VSCode :: How can I duplicate directories and files from within the file explorer?

Ideally, I would right-click on the folder/directory or file I want to duplicate, choose "Duplicate" and, hopefully, would be asked in the same step to give the new duplicated file or directory a new name.

Looking at the current options, I couldn't find a way to do this on latest VSCode 1.19.1 (macOS):

Am I missing something? Is there other way to do this?

The more I use VSCode, the more I get used to it and, lately, I found myself barely needing to use the terminal provided in the Panel, or switching to a terminal app, for simple stuff like this.

To duplicate a file within a folder.

On the explorer pane:

• right click on the file,
• press copy
• now right click on the folder, and
• press paste
• the file will be duplicated into the same folder with "...-1" or " copy" appended to the file name

Marketplace extension File Utils:

The "Duplicate action" extension will allow you to right click and choose duplicate as you described.

A somewhat old issue now but as I try to avoid installing too many extensions this may be helpful to others wanting to avoid the same. Also, as there's a strong chance this is a context in which you're using a mouse/trackpad (as opposed to keyboard), the normally fantastic 'do everything' quick menu thing (or whatever Shift + CMD + P is called) is probably not a great solution...

1. Hold down Alt. (Note: You can actually do this during step 2 if preferred).
2. Drag the file onto the folder it is already in (during drag the cursor will have a green plus icon).
3. Release the file where you want it to be (doesn't actually have to be the same folder).
4. The file will be duplicated with the filename {original-filename} copy.{original-extension}.
5. Click on the file again.
6. Hit enter/return to edit the filename.

All the above sounds much more onerous than it really is. I find it quicker than right-clicking and momentarily finding/navigating to a menu option, especially if that menu option is not a native one.

How about the good old CTRL+C and CTRL+V?

I just tried. If you click on a file then press CTRL+C, and then CTRL+V then you get a duplicate of the file named [original name] copy.[ext]

It's a mystery, though, why the duplicate file option is still not on the right-click menu after so many years.

A little warning: doing this will remove the content of the clipboard. So if you are in the middle of a copy-paste cycle, then make sure to save the clipboard content somewhere. Yes, it's inconvenient, but until MS decides to put in this basic action in the context menu (right-click) we need to deal with it.

CTRL+C CTRL+V F2 type new name ENTER opens in editor

Similar to above but with an extra couple of things

Another solution, since VS Code still does not allow this in 2022:

Install the multi-command package. Then, in your keybindings.json add the following:

    {
        "key": "cmd+d",
        "command": "extension.multiCommand.execute",
        "args": {
            "sequence": [
                "filesExplorer.copy",
                "filesExplorer.paste"
            ]
        },
        "when": "explorerViewletVisible && filesExplorerFocus && !explorerResourceIsRoot && !inputFocus"
    }

Afterwards, you can press CMD + D to duplicate a file or folder.

You may want to add "renameFile" into the sequence to directly rename the duplicate. Of course, this works just as well with ctrl instead of cmd.