What are some examples of External Tools configurations?

  • Open file in Internet Explorer
    Command C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
    Arguments $(Path)
    Initial Directory $(Dir)
    Icon Path C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
    Check Save File
  • Open File Explorer
    Command %WinDir%\explorer.exe
    Arguments $(Dir)
    Initial Directory $(Dir)
    Icon Path %WinDir%\explorer.exe
  • Open Command Prompt
    Command %WinDir%\system32\cmd.exe
    Arguments $(Dir)
    Initial Directory $(Dir)
    Icon Path %WinDir%\system32\cmd.exe
  • Compile with Visual C++
    Command %WinDir%\system32\cmd.exe
    Arguments /k "C:\Program Files\Visual Studio\Vc7\bin\vcvars32.bat"&&cl $(Path)
    Initial Directory $(Dir)
    Icon Path C:\Program Files\Visual Studio\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe
    Check Save File
  • Run current file as a program
    Command $(Path)
    Initial Directory $(Dir)
    Check Save File
  • Search Google for a word at cursor or a selected text.
    Command http://google.com/search?q=$(CurText)

These are some of the predefined arguments for the Command, Arguments, Initial Directory, and Icon Path fields.

$(Path) The full path name of the file.
$(Dir) The directory name of the file.
$(Filename) The file name without its extension.
$(Ext) The file name extension.
$(CurLine) The logical line number of the cursor.
$(CurText) The selected text if selected, or the word at the cursor if not selected.

You can find more by clicking on the “>” button.

You can also specify environment variables, such as %WinDir%.