Auto Open Files

A Visual Studio Code extension that automatically opens related files when you open a file that matches specific patterns.

Features

• Automatically open related files when you open a matching file
• Configurable rules using regular expression patterns
• Control where the related files open (side-by-side, etc.)
• Easily enable or disable the functionality

Usage

By default, when you open an HTML file (e.g., myComponent.html), the extension will automatically open the corresponding JavaScript file (myComponent.js) in a side-by-side view.

Configuration

Customize the extension in VS Code settings:

// Enable or disable the extension
"autoOpenFiles.enabled": true,

// Maximum number of tabs/columns to use (0 = unlimited)
"autoOpenFiles.maxTab": 2,

// Configure rules for auto-opening files
"autoOpenFiles.rules": [
  {
    // Regular expression pattern for the file that triggers auto-opening
    "triggerPattern": "(.+)\\.html$",

    // Pattern for the file to open, using capture groups from triggerPattern
    "openPattern": "$1.js",

    // Where to open the related file
    "viewColumn": "beside"
  },
  {
    // Another example: Open CSS file when opening a component
    "triggerPattern": "(.+)Component\\.js$",
    "openPattern": "$1.css",
    "viewColumn": "beside"
  }
]

Rule Properties

• triggerPattern: Regular expression pattern with capture groups to match the opened file
• openPattern: Pattern for the file to open, using $1, $2, etc. to reference capture groups
• viewColumn: Where to open the related file:
  • "beside": Opens to the side (typically to the right)
  • "beside-left": Forces opening to the left of the current editor
  • "beside-right": Forces opening to the right of the current editor
  • "active": Opens in the current editor group
• hasOppositeRule: Indicate if there is an opposite rule. This is needed for bidirectional rules.
• onlyIfMultipleTabs: When true, the file will only be opened if there are already multiple tabs open.

Examples

1. Open TypeScript file when opening HTML file:

   {
   	"triggerPattern": "(.+)\\.html$",
   	"openPattern": "$1.ts",
   	"viewColumn": "beside"
   }
   

2. Open CSS file when opening React component:

   {
   	"triggerPattern": "(.+)\\.jsx$",
   	"openPattern": "$1.css",
   	"viewColumn": "beside"
   }
   

3. Open implementation file when opening header:

   {
   	"triggerPattern": "(.+)\\.h$",
   	"openPattern": "$1.cpp",
   	"viewColumn": "beside"
   }
   

4. Bidirectional rule for HTML and JS files:

   {
     "triggerPattern": "(.+)\\.html$",
     "openPattern": "$1.js",
     "viewColumn": "beside-right",
     "hasOppositeRule": true
   },
   {
     "triggerPattern": "(.+)\\.js$",
     "openPattern": "$1.html",
     "viewColumn": "beside-left",
     "hasOppositeRule": true
   }
   

5. Open JavaScript file when HTML file is opened only if multiple tabs/columns are already open:

   {
   	"triggerPattern": "(.+)\\.html$",
   	"openPattern": "$1.js",
   	"viewColumn": "beside",
   	"onlyIfMultipleTabs": true
   }
   

6. Complete configuration example with bidirectional rules and multiple tabs condition:

   {
   	"autoOpenFiles.enabled": true,
   	"autoOpenFiles.maxTab": 2,
   	"autoOpenFiles.rules": [
   		{
   			"triggerPattern": "(.+)\\.html$",
   			"openPattern": "$1.js",
   			"viewColumn": "beside-right",
   			"hasOppositeRule": true,
   			"onlyIfMultipleTabs": true
   		},
   		{
   			"triggerPattern": "(.+)\\.js$",
   			"openPattern": "$1.html",
   			"viewColumn": "beside-left",
   			"hasOppositeRule": true,
   			"onlyIfMultipleTabs": true
   		},
   		{
   			"triggerPattern": "(.+)Test\\.cls$",
   			"openPattern": "$1.cls",
   			"viewColumn": "beside-left",
   			"onlyIfMultipleTabs": true
   		}
   	]
   }
   

Development / Run Locally

1. Clone

   git clone https://github.com/guevaran/vscode-auto-open-files.git
   cd vscode-auto-open-files
   

2. Install dependencies

   npm install
   

3. Build (optional, VS Code does this on F5 if watch not running)

   npm run compile
   

4. Start debug session

   • Open the folder in VS Code
   • Press F5 (launches an Extension Development Host)
   • Open a file matching a triggerPattern to verify behavior

5. Change code and auto-reload

   • Keep the debug window open
   • Edit files in src/
   • Use Command Palette: Developer: Reload Window if needed

6. Enable verbose logs

   • Run command: Auto Open Files: Show Logs
   • Adjust settings and observe output channel "Auto Open Files"

7. Test packaging (optional)

   npm install -g @vscode/vsce
   vsce package
   

   Outputs a .vsix you can install via VSIX: Install from VSIX...

8. Install locally without packaging

   • Use vsce to publish privately or just copy folder into your VS Code extensions dir (not recommended; use F5 for dev)

Useful Commands

Action	Command
Show logs	Auto Open Files: Show Logs
Open settings JSON	Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)
Reload window	Developer: Reload Window

License

MIT