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VSIXMANIFEST File - What is it and how do I open it?
Learn about .VSIXMANIFEST files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a VSIXMANIFEST file? A VSIXMANIFST file is a metadata file included in a Microsoft Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code extension ( .VSIX file). It contains information used to identify and install the extension. VSIXMANIFEST files are XML files, whose structure conforms to Microsoft's VSX schema .
More Information VSIXMANIFEST file open in Microsoft Visual Studio Code Microsoft Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code are IDEs that developers use to create programs. Both IDEs allow developers to install extensions that contain additional features. These extensions are saved as VSIX files. (However, VSIX files intended for use with Visual Studio are not compatible with Visual Studio Code, and vice-versa.) Each VSIX file contains a VSIXMANIFEST file that describes that extension's name, function, publisher, assets, and installation information (including any dependencies and prerequisites). Typically, developers installing an extension will never need to view that extension's VSIXMANIFEST file. However, developers can extract a VSIX file's VSIXMANIFEST and open it in Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, or any other text editor, to view the metadata it contains. NOTE: When creating your own Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code extension, you must create a VSIXMANIFEST file and package it with that extension.
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.VSIXMANIFEST File Extension
Visual Studio Extension Manifest
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
1.4 | 5 Votes |
What is a VSIXMANIFEST file?
A VSIXMANIFST file is a metadata file included in a Microsoft Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code extension ( .VSIX file). It contains information used to identify and install the extension. VSIXMANIFEST files are XML files, whose structure conforms to Microsoft's VSX schema .
More Information
VSIXMANIFEST file open in Microsoft Visual Studio Code
Microsoft Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code are IDEs that developers use to create programs. Both IDEs allow developers to install extensions that contain additional features. These extensions are saved as VSIX files. (However, VSIX files intended for use with Visual Studio are not compatible with Visual Studio Code, and vice-versa.)
Each VSIX file contains a VSIXMANIFEST file that describes that extension's name, function, publisher, assets, and installation information (including any dependencies and prerequisites). Typically, developers installing an extension will never need to view that extension's VSIXMANIFEST file. However, developers can extract a VSIX file's VSIXMANIFEST and open it in Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, or any other text editor, to view the metadata it contains.
NOTE: When creating your own Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code extension, you must create a VSIXMANIFEST file and package it with that extension.
Common VSIXMANIFEST Filenames
Extension.vsixmanifest - The name assigned to finalized VSIXMANIFEST files.
Source.extension.vsixmanifest - The name assigned to in-development VSIXMANIFEST files.
How to open a VSIXMANIFEST file
You can open a VSIXMANIFEST file with Microsoft Visual Studio (Windows), Microsoft Visual Studio Code (multiplatform), or any other text editor, to view the metadata it contains.
Note that you likely should not edit a VSIXMANIFEST file, as doing so may prevent you from being able to install the VSIX file that uses that manifest.
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Programs that open or reference VSIXMANIFEST files
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Windows
Microsoft Visual Studio 2022
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Microsoft Visual Studio Code
Free
Any text editor
Mac
Microsoft Visual Studio Code
Free
Any text editor
Linux
Microsoft Visual Studio Code
Free
Any text editor
Category: Developer Files
Updated: January 10, 2023