extending-open-folder

Adds Open Folder extensibility to Visual Studio via file context providers, actions, and scanners.

14|2|Updated Mar 24, 2026

Search Tags:#workspace #extensions #file-scanning #file-context #visual-studio #open-folder #mef

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/madskristensen/vs-agent-plugins --skill extending-open-folder

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: extending-open-folder
Source: https://github.com/madskristensen/vs-agent-plugins/tree/main/skills/extending-open-folder
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/madskristensen/vs-agent-plugins --skill extending-open-folder

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Open Folder mode in Visual Studio lacks many extension features that depend on a project context. This skill adds file context providers, file context actions, and file scanners to enable build, debug, and navigation workflows for non-MSBuild files, and stores per-folder settings via .vs/VSWorkspaceSettings.json.

Core Features & Use Cases

File context providers that supply build/debug contexts for non-project files.
File context actions to add custom right-click actions on files without a project system.
File scanners to index symbols for Go To navigation in Open Folder environments.
Per-folder workspace settings that persist across sessions and folders.

Quick Start

Start Visual Studio, open a folder, and let the Open Folder skill initialize to enable file context providers, actions, scanners, and per-folder settings.

Frequently Asked Questions about extending-open-folder

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I add custom right-click actions to files in Visual Studio Open Folder mode?▼

To add custom right-click actions in Open Folder mode, you use file context actions. These enable custom workflows on files without requiring a traditional MSBuild project system.

How do I enable Go To symbol navigation for non-project files in an Open Folder workspace?▼

You enable symbol navigation by implementing file scanners. File scanners index symbols in non-MSBuild files, allowing the Go To navigation feature to work within the Open Folder environment.

Can I provide build and debug contexts for non-MSBuild files in Visual Studio?▼

Yes, you can supply build and debug contexts for non-MSBuild files using file context providers. This extends Open Folder capabilities to handle custom file types and languages.

Where are per-folder workspace settings stored in Visual Studio Open Folder?▼

Per-folder workspace settings are stored in the .vs/VSWorkspaceSettings.json file. This allows configurations to persist across sessions and folders within the Open Folder environment.

What APIs are used to extend Visual Studio Open Folder with custom file scanners and actions?▼

Extending Open Folder uses in-process MEF-based APIs and the VSIX Toolkit. These APIs integrate file context providers, actions, and scanners with the Visual Studio extension lifecycle.

Why does my Visual Studio extension not work in Open Folder mode?▼

Extensions often fail in Open Folder mode because they depend on a project context. Adding file context providers and scanners supplies the missing context needed for build, debug, and navigation workflows.