How to install a VSCode Extension from Source Code

Question

So i was using SFTP but the maintainer didnt update it anymore and it stopped working.

The community thankfully took over and fixed it here: https://github.com/viperet/vscode-sftp-revived

I only know how to install a Extension by searching it in VSCode and press install - but have no clue how to do it with the source code.

I did Google & SOF research but wasnt successfull.

Can someone point me into the right direction ?

Kind regards

Answer 1

If you don't have a published vsix file to work with, for example if the source code has had recent changes that have not yet been published in a release, you can do the following to package the vsix and install it yourself:

0. Install node.js if you don't have it already, you can download binaries for your operating system here: https://nodejs.org/  
1. Install the Visual Studio Code Extensions cli tool:

npm install -g @vscode/vsce

2. Clone the source code repository to your local machine

3. In your shell, change directory to the repository. Install dependencies as needed, for example using npm install

4. Run the following: vsce package. This will produce a .vsix file in your working directory.

5. In VS Code, open the extensions pane and in the menu, choose "Install from VSIX..."

6. Browse to the location of the new vsix file. After it installs, you'll be prompted to reload VS Code, choose to reload.

More reading: https://code.visualstudio.com/api/working-with-extensions/publishing-extension#vsce