Insert consistent file headers with one command. Language-aware, configurable, and ready for real project templates.

Saturno FancyHeader is a VS Code extension that inserts structured file headers using the active language comment syntax plus file, project, date, and author metadata. It gives source files a clean, repeatable header without hand-written boilerplate.

Maintained by Saturno.Software.

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Quick Start

Install from VSIX

code --install-extension saturno-fancy-header-1.1.2.vsix

Use

1. Open a file in VS Code
2. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P)
3. Run Saturno: Add Header

Optional template commands:

• Saturno: New Header Template
• Saturno: Edit Header Templates

Default output:

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//   File      : example.ts
//   Project   : my-project
//   Date      : 2026-05-31
//   Copyright : 2026
//   Copyright : Mateus <mateus@example.com>
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Features

• Language-Aware -- Uses the active VS Code language comment syntax automatically
• Metadata-Driven -- Inserts file name, project name, date, and author information
• Template-Based -- Supports inline template lines, external template files, and named template pickers
• Command Palette Friendly -- Create, edit, and apply templates without leaving the editor
• Cross-Platform -- Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux with platform-correct template paths
• Zero Config -- Works out of the box with sensible defaults

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Installation

From GitHub Release

Download the latest .vsix from Releases, then install it:

code --install-extension saturno-fancy-header-1.1.2.vsix

From Source

git clone https://github.com/SaturnoSoftware/vscode-fancy-header
cd vscode-fancy-header
git submodule update --init --recursive
npm install
npm run package
code --install-extension __DIST/*.vsix

Requirements

• VS Code ^1.88.0

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Configuration

All settings are available in the VS Code Settings UI under Saturno FancyHeader, or in settings.json.

Minimal template-file setup:

{
  "saturno-fancy-header.templateFile": "${workspaceFolder}/_header-template.txt"
}

If templateFile is set, FancyHeader reads the template body from that file and does not require templateLines to be configured as well.

Advanced overrides (optional):

{
  "saturno-fancy-header.lineWidth": 80,
  "saturno-fancy-header.fillChar": "-",
  "saturno-fancy-header.templateFile": "${workspaceFolder}/_header-template.txt",
  "saturno-fancy-header.authorName": "",
  "saturno-fancy-header.authorEmail": "",
  "saturno-fancy-header.templateLines": [
    "  File      : FILENAME",
    "  Project   : PROJECT",
    "  Date      : DATE",
    "  Copyright : YEAR",
    "  Copyright : USER_NAME <USER_EMAIL>"
  ]
}

Setting	Default	Description
lineWidth	80	Total width of generated header lines
fillChar	"-"	Border fill character
templateFile	""	Optional external template file
templates	[]	Optional named template files shown in a picker
authorName	""	Optional author name override
authorEmail	""	Optional author email override
templateLines	default list	Inline template body with placeholders

Supported placeholders:

• FILENAME
• PROJECT
• DATE
• YEAR
• USER_NAME
• USER_EMAIL

Template File Example

Create _header-template.txt:

  File      : ${FILENAME}
  Project   : ${PROJECT}
  Date      : ${DATE}
  Author    : ${USER_NAME} <${USER_EMAIL}>

Then point templateFile to it.

FancyHeader also auto-discovers template files named _header-*.txt in the same template directory and in the default user template folder, so if you add a new file there it is picked up automatically in the template picker.

If you define templates, FancyHeader merges those named entries with the discovered files and opens a Quick Pick when more than one template is available.

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Commands

Command	Title	Description
saturno-fancy-header.addHeader	Saturno: Add Header	Insert a header with the active template and language comment syntax
saturno-fancy-header.newTemplate	Saturno: New Header Template	Create a new template file, register it, and open it
saturno-fancy-header.editTemplates	Saturno: Edit Header Templates	Pick and open an existing template file

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How It Works

FancyHeader reads VS Code language configuration to determine the correct line comment syntax for the active document, then fills the selected template with:

• current file name
• workspace or project name
• current date and year
• author name and email from settings, Git config, or local user information

Template selection follows this order:

1. named template chosen from templates
2. external file from templateFile
3. inline templateLines

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Local Development

git submodule update --init --recursive
npm install
npm test
npm run build
npm run package

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Contributing

Contributions welcome! Please:

• follow existing code style
• add tests for new features
• submit pull requests against main

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License

GPL-3.0 -- See LICENSE.txt for details.

Maintained by Saturno.Software.

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FAQ

Q: Does it work with different programming languages?
A: Yes. FancyHeader uses the active VS Code language comment syntax, so it works anywhere VS Code exposes a line-comment style.

Q: Can I use my own header template file?
A: Yes. Set saturno-fancy-header.templateFile to a text file, or configure multiple named templates with saturno-fancy-header.templates.

Q: Where do author name and email come from?
A: From the extension settings first, then Git config when available, then local user information as a fallback.

Q: How do I install without a marketplace listing?
A: Download or build the .vsix, then run code --install-extension path-to-file.vsix.

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Links

• GitHub Repository
• GitHub Releases
• Issues
• Saturno.Software

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Made with <3 by Saturno.Software