How to: Add a Reference to a VSIX Package

If your extension depends on other extensions (dependencies), you can deploy a VSIX package that installs any dependencies that are not already present on the target computer, and then installs your extension. To accomplish this, include the VSIX packages for the dependencies as references in the VSIX package for your extension.

Adding References in Manifest Designer

When you double-click source.extension.vsixmanifest in Solution Explorer, the file opens in Manifest Designer. You can then add a reference to an installed extension or to any .vsix file on the computer.

To add an installed extension as a reference

1. In Manifest Designer, click the Add Reference button.

2. In the Add VSIX Reference dialog box, click Select Installed Extension and select an extension on the list. Click OK.

3. Build the solution.

   Visual Studio creates a VSIX package that includes the reference.

To add a VSIX package as a reference

1. In Manifest Designer, click the Add Reference button.

2. In the Add VSIX Reference dialog box, click Add payload to VSIX and then type the path of the .vsix file that contains the extension to be referenced. Click OK.

3. Build the solution.

   Visual Studio creates a VSIX package that includes the reference.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Prepare Extensions for Windows Installer Deployment

Other Resources

VSIX Extension Schema Reference

Anatomy of a VSIX Package