Extending the Editor

Article
07/11/2012

You can extend most features of the Visual Studio code editor by using the Managed Extensibility Framework (MEF) instead of implementing a VSPackage. For example, if the editor feature you want to extend is syntax coloring, you can write a MEF component part that defines the classifications for which you want different coloring and how you want them handled. The editor also supports multiple extensions of the same feature.

The editor presentation layer is based the Windows Presentation Framework (WPF). WPF provides a graphics library for flexible text formatting, and also provides visualizations such as graphics and animations.

The Visual Studio SDK provides adapters known as shims to support VSPackages that were written for earlier versions. Nevertheless, if you have an existing VSPackage, we recommend that you update it to the new technology to obtain better performance and reliability.

Title	Description
Getting Started with Editor Extensions	Explains how to create an extension to the editor.
Using Editor Templates to Create Extensions	Explains how to use the editor extension templates to create an extension.
Inside the Editor	Describes the general structure of the editor, and lists some of its features.
Managed Extensibility Framework in the Editor	Explains how to use the Managed Extensibility Framework (MEF) with the editor.
Editor Extension Points	Lists the extension points of the editor. Extension points represent the editor features that can be extended.
Editor Imports	Lists the services that an extension can import.
Adapting Legacy Code to the New Editor	Explains different ways to adapt legacy code to extend the editor.
Migrating a Legacy Language Service	Explains how to migrate a legacy language service.
Walkthrough: Linking a Content Type to a File Name Extension	Shows how to link a content type to a file name extension.
Walkthrough: Creating a Margin Glyph	Shows how to add an icon to a margin.
Walkthrough: Highlighting Text	Shows how to use tags to highlight text.
Walkthrough: Outlining	Shows how to add outlining for specific kinds of braces.
Walkthrough: Displaying Matching Braces	Shows how to highlight matching braces.
Walkthrough: Displaying QuickInfo Tooltips	Shows how to display QuickInfo popups that describe elements of code such as properties, methods, and events.
Walkthrough: Displaying Signature Help	Shows how to display popups that give information about the number and types of parameters in a signature.
Walkthrough: Displaying Statement Completion	Shows how to implement statement completion.
Walkthrough: Implementing Code Snippets	Shows how to implement code-snippet expansion.
Walkthrough: Displaying SmartTags	Shows how to implement smart tags.
Walkthrough: Using a Shell Command with an Editor Extension	Shows how to associate a menu command in a VSPackage with a MEF component.
Walkthrough: Using a Shortcut Key with an Editor Extension	Shows how to associate a menu shortcut in a VSPackage with a MEF component.
Managed Extensibility Framework Overview	Provides information about the Managed Extensibility Framework (MEF).
Windows Presentation Foundation	Provides information about the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF).