Highlight lines in the editor with persistence using the Decoration API. Manually highlight selected lines or automatically highlight all occurrences of searched text. Shows a sidebar with highlighting options, copy functionality, and management tools for the entire workspace.
Installation
Launch VS Code Quick Open (Ctrl+P), paste the following command, and press enter.
Highlight and manage important lines or blocks in your code with persistent, per-file storage, powerful copy functionality, and a comprehensive sidebar overview.
Features
Core Highlighting
Highlight lines or blocks: Select lines and highlight them with a single command or keyboard shortcut
Multiple highlight colors: Choose from 5 preset colors (Cyan, Yellow, Green, Pink, Orange) for different blocks
Adjustable opacity: Use the sidebar slider to change highlight transparency in real time
Persistent highlights: Highlights are saved per file and restored when you reopen your project
Minimap integration: Highlighted blocks appear in the overview ruler for easy navigation when scrolling
Advanced Copy Functionality
Copy by color: Copy all highlighted lines of a specific color from the current file
Copy current file: Copy all highlighted lines from the active file
Copy all files: Copy highlighted lines from every file in your workspace with VS Code search-style formatting
Individual block copy: Copy specific highlighted blocks directly from the sidebar
Smart formatting: Copied content includes file headers and maintains proper line organization
Sidebar Management
Comprehensive overview: View all highlighted blocks in the current file and across your entire workspace
Block management: Reveal, remove, rename, or copy any highlighted block directly from the sidebar
Custom block names: Assign custom names to highlighted blocks for easy reference
Color-coded labels: Block labels in the sidebar are colored to match their highlight for instant visual association
Individual copy buttons: Each block has its own copy button for granular control
Keyboard & Context Integration
Default keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+H to highlight selected lines
Context menu integration: Right-click to access highlight, remove, and copy functions
Command palette: All functions available through VS Code's command palette
Usage
Basic Highlighting
Highlight lines: Select one or more lines and:
Press Ctrl+Shift+H (default keyboard shortcut)
Right-click and select "Highlight Selected Lines" from the context menu
Run the Highlight Current Line command from the Command Palette
Remove highlights: Select highlighted lines and:
Right-click and select "Remove Highlight from Selected Lines"
Run the Remove Highlight from Current Line command from the Command Palette
Copy Functionality
Copy highlighted content:
By color: Right-click → "Copy Highlighted Lines" → "By Color" or use sidebar button
Current file: Right-click → "Copy Highlighted Lines" → "Current File" or use sidebar button
All files: Right-click → "Copy Highlighted Lines" → "All Files" or use sidebar button
Individual blocks: Click the "Copy" button next to any block in the sidebar
Sidebar Management
Using the sidebar: Open the Line Highlighter sidebar from the activity bar to:
Change colors: Click color buttons to set the highlight color for new highlights
Adjust opacity: Use the slider to change transparency of all highlights
View blocks: See all highlighted blocks organized by current file and all files
Manage blocks: Click block labels to reveal them in the editor
Copy blocks: Use individual copy buttons for granular copying
Remove blocks: Use remove buttons to delete specific blocks
Rename blocks: Type in the name field to assign custom names to blocks
Requirements
No special requirements. Works out of the box in any VS Code workspace.
Extension Settings
This extension does not add any user-configurable settings.
Known Issues
Highlights are not shared between different machines unless you sync your VS Code workspaceState
Overview ruler markers use the highlight color but may appear slightly different due to VS Code's rendering
Release Notes
0.1.0
Major Feature Release: Comprehensive copy functionality
Added copy by color, current file, and all files with VS Code search-style formatting
Implemented individual block copy buttons in sidebar
Integrated context menu with copy submenu
Added overview ruler integration for minimap visibility
Enhanced sidebar with individual copy and management controls
0.0.4
Added assignable keybind functions
0.0.2
Added support for multiple highlight colors
Added opacity slider for real-time transparency adjustment
Sidebar block labels now use the highlight color for instant recognition
Improved sidebar block management and visual feedback
0.0.1
Initial release: Highlight, persist, and manage blocks with sidebar overview and renaming
