begin with ".LOG" for easy chronological logging.

Features

• Automatic Timestamping: When you open a file that starts with ".LOG", the extension automatically appends the current date and time
• Multiple File Types: Supports .txt, .log, and .md files
• Smart Formatting:
  • Plain text timestamps for .txt and .log files
  • Markdown heading format (##) for .md files
• Non-intrusive: Only processes files that explicitly start with ".LOG"
• Performance Optimized: Minimal impact on VS Code performance (< 100ms processing time)
• Error Handling: Graceful handling of read-only files and permission errors

Installation

From VS Code Marketplace

1. Open VS Code
2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
3. Search for "dotLOG"
4. Click Install

Manual Installation

1. Download the latest .vsix file from the releases page
2. Open VS Code
3. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
4. Click the "..." menu and select "Install from VSIX..."
5. Select the downloaded .vsix file

Development Installation

git clone https://github.com/ebbypeter/dotLOG.git
cd dotLOG
npm install
npm run compile

Then press F5 to launch a new Extension Development Host window.

Usage

Basic Usage

1. Create a new file or open an existing file
2. Type .LOG as the very first line of the file (case-sensitive, all caps)
3. Save the file
4. Close and reopen the file
5. The extension will automatically append a timestamp in "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM AM/PM" format
6. Your cursor will be positioned after the timestamp for immediate typing

Example

Before opening (sample.txt):

.LOG
Meeting notes from yesterday

After opening:

.LOG
Meeting notes from yesterday

2025-08-08 14:30

File Type Specific Formatting

Text Files (.txt) and Log Files (.log)

Timestamps are appended as plain text:

.LOG
Previous content...

2025-08-08 14:30

Markdown Files (.md)

Timestamps are formatted as level 2 headings:

.LOG
Previous content...

## 2025-08-08 14:30

Supported File Types

• .txt - Plain text files
• .log - Log files
• .md - Markdown files

Files with other extensions will not be processed, even if they start with ".LOG".

Requirements

• VS Code 1.100.0 or higher
• No additional dependencies required

Configuration

This extension works automatically without any configuration. There are no settings to configure.

Troubleshooting

Timestamps Not Being Added

1. Check the first line: Ensure the file starts with exactly .LOG (case-sensitive, all caps)
2. Verify file type: Only .txt, .log, and .md files are supported
3. File permissions: Ensure the file is not read-only
4. Reopen the file: The timestamp is added when the file is opened, not saved

Performance Issues

The extension is designed to have minimal performance impact:

• Processing completes within 100ms
• Only files starting with ".LOG" are processed
• No background processing when files don't match criteria

Error Handling

The extension handles errors gracefully:

• Read-only files: Silently skipped, no error messages
• Permission errors: Logged to console, no user interruption
• Invalid file types: Ignored without processing

Known Limitations

• Only processes files when they are opened, not when saved
• Requires exact ".LOG" format (case-sensitive)
• Limited to three file types (.txt, .log, .md)
• Timestamps use local system time

Contributing

See CONTRIBUTING.md for development setup and contribution guidelines.

Release Notes

See CHANGELOG.md for detailed release history.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Support

• Report issues: GitHub Issues
• Feature requests: GitHub Discussions

Acknowledgments

Inspired by the classic Windows Notepad .LOG functionality that has helped users maintain simple chronological logs for decades. All the documentation and tests are generated using a combination of Github Copilot and Kiro IDE