# Installation and Usage Guide

## How to Install This Extension

### Option 1: Package and Install Locally

1. **Package the extension**:
   ```bash
   npm install -g vsce
   vsce package
   ```
   This creates a `.vsix` file.

2. **Install the VSIX file**:
   - Open VS Code
   - Press `Ctrl+Shift+P` (or `Cmd+Shift+P` on Mac)
   - Type "Extensions: Install from VSIX"
   - Select the generated `.vsix` file

### Option 2: Development Mode

1. **Open this project in VS Code**
2. **Press F5** to launch a new VS Code window with the extension loaded
3. **Open your RESX project** in the new window to test the extension

## How to Use

1. **Open a workspace** containing .resx files
2. **Edit any .resx file** and save it
3. **Watch the status bar** for regeneration progress
4. **Check the Designer.cs file** to see it was updated automatically

## Commands Available

- **`RESX Designer: Regenerate Designer.cs`** - Manually regenerate a Designer.cs file
- **`RESX Designer: Show Output`** - View extension logs
- **`RESX Designer: Reload Configuration`** - Restart the extension with new settings

## Configuration

Go to VS Code Settings and search for "resx" to configure:

- Enable/disable auto-regeneration
- Show/hide notifications
- Adjust debounce delay
- Set custom ResGen.exe paths
- Configure watch patterns

## Publishing to Marketplace

To publish this extension to the VS Code Marketplace:

1. **Create a publisher account** at https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/
2. **Update package.json** with your publisher name
3. **Get a Personal Access Token** from Azure DevOps
4. **Publish**:
   ```bash
   vsce publish
   ```

## Transferring to Other Machines

### Method 1: Share the VSIX File
1. Package: `vsce package`
2. Share the `.vsix` file
3. Install on other machines using "Extensions: Install from VSIX"

### Method 2: Copy Extension Files
1. Copy this entire project folder
2. On the target machine:
   ```bash
   npm install
   npm run compile
   ```
3. Press F5 to test, or package with `vsce package`

### Method 3: Publish to Private Registry
- Publish to a private VS Code extension registry
- Install on other machines via the registry

## Troubleshooting

### Extension Not Activating
- Check that VS Code version is 1.101.0 or higher
- Look for errors in the Developer Console (Help → Toggle Developer Tools)

### ResGen Not Found
- Install .NET SDK from https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download
- Or set custom path in extension settings

### Files Not Regenerating
- Check the Output panel (View → Output → RESX Designer Auto-Generator)
- Verify the .resx file syntax is valid
- Try the manual regenerate command