Execute .csx as a Task in VSCode

Run Your C# Script with Ease: Executing .csx Files as Tasks in VSCode#

VSCode offers a powerful feature called “Tasks” that allows you to automate repetitive actions within your development workflow. This article will guide you through creating a task to seamlessly execute your C# script files (.csx) within the Visual Studio Community Shell (CSI).

Understanding Tasks in VSCode:

Tasks in VSCode define specific actions you want to execute, often triggered by keyboard shortcuts or integrated into the build process. They offer a way to streamline repetitive actions, saving you time and effort.

Creating a Task for .csx Files:

1. Open the tasks.json File: Navigate to your project folder in VSCode and open the tasks.json file. If it doesn’t exist, right-click in the project folder and select “New File” > “tasks.json”.

2. Paste the Code Snippet: Paste the following code snippet into the tasks.json file:

{
  // See https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=733558
  // for the documentation about the tasks.json format
  "version": "2.0.0",
  "tasks": [
    {
      "label": "Execute in CSI",
      "type": "shell",
      "command": "${env:windir}\\SysWOW64\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe",
      "args": [
        "-noe",
        "-Command",
        "\"&{Import-Module 'C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Visual Studio\\2022\\Community\\Common7\\Tools\\Microsoft.VisualStudio.DevShell.dll'; Enter-VsDevShell 2e1eb90d; Set-Location ${workspaceRoot}; csi ${file}; exit}\""
      ]
    }
  ]
}
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Explanation of the Code:

• "label": This defines the name you’ll see for the task in the VSCode Command Palette (usually Ctrl+Shift+P). Here, it’s named “Execute in CSI”.
• "type": This specifies the type of task, set to "shell" as we’re using PowerShell.
• "command": This defines the program to execute, which is the PowerShell executable path.
• "args": These are the arguments passed to PowerShell.
  • -noe: This suppresses execution policy errors.
  • -Command: This introduces the actual command to be executed.
  • The inner script:
    • Imports the Microsoft.VisualStudio.DevShell.dll module.
    • Starts the CSI with a specific GUID (modify if needed).
    • Sets the working directory to your workspace root.
    • Executes csi ${file}, where ${file} is replaced with the currently opened file path.
    • Exits the CSI session.

Running the Task:

1. Open the Command Palette: Press Ctrl+Shift+P to open the Command Palette.
2. Search for Task: Type “Tasks” or “Run Task” and select the option “Run Build Task”.
3. Choose Your Task: Select the task named “Execute in CSI” from the list.

This will trigger the PowerShell script, launching the CSI and executing your currently opened .csx file within the CSI environment.

Customization:

• Adjust the GUID: If you’re using a different version of Visual Studio, you might need to modify the GUID in the script (2e1eb90d) to match your specific installation. You can find the correct GUID by searching online for “Enter-VsDevShell GUID”.

With this task configured, you can quickly execute your .csx files within the CSI directly from VSCode, streamlining your development workflow for C# scripting.