Using Python or TypeScript to transform text that I select in VSCode

Question

Let's say I select some text in the editor. I would like to define my own Python functions or scripts that:

1. Take as an input the selected text as a string.
2. Transform it and return a new string that replaces the selected text back in the editor

Moreover, I would like to ideally register these functions or scripts as a VSCode commands (with a specific commandIDs) that I can define myself and to the command palette in VSCode. By doing so, I can bind them to a shortcut in keybindings.json with specific shortcuts and when clauses.

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Is there any built-in functionality in VSCode to do this? If not, what set of steps can I follow to do it?

Answer 1

Disclaimer: We are the author of vscode-texty extension

Based on OP's suggestion, we have enhanced the vscode-texty to add this support.

Now it supports following capabilities.

• Select some text and process selection using adhoc script
• Select some text and process line within selection using adhoc script
• Custom script can refer to lodash, numeral and moment libraries for easy manipulation of text
• Save the script as custom command and invoke that command with quick pick options
• Key bind that custom command for quick execution

One issue (due to limitation of vscode api) is that, custom commands does not appear in the standard command palette. So to invoke via UI, you first invoke command Texty: Process selections using custom command, which shows all available commands as quick pick options, executes the selection.

Answer 2

It is technically possible, but I'm unaware of any extension that currently supports this idea. You will probably need to write your extension to do this.