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madskristensen
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showing-background-progress

Show progress for long-running tasks in Visual Studio extensions.

14|2|Updated Mar 24, 2026
Search Tags:#progress#cancellation#visual-studio#status-bar#visualstudio-extensibility#task-status-center#threaded-wait-dialog
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/madskristensen/vs-agent-plugins --skill showing-background-progress
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: showing-background-progress
Source: https://github.com/madskristensen/vs-agent-plugins/tree/main/skills/showing-background-progress
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/madskristensen/vs-agent-plugins --skill showing-background-progress

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Long-running operations in Visual Studio extensions can leave users unsure about progress or completion, leading to perceived hangs and potential data loss. Proper progress reporting informs users about ongoing work and expected duration.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Status bar progress for quick tasks to provide lightweight feedback.
  • Task Status Center support for long-running background tasks with optional cancellation.
  • Threaded Wait Dialog for actions that require the user to wait, while keeping the IDE responsive.
  • Cross-API guidance across VisualStudio.Extensibility, VSIX Community Toolkit, and VSSDK to implement consistent progress patterns.

Quick Start

Start by selecting the appropriate Visual Studio progress mechanism for your task (Task Status Center, status bar, or threaded wait dialog) and implement progress reporting in your extension’s execution path.

Frequently Asked Questions about showing-background-progress

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I show progress for long-running tasks in Visual Studio extensions?▼

To show progress for long-running tasks in Visual Studio extensions, select the appropriate progress mechanism like Task Status Center, status bar, or Threaded Wait Dialog and implement progress reporting in your extension's execution path.

What is the difference between Task Status Center and the status bar for VS extension progress?▼

Task Status Center supports long-running background tasks with optional cancellation, while the status bar provides lightweight progress feedback for quick tasks in Visual Studio extensions.

When should I use the Threaded Wait Dialog in my Visual Studio extension?▼

Use the Threaded Wait Dialog when an action requires the user to wait while keeping the IDE responsive, avoiding UI thread blocking during long-running Visual Studio extension operations.

Does this Visual Studio progress guidance support cancellation patterns?▼

Yes, implementing Visual Studio extension progress requires familiarity with cancellation patterns, particularly when using Task Status Center for long-running background tasks with optional cancellation.

Can I use this progress reporting approach with VSSDK and VisualStudio.Extensibility?▼

Yes, this approach provides cross-API guidance across VisualStudio.Extensibility, VSIX Community Toolkit, and VSSDK to implement consistent progress patterns for Visual Studio extensions.

Why does my Visual Studio extension hang during long-running operations?▼

Your Visual Studio extension may hang because long-running operations block the UI thread, requiring non-blocking design and proper progress reporting via Task Status Center or Threaded Wait Dialog.

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