vscode insert date time each new line?

Question

I would like to (ab)use vscode as a tool for some specific live-logging. For this purpose I would like to have it insert the current date, time at the beginning of each line. I did look here: How to insert current date time in vscode? but it only goes half-way there. I have only recently moved from Atom to VScode and am a bit daunted by trying to do this from first principles - any pointers would be most welcome!

As a bonus: if this function could be created so that it only takes place in files which have been saved with a specific file extension, that would be even more awesome! Otherwise I need to turn on/off this feature every time I use VScode for something else...

Answer 1

Using a macro extension like multi-command put this into your settings:

"multiCommand.commands": [

  {
    "command": "multiCommand.insertTimeonNewline",

    "sequence": [
      "editor.action.insertLineAfter",        
      {
        "command": "editor.action.insertSnippet",
        "args": {
          "snippet": "$CURRENT_HOUR:$CURRENT_MINUTE:$CURRENT_SECOND  "
        }
      },
    ]  
  }
]

And this into keybindings.json:

{
  "key": "enter",
  "command": "extension.multiCommand.execute",
  "args": { "command": "multiCommand.insertTimeonNewline" },
  "when": "editorTextFocus && resourceExtname =~ /\\.php/"
},

Change that extension at the end of the when clause to whatever extension you need to use.

Now Eenter will enter a new line and put the time at the beginning of it. You should modify the time variables if you want year, month, etc.