VSCode open specific file on startup

Question

Is it currently possible to set a specific file to open on startup in VSCode? I have the 'To Do Tasks' extension installed and I want to open my TODO file by default each time I load VSCode.

Using Version 1.12.1

Answer 1

Edit: I think the best way is to use extensions that can run commands on startup. Example is: Auto Run Command

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You can either create some shortcut for command code "path/to/file.todo" or change link's options.

For example(windows):

link => properties => shortcut => target => "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe" "D:/howto.todo"

VSCode CLI documentation

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Another way is to Pin editors . With setting "workbench.editor.pinnedTabSizing": "compact", they take very little space.

Answer 2

Here's the solution:

Use an auto-run task:

1. Allow automatic tasks with this command: Tasks: Manage Automatic Tasks in Folder .
2. Set up a task in the folder:

{
    "version": "2.0.0",
    "tasks": [
        {
            "label": "Auto-open my-todo file.",
            "type": "shell",
            "command": "code my-todo.md",
            "runOptions": {
                "runOn": "folderOpen",
            },
            "presentation": {
                "echo": true,
                "reveal": "silent",
                "focus": false,
                "panel": "shared",
                "showReuseMessage": false,
                "clear": false,
            }
        }
    ]
}

The key is to set runOptions / runOn to "folderOpen".

More details here: How to run a command automatically in VS Code when you open a project