https://github.com/firsttris/vscode-distrobox-reveal
It solves a common annoyance: when you use VS Code connected to a Distrobox container, the standard "Reveal in File Explorer" option is often missing or unavailable.
https://github.com/firsttris/vscode-distrobox-reveal
Last synced: 3 months ago
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It solves a common annoyance: when you use VS Code connected to a Distrobox container, the standard "Reveal in File Explorer" option is often missing or unavailable.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/firsttris/vscode-distrobox-reveal
- Owner: firsttris
- License: mit
- Created: 2026-01-08T05:25:27.000Z (6 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-01-22T06:38:44.000Z (6 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-02-21T23:05:10.054Z (5 months ago)
- Language: TypeScript
- Homepage:
- Size: 144 KB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# 📂 Distrobox Reveal in File Explorer
Open files in your host's file manager from inside Distrobox containers!
---
**[Overview](#-overview) • [Features](#-features) • [Usage](#-usage) • [Requirements](#-requirements) • [Installation](#-installation) • [Contributing](#-contributing)**
---
## 🎯 Overview
A lightweight VS Code extension designed for developers working inside **[Distrobox](https://distrobox.it/)** containers. It restores the missing "Reveal in File Explorer" functionality, allowing you to open files and folders in your **host OS's** file manager seamlessly.
> ✨ **Why use this extension?** When using VS Code connected to a Distrobox container, the standard "Reveal in File Explorer" option is often missing or unavailable. This extension bridges that gap by using `distrobox-host-exec` to open files in your host's file manager (Nautilus, Dolphin, Thunar, etc.) with a single click.
## ✨ Features
| 🚀 Quick Access | 🔧 Flexible Integration |
| --- | --- |
| 🖱️ **Context Menus** - Right-click on files in Explorer sidebar or editor tabs | 📂 **Any File Manager** - Works with Nautilus, Dolphin, Thunar, and more |
| ⌨️ **Command Palette** - Access via "Reveal in Host Explorer" | 🐧 **Native Feel** - Seamless bridge between container and host |
| 📁 **Files & Folders** - Works with both files and directories | ⚡ **Zero Config** - Uses standard `distrobox-host-exec` |
### Key Highlights
- ✅ **Zero Configuration** - Works out-of-the-box with standard Distrobox setups
- 🎨 **Seamless Integration** - Appears in native VS Code context menus
- 🐧 **Linux Native** - Built specifically for the Linux + Distrobox workflow
- ⚡ **Lightweight** - Minimal performance impact on your editor
## 🚀 Usage
The extension provides the command: **"Reveal in Host Explorer"**
### Access Methods
| Method | How to Use |
| --- | --- |
| 📁 **Explorer Context Menu** | Right-click any file or folder in the VS Code sidebar |
| 📑 **Editor Tab Context Menu** | Right-click the tab of any open file |
| ⌨️ **Command Palette** | Press `Ctrl+Shift+P` and type "Reveal in Host Explorer" |
🔧 How it works under the hood
When triggered, the extension executes the following command in your container:
```bash
distrobox-host-exec xdg-open "/absolute/path/to/directory"
```
- If a **file** is selected → opens the parent directory
- If a **directory** is selected → opens that directory directly
## 📋 Requirements
To use this extension effectively, your environment must meet these criteria:
| Requirement | Description |
| --- | --- |
| 🐧 **Distrobox** | You are running VS Code inside a Distrobox container |
| 🔧 **distrobox-host-exec** | Pre-installed in standard Distrobox containers (must be in `$PATH`) |
| 🖥️ **Host Environment** | Linux host with `xdg-open` configured (GNOME, KDE, XFCE, etc.) |
> ⚠️ **Note:** This extension assumes 1:1 path mapping between host and container (the default Distrobox behavior with home directory mounting). Custom internal paths that don't exist on the host won't work.
### 🔑 Important: Remote User Configuration
To ensure VS Code connects to the Distrobox with your host user, you need to configure the `remoteUser` setting:
1. Open the Command Palette (`Ctrl+Shift+P`)
2. Search for **"Dev Containers: Open Container Configuration File"**
3. Add the following line to the configuration:
```json
"remoteUser": "${localEnv:USER}"
```
Without this setting, VS Code may connect as root, which prevents `xdg-open` from accessing your host's desktop session (D-Bus, display server) and the file manager won't open.
## 📦 Installation
### From VS Code Marketplace
1. Open VS Code inside your Distrobox
2. Go to Extensions view (`Ctrl+Shift+X`)
3. Search for **"Distrobox Reveal"**
4. Click **Install**
### Manual Installation
Install the `.vsix` file directly if building from source.
## 🤝 Contributing
Want to contribute? We'd love your help!
### 🚀 Development Setup
1. **Clone the repository**
2. **Install dependencies**
3. **Start development**
- Press `F5` or go to Run → Start Debugging
- A new VS Code window will open with the extension loaded
4. **Build the extension**
```bash
npm run compile
```
**Made with ❤️ for the Linux community**
⭐ Star us on [GitHub](https://github.com/firsttris/vscode-distrobox-reveal) • 🐛 [Report a Bug](https://github.com/firsttris/vscode-distrobox-reveal/issues) • 💡 [Request a Feature](https://github.com/firsttris/vscode-distrobox-reveal/issues)