Explorer Dates brings file modification timestamps directly into VS Code's Explorer sidebar. See when files were last modified with intuitive time badges like 5m, 2h, 3d - no more cryptic single characters!
- Date Decorations: Shows last modified dates directly in the Explorer sidebar
- Smart Formatting: Multiple format options from concise relative time to full absolute dates
- File Size Display: Optional file size alongside dates (e.g., "5m • 1.2KB")
- Color Schemes: Choose from none, recency-based, subtle, or vibrant color coding
- Context Menu Integration: Right-click to copy file dates or show detailed file information
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Quick toggle decorations with Ctrl+Shift+D (Cmd+Shift+D on Mac)
- Non-intrusive: Subtle decorations that don't clutter your workspace
- Accessibility: High-contrast mode and screen reader compatible
- Localization: Support for 6 languages (EN, ES, FR, DE, JA, ZH) with auto-detection
- Intelligent Performance: Smart caching, configurable exclusions, and file watching
- Flexible Configuration: 15+ settings to customize display, performance, and behavior
- Debugging Tools: Built-in logging, performance metrics, and troubleshooting commands
The extension uses VS Code's FileDecorationProvider API to add date information as subtle badges next to file names in the Explorer. No separate panels or views - the dates appear directly where you need them.
Date Format Examples (practical 2‑char limit):
- Recent files:
5m,2h,3d,1w - This year (month token examples, truncated to 2 chars):
Oc,Se,Ja - Author initials (when selected via
badgePriority: "author"):JD,AL - Compact sizes (when
badgePriority: "size"andshowFileSizeenabled):5K,2M,12
Note: VS Code enforces a practical 2‑character limit for Explorer badges across platforms and fonts. Explorer Dates truncates visual badges to 2 characters to avoid rejection or layout issues. Full date, full size, and full Git info are always available in the decoration tooltip and in accessibility text.
- Install the extension from VS Code Marketplace
- Restart VS Code (decorations appear automatically)
- Customize via Settings → search "explorer dates"
- Try shortcuts: Ctrl+Shift+D to toggle, right-click files for options
- Large projects: Enable performance exclusions for
node_modules,dist, etc. - Visual preference: Try
colorScheme: "recency"andshowFileSize: true - Minimal look: Use
dateDecorationFormat: "smart"(default) - Accessibility: Enable
highContrastModeif needed
- View decorations: Date badges appear automatically in Explorer
- Get details: Hover over decorations for full timestamps and Git info
- Quick actions: Right-click files for "Copy File Date" and "Show File Details"
- Commands: Use Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) for:
- Toggle Date Decorations
- Copy File Date
- Show File Details
- Show Performance Metrics
- Open Logs
- Refresh Date Decorations
Quick Setup: Most users only need to configure the first 2-3 settings below. See SETTINGS_GUIDE.md for detailed configuration examples.
| Setting | Options | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
showDateDecorations |
true/false |
true |
Enable/disable all date decorations |
dateDecorationFormat |
smart, relative-short, relative-long, absolute-short, absolute-long |
smart |
How dates are displayed |
colorScheme |
none, recency, file-type, subtle, vibrant, custom |
none |
Color coding for decorations |
| Setting | Options | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
showFileSize |
true/false |
false |
Show file size with dates |
fileSizeFormat |
auto, bytes, kb, mb |
auto |
File size display format |
fadeOldFiles |
true/false |
false |
Fade decorations for files older than threshold |
fadeThreshold |
Number | 30 |
Days after which to fade decorations (1-365) |
showGitInfo |
none, author, both |
none |
Show Git commit author info with dates |
customColors |
Object | {...} |
Custom colors when colorScheme is 'custom' |
highContrastMode |
true/false |
false |
Enhanced visibility for accessibility |
| Setting | Options | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
badgePriority |
time, author, size |
time |
Choose which information should occupy the visual badge (limited to 2 characters). time shows the time-based badge (default). author shows author initials when available. size shows a compact size indicator when showFileSize is enabled. |
Notes:
- VS Code enforces a practical 2-character limit for Explorer badges; the extension truncates visual badges to 2 characters to remain compatible with different platforms and icon fonts.
- Git author initials and compact size indicators are shown only when requested via
badgePriority. Otherwise Git/size information is surfaced in the tooltip and the accessibility text. - Compact size examples:
5K,2M, or12(two-digit fallback).
- Developer Tools: If you need to verify badge acceptance, open
Help → Toggle Developer Tools(Extension Host console) while running the extension to view any rejection messages. - Built-in diagnostic command (optional): Add the diagnostic snippet from
DOCS/SETTINGS_GUIDE.mdto register a temporary command that emits test badges for several lengths. Run it and capture Extension Host console output if you see rejection warnings.
Inspired by the original explorer-plus concept, but completely reimplemented using VS Code's native FileDecorationProvider API for better performance and integration.
See CHANGELOG.md for complete details.
Major Configuration & Feature Update
- Fixed Configuration Conflicts
- File Size Display
- Enhanced Color Schemes
- Context Menu Integration
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Improved Settings
Performance & Localization Update
- Performance Optimization: Configurable exclusions, intelligent caching, and performance metrics
- Accessibility: High-contrast mode and enhanced screen reader support
- Localization: Support for 6 languages with auto-detection
- Debugging Tools: Built-in logging and performance metrics viewing
Initial Release
- Native Integration: Built using VS Code's FileDecorationProvider API
- Intuitive Time Badges: Clear formats like
5m,2h,3d - Smart Performance: Intelligent caching and file system watching
- Lightweight: Elegant native decorations without UI overlays
See CHANGELOG.md for complete details.