How do I run a PowerShell script from Visual Studio 2010

Question

If I have a .ps file in Visual Studio, how do I go about running it within the context of the project?

Answer 1

I did this by adding a context menu item linked to an external tool:

Add an "External Tool". Go to Tools > External Tools. Add a new one with these settings:

• Title: Run with Powershell
• Command: powershell.ex
• Arguments: -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -File "$(ItemPath)"
• Initial Directory: $(ItemDir)
• Check "Use Output Window"
• If you plan to use scripts that require arguments, check "Prompt For Arguments"

Take note of the position your tool is in the list (1,2, etc...) Click OK.

• Now go to Tools > Customize, Commands tab, select Context Menu or Toolbar, and choose "Project and Solution Context Menus | Item".
• Click "Add Command...".
• Choose Tools category, and choose "External Command X" where x is the position your tool was in the list (index starts with 1, not 0).
• Click OK.
• Move it to the position you want in the menu, and click "Modify Selection" to give it a friendly name,
• add keyboard shortcuts, etc..
• Click Close.

Right click your .ps1 file in the solution explorere and enjoy. (NOTE: I also did this for cmd.exe to run .bat files.)

Answer 2

Not sure what exactly you mean by "from within the context of the project" but you can:

1. Create a Process

   Process p = new Process();
   

2. Then set the command of the process to be:

   powershell.exe YourScriptName.ps1
   

This works if you just need to run the script.