Hosts Manager VS Code Extension

A modern VS Code extension for managing your /etc/hosts file with a fast, secure, and user-friendly interface. Includes shell integration, backup management, and real-time updates.

Features

• Add, Edit, Delete Host Entries: Manage entries directly from the sidebar or web panel
• Enable/Disable Entries: Toggle host entries with a single click (context menu or web panel)
• Visual Tree View: Browse all host entries with status indicators (enabled/disabled)
• Web Panel: Table view for bulk management, editing, toggling, and deleting entries
• Automatic Backups: Create and restore backups before making changes
• Backup Management: View, restore, and delete backups from the sidebar
• Shell Integration: Execute commands using your preferred shell (zsh, bash, fish, sh)
• Elevated Privileges: Sudo authentication for system file changes
• Real-time Updates: Auto-refresh when hosts file changes externally
• Status Bar & Notifications: Quick access and feedback for all major actions

Installation

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

Usage

Commands (Command Palette)

• Hosts Manager: Open Hosts File – Open hosts file in editor
• Hosts Manager: Add Host Entry – Add a new host entry
• Hosts Manager: Toggle Host Entry – Enable/disable a host entry
• Hosts Manager: Edit Host Entry – Edit an existing host entry
• Hosts Manager: Delete Host Entry – Delete a host entry
• Hosts Manager: Backup Hosts File – Create a backup
• Hosts Manager: Restore Hosts File – Restore from a backup
• Hosts Manager: Show Hosts Panel – Open the web-based management panel
• Hosts Manager: Flush DNS Cache – Flush DNS cache (macOS/Linux/Windows)
• Hosts Manager: Open Backup Folder – Open backup location
• Hosts Manager: Cleanup All Backups – Remove all backups

Tree View (Sidebar)

• View all host entries with status (enabled/disabled)
• Right-click for context menu: Enable, Disable, Edit, Delete, Open Hosts File
• Backup view: Restore, Delete, Cleanup backups

Web Panel

• Table view of all entries (IP, hostname, comment, status)
• Add, edit, delete, enable/disable entries
• Backup and restore actions
• Real-time refresh and notifications

Configuration

Configure the extension in VS Code settings:

{
  "hostsManager.autoBackup": true,
  "hostsManager.backupLocation": "/path/to/backups",
  "hostsManager.shell": "zsh"
}

Settings

• hostsManager.autoBackup (boolean): Automatically backup hosts file before changes (default: true)
• hostsManager.backupLocation (string): Custom backup location (default: extension directory)
• hostsManager.shell (string): Preferred shell for executing commands (default: "zsh")

Permissions

This extension requires elevated privileges to modify the hosts file.

macOS/Linux

• Prompts for sudo authentication when needed
• Ensure your user has sudo privileges

Windows

• Run VS Code as Administrator for full functionality
• The extension will attempt to use elevated commands when possible

File Locations

• macOS/Linux: /etc/hosts
• Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Security

• Automatic backups before modifications
• Error handling and user confirmation for all destructive actions
• Temporary files are cleaned up after operations
• No sensitive data is stored or transmitted

Development

To contribute or modify this extension:

1. Clone the repository
2. Run npm install
3. Open in VS Code
4. Press F5 to launch in development mode

Building

npm run compile  # Compile TypeScript
npm run watch    # Watch for changes
npm run package  # Create .vsix package

Requirements

• VS Code 1.74.0 or higher
• Node.js for development
• Appropriate system permissions for hosts file access

Known Issues

• Requires elevated privileges for hosts file modifications
• Some antivirus software may flag hosts file changes
• File watching may not work on some network drives

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details

Support

• Report issues on GitHub
• Feature requests welcome
• Community support available

Note: This extension modifies system files and requires appropriate permissions. Always review changes before applying them to production systems.