Recent Files - VS Code Extension

This VS Code extension tracks recently used files on a per-project basis and provides quick access to them. It maintains separate file history for each workspace and offers a favorites feature.

🚀 Features

📁 Project-Based File Tracking

• Separate recent files list for each workspace/project
• Files are automatically added to the list as they are opened
• Most recently used files appear at the top

⭐ Favorite Files

• Mark files as favorites
• Favorite files always appear at the top of the list
• Favorite status is preserved when VS Code is restarted

🗂️ Custom Activity Bar Panel

• Dedicated "Recent Files" section in the Activity Bar (sidebar)
• File names and relative paths are visible
• Icons based on file type
• Always visible and accessible

🎮 Interactive Controls

• File Opening: Click on file name to open directly
• Favorite Toggle: Use star icon to change favorite status
• Remove: Use trash icon to remove from list
• Clear All: Option to clear entire list

📥 Installation

From VSIX Package

1. Download the latest .vsix file from the Releases page
2. Open VS Code
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) to open Command Palette
4. Type "Extensions: Install from VSIX..."
5. Select the downloaded .vsix file
6. Restart VS Code if prompted

From Source Code

1. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/HasancanCakicioglu/recent-files.git
2. Navigate to the project directory: cd recent-files
3. Install dependencies: npm install
4. Build the extension: npm run package
5. Install the generated .vsix file

📋 Usage

Basic Usage

1. Extension Activation: Automatically activates when workspace is opened
2. File Tracking: Files are automatically added to the list when opened
3. Quick Access: Click on files from the "Recent Files" section in the Activity Bar

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+Alt+F (Windows/Linux) / Cmd+Alt+F (Mac): Toggle favorite for active file

Commands (Command Palette)

• Recent Files: Toggle Favorite for Active File: Mark active file as favorite
• Recent Files: Clear All Recent Files: Clear all recent files
• Recent Files: Refresh: Refresh the list

🛠️ Technical Details

VS Code API Usage

• vscode.window.onDidChangeActiveTextEditor: File opening tracking
• vscode.window.createTreeView: Custom Activity Bar panel
• vscode.workspace.getWorkspaceFolder: Project-based storage
• vscode.commands.registerCommand: Command handlers
• viewsContainers.activitybar: Custom Activity Bar container
• vscode.workspace.workspaceState: Data persistence per workspace

Data Storage

• Separate data storage for each workspace
• Uses VS Code's workspaceState API
• Maximum 50 files retained (configurable)

🐛 Known Issues

• Deleted files are not automatically removed from the list (manual removal required)
• Performance may be affected in very large workspaces

📝 Version Notes

0.0.1

• Initial development version
• Basic file tracking
• Tree view panel
• Favorite files
• Context menu commands

Following extension guidelines

Ensure that you've read through the extensions guidelines and follow the best practices for creating your extension.

• Extension Guidelines

Working with Markdown

You can author your README using Visual Studio Code. Here are some useful editor keyboard shortcuts:

• Split the editor (Cmd+\ on macOS or Ctrl+\ on Windows and Linux).
• Toggle preview (Shift+Cmd+V on macOS or Shift+Ctrl+V on Windows and Linux).
• Press Ctrl+Space (Windows, Linux, macOS) to see a list of Markdown snippets.

For more information

• Visual Studio Code's Markdown Support
• Markdown Syntax Reference

Enjoy!