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Action Sequences Extension

TypeScriptVS Code ExtensionDeveloper Productivity

I built the Action Sequences extension to remove repetitive command chains from my daily VS Code workflow. The idea is simple: define a named sequence of command IDs once in settings, then run the whole sequence from a dedicated sidebar view with a single click.

Instead of manually triggering a stack of commands every time (format, save, reopen, reload, etc.), I can package those operations into reusable workflows and execute them in order. That makes recurring tasks faster, more consistent, and less error-prone.

What the extension does

The extension adds an Activity Bar container called Action Sequences and shows each configured workflow in a tree view. Selecting an item runs all commands in that sequence sequentially, with progress feedback while it executes.

It also includes quick actions for:

  • Opening sequence settings directly
  • Refreshing the list after configuration changes

Configuration model

Sequences are configured through actionsExtension.sequences in settings JSON. Each sequence contains:

  • name: Human-readable workflow name
  • commands: Array of VS Code command IDs to run in order

Example:

"actionsExtension.sequences": [
  {
    "name": "Format and Save",
    "commands": [
      "editor.action.formatDocument",
      "workbench.action.files.save"
    ]
  },
  {
    "name": "Reload Window",
    "commands": [
      "workbench.action.reloadWindow"
    ]
  }
]

Why I built it

This project came from a practical need: reducing context switching and friction in repetitive editor tasks. I wanted an extension that feels native to VS Code, is easy to configure, and is UI first.

You can find the source code here: Action Sequences on GitHub

GitHub