Bridging the Gap: Using Developer PowerShell with VS Code
Visual Studio Code (VSCode) is a popular and lightweight code editor that offers a seamless development experience with its integrated terminal. However, developers working with Visual Studio (VS) 2019 might miss the functionality of the Developer PowerShell, a powerful tool for managing and deploying applications within the VS environment.
This article explores how to bridge the gap between these two tools by integrating the Developer PowerShell into VSCode, allowing you to harness its capabilities within your preferred development environment.
The Problem: Missing PowerShell Integration
Imagine this scenario: you're working on a .NET project in VSCode, requiring access to advanced PowerShell cmdlets specifically designed for Visual Studio projects. However, the default PowerShell terminal in VSCode doesn't offer these features. You're forced to switch back and forth between VSCode and VS 2019 just to utilize the Developer PowerShell, interrupting your workflow.
# Example of a VS-specific cmdlet
Get-VSProject -Name "MyProject" # This cmdlet is unavailable in standard PowerShell
The Solution: Bridging the Gap with a Custom Profile
The key to integrating Developer PowerShell lies in understanding how it's configured. The magic happens within the Microsoft.VisualStudio.DevShell.dll file, which provides the specific environment and cmdlets used by the Developer PowerShell.
Here's how you can achieve this integration:
-
Locate the Developer PowerShell Path: Open a VS 2019 project and navigate to Tools > Options > Environment > Developer PowerShell. Note the location of the Path field. This is where the
Microsoft.VisualStudio.DevShell.dllfile resides. -
Create a Custom PowerShell Profile: Open a new PowerShell script file and add the following code, replacing the
Path to DevShell.dllwith the actual path from step 1:
# Path to the Developer PowerShell module
$DevShellPath = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Professional\Common7\IDE\Extensions\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v16.0\Microsoft.VisualStudio.DevShell.dll"
# Load the Developer PowerShell module
Add-Type -Path $DevShellPath
-
Configure VSCode Terminal: Navigate to File > Preferences > Settings (or Code > Preferences > Settings on macOS). Search for "terminal.integrated.shell.windows" and set the value to the path of your PowerShell executable, typically located at
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe. -
Add Profile to Your PowerShell Execution Policy: Open a PowerShell window with administrative privileges and execute the following command:
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
- Restart VSCode: Close and reopen your VSCode editor to ensure the changes take effect.
Now, whenever you open a new terminal in VSCode, you'll be working within the Developer PowerShell environment, granting access to the specific cmdlets and features designed for Visual Studio projects.
Benefits of This Approach
- Unified Environment: Work seamlessly within a single environment, avoiding context switching between VS 2019 and VSCode.
- Enhanced Productivity: Utilize advanced PowerShell features, including VS-specific cmdlets, for streamlined development tasks.
- Customization: Tailor your Developer PowerShell environment with custom aliases and scripts to boost your workflow.
Considerations and Alternatives
- Compatibility: This method has been tested with VS 2019. Newer versions of VS may require adjustments to the script.
- Security: Always exercise caution when modifying your execution policy. It's essential to understand the implications and to only trust sources you fully know.
- Community Solutions: Consider exploring community-developed extensions within the VSCode marketplace for alternative ways to integrate Developer PowerShell.
Conclusion
By integrating Developer PowerShell into VSCode, you can unlock a powerful set of tools within your preferred development environment. This approach simplifies your workflow, provides a unified development experience, and allows you to leverage the full potential of both VS 2019 and VSCode.
Remember, the code provided in this article is a starting point. You may need to adjust paths and settings based on your specific environment and project needs.
Happy coding!
