# Vscode Ext Commands

> Guidelines for contributing commands in VS Code extensions. Indicates naming convention, visibility, localization and other relevant attributes, following VS Code extension development guidelines, libraries and good practices

- Skill: `thedixitjain/vscode-ext-commands` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add thedixitjain/vscode-ext-commands`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/thedixitjain/vscode-ext-commands/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: thedixitjain (https://skillmd.com/u/thedixitjain)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/thedixitjain/vscode-ext-commands

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# VS Code extension command contribution

This skill helps you to contribute commands in VS Code extensions

## When to use this skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Add or update commands to your VS Code extension

# Instructions

VS Code commands must always define a `title`, independent of its category, visibility or location. We use a few patterns for each "kind" of command, with some characteristics, described below:

* Regular commands: By default, all commands should be accessible in the Command Palette, must define a `category`, and don't need an `icon`, unless the command will be used in the Side Bar.

* Side Bar commands: Its name follows a special pattern, starting with underscore (`_`) and suffixed with `#sideBar`, like `_extensionId.someCommand#sideBar` for instance. Must define an `icon`, and may or may not have some rule for `enablement`. Side Bar exclusive commands should not be visible in the Command Palette. Contributing it to the `view/title` or `view/item/context`, we must inform _order/position_ that it will be displayed, and we can use terms "relative to other command/button" in order to you identify the correct `group` to be used. Also, it's a good practice to define the condition (`when`) for the new command is visible.

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**Source:** [`github/awesome-copilot`](https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot) → `skills/vscode-ext-commands/SKILL.md`