This guide helps users understand and manage Explorer Dates settings across different versions, with emphasis on automatic migration and proper configuration. The previous standalone settings migration guide has been folded into this document—this is now the single source for migration steps and setting rename details.
Explorer Dates v1.3.0 introduced a module federation system that remains the base for v1.3.1:
- Base bundle reduced from 267KB to ~99KB core + 281KB optional chunks
- Feature gating - disable unused features to save up to 36% bundle size
- Dynamic loading - features load only when needed
- Cross-platform optimization - dedicated Node.js and web bundles
New collaborative features for development teams:
- Team configuration profiles - share standardized settings
- Conflict resolution - intelligent merging of team vs user preferences
- Export/Import - JSON-based configuration sharing with validation
- Real-time sync - file watching for team configuration updates
- 40+ comprehensive test suites covering all extension aspects
- Graceful degradation when chunks fail to load
- Memory optimization retained from v1.2.5 with additional improvements
- Advanced diagnostics for configuration and performance troubleshooting
- VS Code 1.105.0+ (up from 1.90.0)
- Node.js compatibility maintained for all supported VS Code versions
- Web compatibility enhanced with dedicated browser bundle
The following settings are automatically migrated:
// v1.2.x → v1.3.0 automatic migrations
{
"explorerDates.enableReporting": true, // → enableExportReporting
"explorerDates.customColors": {...}, // → workbench.colorCustomizations
"explorerDates.enableApi": true // → enableExtensionApi
}{
"explorerDates.enableOnboardingSystem": true, // Welcome flows (~34KB)
"explorerDates.enableExportReporting": true, // Reports & analytics (~17KB)
"explorerDates.enableWorkspaceTemplates": true, // Templates & team config (~14KB)
"explorerDates.enableExtensionApi": true, // Third-party integration (~15KB)
"explorerDates.enableAdvancedCache": true, // Cache optimizations (~5KB)
"explorerDates.enableAnalysisCommands": true, // Diagnostics (~8KB)
"explorerDates.enableWorkspaceIntelligence": true, // Smart features (~12KB)
"explorerDates.enableIncrementalWorkers": false // Background workers (~19KB)
}- Feature flags: Disable features you do not need to save memory/startup. Defaults above; turning flags off removes the corresponding chunks.
- Progressive analysis:
explorerDates.enableProgressiveAnalysissupportsnull(auto, default),true(force enable),false(force disable). Auto enables for very large workspaces. - Performance profiles: Defaults are tuned for most users. Only change if you have specific needs:
{ "explorerDates.featureLevel": "auto", // Adaptive optimization "explorerDates.smartFileWatching": true, // Intelligent file watching "explorerDates.maxTrackedActivityFiles": 3000, // Memory guardrail "explorerDates.smartExclusions": true // Enhanced exclusion logic } - Custom colors: Use
workbench.colorCustomizations(legacycustomColorsis deprecated). Command:Explorer Dates: Apply Custom Colors. - Reporting: Legacy
enableReportingfalls back toenableExportReportingautomatically but is marked deprecated.
Ensure you have VS Code 1.105.0 or later:
- Go to
Help→About(orCode→Abouton Mac) - Check version number
- Update if needed:
Help→Check for Updates
After upgrading, review which features you need:
- Open Command Palette (
Ctrl+Shift+P) - Run
Explorer Dates: Show Chunk Status - Disable unused features to optimize bundle size
If working in a team environment:
- Run
Explorer Dates: Open Template Managerto manage shared templates/profiles - Run
Explorer Dates: Validate Team Configurationto align with the v1.3 schema - Export/import team profiles via the Template Manager (or
Save/Load Templatecommands)
To minimize extension size:
- Run
Explorer Dates: Optimize Bundle Size - Review recommendations and disable unused features
- Consider your specific use case:
- Minimal setup: Disable onboarding + reporting + templates
- Team setup: Keep templates enabled, disable onboarding
- Development setup: Keep analysis commands, disable reporting
- Install Explorer Dates from the VS Code marketplace
- Run the setup wizard: Press
Ctrl+Shift+Pand runExplorer Dates: Show Quick Setup Wizard - Choose a preset:
- Minimal: Basic time badges only
- Developer: Git info + file sizes + color coding
- Accessible: High contrast + screen reader support
- Open the Explorer panel in VS Code
- You should see time badges (e.g.,
5m,2h) next to files - Hover over files to see detailed tooltips
- Press
Ctrl+,to open Settings - Search for "Explorer Dates"
- Adjust colors, formats, and features as needed
Explorer Dates v1.3.0 requires VS Code 1.105.0 or later.
To check your VS Code version:
- Go to
Help→About(orCode→Abouton Mac) - Look for the version number
- Update VS Code if needed:
Help→Check for Updates
Note: Teams using older VS Code builds will need to update before installing Explorer Dates v1.3.0.
Explorer Dates automatically handles these migrations when you update:
enableReporting→enableExportReportingenableApi→enableExtensionApicustomColors→workbench.colorCustomizations- Invalid configuration values are corrected automatically
- Deprecated settings are marked for removal (with user permission)
- New v1.3.0 feature flags are set to enabled by default
- Existing configurations are preserved and validated
- Invalid values are corrected with notifications
- Missing required settings are added with sensible defaults
- Extension analyzes your actual feature usage
- Suggests which features can be safely disabled
- Provides bundle size impact estimates
- Offers one-click optimization for common scenarios
- Automatically detects existing team configuration files
- Migrates legacy team templates to new format
- Validates team configurations for v1.3.0 compatibility
- Resolves conflicts between user and team settings
Extension Startup
│
├─ Detect v1.3.0 first run
│
├─ Load existing configuration
│
├─ Run automatic migrations
│ ├─ Rename legacy settings
│ ├─ Validate setting values
│ ├─ Initialize new feature flags
│ └─ Update workspace templates
│
├─ Show migration notifications
│ ├─ "Settings updated for compatibility"
│ ├─ "Bundle optimization available"
│ └─ "Team configuration detected"
│
└─ Complete initialization
When settings are migrated, you'll see notifications like:
✅ Explorer Dates updated 3 setting(s) for v1.3.0 compatibility. Your configuration has been preserved.
[View Changes] [Open Settings] [Dismiss]
📦 Bundle size can be reduced by 34%. Consider disabling unused features.
[Optimize Now] [Show Details] [Later]
👥 Team configuration found. Apply team settings or keep current configuration?
[Apply Team Settings] [Keep Current] [View Conflicts]
If you need to re-run migration processes:
Explorer Dates: Migrate Settings- Re-run automatic migrationExplorer Dates: Validate Configuration- Check for configuration issuesExplorer Dates: Clean Legacy Settings- Remove deprecated settingsExplorer Dates: Show Migration History- View what was migrated
- Open Settings, search for "Explorer Dates", and clear any deprecated items (yellow warning icons).
- Run
Explorer Dates: Migrate Settingsonce. - Review feature flags and disable unused chunks to reduce bundle size.
- If you used custom colors, run
Explorer Dates: Apply Custom Colorsto copy them intoworkbench.colorCustomizations.
- Enable new capabilities you want:
- Git info:
"explorerDates.showGitInfo": "author" - File sizes:
"explorerDates.showFileSize": true - Smart caching:
"explorerDates.persistentCache": true
- If performance lags, try
"explorerDates.featureLevel": "enhanced"and keepsmartFileWatchingon. - Run
Explorer Dates: Validate Configurationto catch invalid or legacy values.
Team Configuration allows development teams to share standardized Explorer Dates configurations while preserving individual user preferences.
- Centralized configuration management
- JSON-based export/import with validation
- Version tracking and change history
- Conflict resolution when team settings clash with user preferences
Team Lead creates profile → Export to JSON → Team imports → Conflicts resolved → Standardized setup
- Configure optimal settings for your team's workflow
- Create team profile:
Ctrl+Shift+P → "Explorer Dates: Save Team Profile" - Export configuration:
Ctrl+Shift+P → "Explorer Dates: Export Team Configuration" - Share the JSON file with your team (via Git, shared drive, etc.)
- Receive team configuration JSON file from team lead
- Import team profile:
Ctrl+Shift+P → "Explorer Dates: Import Team Configuration" - Resolve any conflicts between team and personal settings
- Apply team configuration with selected merge strategy
When team configurations conflict with user settings:
- Team Wins: Use team settings, backup user settings
- User Wins: Keep user settings, ignore conflicting team settings
- Merge: Combine settings where possible, prompt for conflicts
- Preview: Show differences before applying changes
Conflict Detected: "colorScheme"
User Setting: "recency"
Team Setting: "file-type"
Recommendation: Use team setting for consistency
[ Use Team ] [ Keep User ] [ Preview Changes ]
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
Explorer Dates: Create Team Profile |
Create new team configuration |
Explorer Dates: Edit Team Profile |
Modify existing team profile |
Explorer Dates: Export Team Configuration |
Export profile to JSON file |
Explorer Dates: Import Team Configuration |
Import profile from JSON file |
Explorer Dates: Validate Team Configuration |
Check configuration for issues |
Explorer Dates: Apply Team Configuration |
Apply team settings to current workspace |
Explorer Dates: Show Team Configuration Conflicts |
View conflicts between team and user settings |
Explorer Dates: Reset to Team Configuration |
Revert to original team settings |
Explorer Dates: Organize Settings |
Move Explorer Dates settings to the correct scope and tidy Explorer Dates workspace files (runs automatically when drift is detected) |
Automatic Housekeeping
v1.3.0+ automatically runs the organizer during activation/migrations whenever it finds Explorer Dates keys stored at the wrong scope or out-of-order.vscode/explorer-dates-*.jsonfiles. UseExplorer Dates: Organize Settingsornpm run format:settingsif you need to run it manually (for example, after importing an older project or when automation is disabled).
Team configuration files use this JSON structure:
{
"version": "1.3.0",
"createdAt": "2026-01-03T23:00:00.000Z",
"defaultProfile": "development-team",
"profiles": {
"development-team": {
"name": "Development Team Standard",
"description": "Standard configuration for development team",
"settings": {
"explorerDates.showDateDecorations": true,
"explorerDates.colorScheme": "recency",
"explorerDates.showFileSize": true,
"explorerDates.showGitInfo": "author",
"explorerDates.enableOnboardingSystem": false,
"explorerDates.enableExportReporting": true
},
"conflicts": {
"strategy": "merge",
"allowUserOverrides": ["colorScheme", "showFileSize"]
}
}
},
"metadata": {
"teamName": "Development Team",
"author": "team-lead@company.com",
"bundleSizeOptimization": true,
"targetWorkspaceSize": "medium"
}
}- Start with minimal configuration, add features as needed
- Allow user overrides for personal preferences (colors, formats)
- Disable unused features to optimize bundle size
- Document the reasoning behind team configuration choices
- Regular review and updates of team configurations
- Communicate with team leads before making significant changes
- Use user overrides for personal preferences
- Test team configurations in development environments first
- Provide feedback to team leads about configuration effectiveness
Minimal Team Configuration:
{
"explorerDates.showDateDecorations": true,
"explorerDates.enableOnboardingSystem": false,
"explorerDates.enableExportReporting": false,
"explorerDates.enableWorkspaceTemplates": false
}Full-Feature Team Configuration:
{
"explorerDates.showDateDecorations": true,
"explorerDates.colorScheme": "recency",
"explorerDates.showFileSize": true,
"explorerDates.showGitInfo": "author",
"explorerDates.enableContextMenu": true,
"explorerDates.enableAdvancedCache": true
}Explorer Dates includes several configuration templates:
{
"explorerDates.showDateDecorations": true,
"explorerDates.dateDecorationFormat": "relative-short",
"explorerDates.colorScheme": "none",
"explorerDates.showFileSize": false,
"explorerDates.showGitInfo": "none",
"explorerDates.enableContextMenu": false
}{
"explorerDates.showDateDecorations": true,
"explorerDates.dateDecorationFormat": "smart",
"explorerDates.colorScheme": "recency",
"explorerDates.showFileSize": true,
"explorerDates.showGitInfo": "author",
"explorerDates.enableContextMenu": true,
"explorerDates.showStatusBar": true
}{
"explorerDates.showDateDecorations": true,
"explorerDates.dateDecorationFormat": "smart",
"explorerDates.colorScheme": "recency",
"explorerDates.showFileSize": true,
"explorerDates.showGitInfo": "author",
"explorerDates.enableExportReporting": true,
"explorerDates.smartExclusions": true,
"explorerDates.persistentCache": true
}Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Save Template
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Load Template
- Set
explorerDates.templateSyncPathto a shared location - Save template to that path
- Team members can load the shared template
Control which features are loaded to optimize performance:
{
"explorerDates.enableOnboardingSystem": true, // ~34KB chunk
"explorerDates.enableExportReporting": true, // ~17KB chunk
"explorerDates.enableAnalysisCommands": true, // ~8KB chunk
"explorerDates.enableAdvancedCache": true, // ~5KB chunk
"explorerDates.enableWorkspaceIntelligence": true, // ~12KB chunk
"explorerDates.enableWorkspaceTemplates": true, // ~14KB chunk
"explorerDates.enableExtensionApi": true, // ~15KB chunk
"explorerDates.enableProgressiveAnalysis": null // Auto-detect WASM indexing
}Important for teams upgrading from v1.2.x:
- Workspace Templates (
enableWorkspaceTemplates): If disabled, you lose the ability to save/load configuration presets and team synchronization - Extension API (
enableExtensionApi): If disabled, other extensions cannot integrate with Explorer Dates (affects compatibility) - Progressive Analysis (
enableProgressiveAnalysis): New setting that auto-enables WASM indexing for large workspaces
Disable unused features to reduce memory usage and startup time.
The enableProgressiveAnalysis setting controls WASM-accelerated file indexing:
{
"explorerDates.enableProgressiveAnalysis": null // Default: auto-detect
}Behavior:
null(default): Automatically enables for workspaces with >10,000 filestrue: Force-enable progressive analysis (uses more memory but faster indexing)false: Disable progressive analysis (lower memory usage, slower for large repos)
When to configure manually:
- Force enable (
true): Large repositories where you want maximum performance - Force disable (
false): Memory-constrained environments or small workspaces - Auto-detect (
null): Let Explorer Dates decide based on workspace size (recommended)
When upgrading from v1.2.x to v1.3.x, be aware of these feature dependencies:
If you disable enableWorkspaceTemplates:
- ❌ Cannot save/load configuration templates
- ❌ No team configuration synchronization
- ❌ Commands like
Save TemplateandLoad Templatebecome unavailable - ✅ Saves ~14KB of bundle size
If you disable enableExtensionApi:
- ❌ Other extensions cannot integrate with Explorer Dates
- ❌ No programmatic access to file date information
- ❌ Third-party tools cannot extend functionality
- ✅ Saves ~15KB of bundle size
Recommendation: Keep both enabled unless your team specifically doesn't use templates or extension integrations.
Run this command to check for issues:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Validate Configuration
Common issues detected:
- Invalid enum values (wrong format types)
- Out-of-range numbers (cache sizes, timeouts)
- Conflicting settings
- Deprecated settings
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Migrate Settings
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Clean Legacy Settings
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Reset to Defaults
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Export Configuration
Choose to copy to clipboard or save to file.
- Get configuration JSON from your team
- Open VS Code Settings (JSON)
- Merge the settings into your configuration
New users see the onboarding flow automatically:
- Welcome Message with setup options
- Show Quick Setup Wizard for common configurations
- Feature Tour explaining key capabilities
When updating versions, users see:
- What's New panel highlighting new features
- Migration History showing what changed
- Gentle notifications for minor updates
To disable the welcome message:
{
"explorerDates.showWelcomeOnStartup": false
}To disable the entire onboarding system:
{
"explorerDates.enableOnboardingSystem": false
}For workspaces with 1000+ files:
{
"explorerDates.featureLevel": "enhanced",
"explorerDates.smartFileWatching": true,
"explorerDates.maxTrackedActivityFiles": 1000,
"explorerDates.excludedPatterns": [
"**/node_modules/**",
"**/build/**",
"**/dist/**",
"**/.next/**",
"**/target/**"
]
}For maximum performance (disables most features):
{
"explorerDates.performanceMode": true
}For memory-constrained environments:
export EXPLORER_DATES_MEMORY_SHEDDING=1
export EXPLORER_DATES_LIGHTWEIGHT_MODE=1Personal preferences that don't affect functionality:
{
"explorerDates.colorScheme": "recency",
"explorerDates.accessibilityMode": false,
"explorerDates.showWelcomeOnStartup": false
}Project-specific configuration:
{
"explorerDates.showDateDecorations": true,
"explorerDates.dateDecorationFormat": "smart",
"explorerDates.showGitInfo": "author",
"explorerDates.excludedPatterns": [
"**/node_modules/**",
"**/build/**",
"**/coverage/**"
]
}💡 Smart Exclusions Storage: Auto-detected exclusion folders now live in
.vscode/explorer-dates-exclusions.json. This workspace-local file (and any otherexplorer-dates-*.jsonyou opt into) is automatically kept alphabetized so it can be safely committed for team-wide consistency.
-
Create team template:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Save Template Template Name: "Team Standard" -
Set sync path in workspace settings:
{ "explorerDates.templateSyncPath": ".vscode/explorer-dates-templates/" } -
Commit template to version control:
git add .vscode/explorer-dates-templates/ git commit -m "Add Explorer Dates team configuration" -
Team members load template:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Load Template → Team Standard
- Reload window:
Developer: Reload Window - Check scope: User settings may override workspace settings
- Validate settings: Run
Explorer Dates: Validate Configuration - Reset if needed: Run
Explorer Dates: Reset to Defaults
-
Enable performance mode:
{ "explorerDates.performanceMode": true } -
Reduce feature level:
{ "explorerDates.featureLevel": "standard" } -
Check exclusions:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Analyze Excluded Files
-
Re-run migration:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Migrate Settings -
Check migration history:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Show Migration History -
Clean legacy settings:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Clean Legacy Settings
-
Set color scheme to custom:
{ "explorerDates.colorScheme": "custom" } -
Define custom colors:
{ "workbench.colorCustomizations": { "explorerDates.customColor.veryRecent": "#00ff00", "explorerDates.customColor.recent": "#ffaa00", "explorerDates.customColor.old": "#888888" } } -
Or use the helper command:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Apply Custom Colors
For CI/CD or containerized environments:
# Enable performance mode
export EXPLORER_DATES_PERFORMANCE_MODE=1
# Disable Git features (for environments without Git)
export EXPLORER_DATES_DISABLE_GIT_FEATURES=1
# Enable memory management
export EXPLORER_DATES_MEMORY_SHEDDING=1
export EXPLORER_DATES_LIGHTWEIGHT_MODE=1Each workspace root can have different settings:
{
"folders": [
{ "path": "./frontend" },
{ "path": "./backend" }
],
"settings": {
"explorerDates.excludedPatterns": [
"**/node_modules/**",
"**/target/**"
]
}
}- Run
Explorer Dates: Validate Configuration - Update or remove deprecated settings (see automatic migrations above)
- Re-run
Explorer Dates: Migrate Settingsif values were edited manually - Review feature flags and disable unused features for bundle/memory savings
- (If used) Apply or re-run custom colors via
Explorer Dates: Apply Custom Colors - Confirm performance is acceptable (featureLevel/performanceMode/exclusions)
- Save a working configuration as a template for your team/workspace
-
Run diagnostics:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Run Diagnostics -
Check logs:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Open Logs -
View current config:
Command Palette → Explorer Dates: Show Current Configuration
- Settings Reference:
DOCS/SETTINGS_GUIDE.md - Troubleshooting:
DOCS/TROUBLESHOOTING.md - Upgrade Guide (this doc):
DOCS/UPGRADE_GUIDE.md - Architecture:
DOCS/ARCHITECTURE.md
- GitHub Repository: https://github.com/incredincomp/explorer-dates
- Issue Tracker: https://github.com/incredincomp/explorer-dates/issues
- Feature Requests: Use GitHub Issues with "enhancement" label
- ✅ Automatic settings migration
- ✅ Enhanced onboarding system
- ✅ Feature flag system for bundle optimization
- ✅ Web/browser bundle support
- ✅ Improved memory management
- ✅ Progressive analysis with WASM-accelerated indexing
⚠️ Requires VS Code 1.105.0+
- ✅ Configuration validation
- ✅ Workspace templates system
- ✅ Progressive loading
⚠️ DeprecatedenableReporting→ useenableExportReporting
- ✅ Git integration
- ✅ Performance optimizations
⚠️ DeprecatedcustomColors→ useworkbench.colorCustomizations
Explorer Dates: Show Quick Setup Wizard- Initial configuration wizardExplorer Dates: Validate Configuration- Check for issuesExplorer Dates: Migrate Settings- Update deprecated settingsExplorer Dates: Export Configuration- Backup your settingsExplorer Dates: Reset to Defaults- Start fresh
explorerDates.showDateDecorations- Enable/disable the extensionexplorerDates.dateDecorationFormat- How dates appearexplorerDates.colorScheme- Visual color codingexplorerDates.performanceMode- Maximum performanceexplorerDates.excludedPatterns- What files to skip
Ctrl+Shift+R/Cmd+Shift+R- Refresh decorationsCtrl+Shift+H/Cmd+Shift+H- Run diagnosticsCtrl+Shift+I/Cmd+Shift+I- Show file detailsCtrl+Shift+A/Cmd+Shift+A- Show workspace activity