https://github.com/ottojimb/quickchars
VSCode extension: quick access to special characters, symbols, emojis, and code snippets
https://github.com/ottojimb/quickchars
emojis shortcuts snippets special-characters unicode-characters vscode-extension
Last synced: about 2 months ago
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VSCode extension: quick access to special characters, symbols, emojis, and code snippets
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/ottojimb/quickchars
- Owner: ottojimb
- License: mit
- Created: 2025-07-30T19:41:53.000Z (11 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-08-05T22:04:50.000Z (11 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-03-22T19:08:25.044Z (3 months ago)
- Topics: emojis, shortcuts, snippets, special-characters, unicode-characters, vscode-extension
- Language: TypeScript
- Homepage:
- Size: 2.48 MB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Changelog: CHANGELOG.md
- Funding: .github/FUNDING.yml
- License: LICENSE
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README
# ๐ QuickChars
A Visual Studio Code extension that provides quick access to special characters, symbols, emojis, and code snippets through a convenient sidebar panel.
If you enjoy this extension, you can:
## ๐ธ Screenshots
Emojis ๐
Snippets ๐งโ๐ป
Custom ๐ง
Settings โ๏ธ
## โจ Features
- **โก Quick Character Insertion**: Insert special characters and symbols with a single click
- **๐ Code Snippets**: Insert predefined code snippets with placeholders
- **๐ Collapsible Groups**: Organize items into groups that can be expanded/collapsed
- **๐พ Persistent State**: Groups remember their expanded/collapsed state between sessions
- **๐ Dual Panel Support**: Available in both Activity Bar and Explorer sidebar
- **๐จ Fully Customizable**: Configure your own groups and items through VS Code settings
## ๐ฆ Default Groups
QuickChars comes with these pre-configured example groups:
- **๐ค Special Characters**: Arrows, copyright, checkmarks, currency symbols, mathematical operators
- **๐ช๐ธ Spanish Accents**: Accented letters and Spanish punctuation (ยฟ, ยก)
- **๐ Emojis**: Common emojis for documentation and comments
- **๐ป Code Snippets**: Console.log and arrow function templates
## ๐ฏ How to Use
1. **๐ Access the Panel**: Look for the QuickChars icon in the Activity Bar or Explorer sidebar
2. **โจ Insert Items**: Click any button to insert the character or snippet at your cursor position
3. **๐ Expand/Collapse Groups**: Click on group headers to show/hide their contents
4. **๐ Hide Info Banner**: Uncheck "Show Info Banner" in settings once you're familiar with the extension
## โ๏ธ Customization
### ๐ Adding Your Own Groups and Items
1. Open VS Code Settings (`Ctrl/Cmd + ,`)
2. Search for "QuickChars"
3. Edit the "Groups" configuration
### ๐ Configuration Format
```json
{
"quickChars.groups": [
{
"name": "My Custom Group",
"items": [
{ "label": "โ", "text": "โ" },
{ "label": "My Snippet", "text": "console.log('$1');", "isSnippet": true }
]
}
]
}
```
### ๐ง Configuration Example
```json
{
"quickChars.groups": [
{
"name": "Math Symbols",
"items": [
{ "label": "ฮฑ", "text": "ฮฑ" },
{ "label": "ฯ", "text": "ฯ" }
]
},
{
"name": "JS Snippets",
"items": [
{ "label": "Log", "text": "console.log('$1');", "isSnippet": true }
]
}
]
}
```
### ๐ท๏ธ Item Properties
- `label`: Text displayed on the button
- `text`: Text to be inserted
- `isSnippet` (optional): Set to `true` for full-width snippet buttons
### ๐ Placeholder Support
- `$1`, `$2`, etc. for tab stops
- `${1:placeholder}` for default text
- `$0` for final cursor position
## ๐ฎ Commands
- **QuickChars: Toggle QuickChars in Activity Bar** - Show/hide the Activity Bar panel
- **QuickChars: Toggle QuickChars in Explorer** - Show/hide the Explorer panel
## ๐ก Tips
- ๐พ Groups remember their expanded/collapsed state - your preferred layout persists between sessions
- ๐ Use `isSnippet: true` for multi-line code templates that need full-width buttons
- ๐ฒ Regular characters work best as square buttons without the `isSnippet` property
- ๐ You can completely replace the default configuration with your own groups
- ๐ The first group is expanded by default, others start collapsed
## ๐ Requirements
- Visual Studio Code 1.102.0 or higher
## โก Extension Settings
This extension contributes the following settings:
* `quickChars.showInfoBanner`: Enable/disable the configuration tips banner
* `quickChars.showInActivityBar`: Show/hide QuickChars in Activity Bar
* `quickChars.showInExplorer`: Show/hide QuickChars in Explorer
* `quickChars.groups`: Define your custom groups and items
## ๐ License
This extension is provided as-is without warranty. Feel free to modify and distribute according to your needs.