Feature request: Rename extension

[ElecTreeFrying]

VS Code: v1.43.0

Feature request: Rename extension.

I want to rename my extension completely without losing downloads/install data.

Though it is possible to rename the extension in marketplace by updating displayName in package.json without losing downloads.

Changing the unique identifier or the name key in package.json does.

publisher_name.unique_identifier

Expected: Rename unique_identifier without losing downloads/install data.

https://github.com/Microsoft/vscode/issues/25988#issuecomment-304358692

Hi sorry I just saw this

The ID for an extension is publishername.extensionname all meta data hangs off this e.g. downloads, ratings. This is also used for install/updates.

In this case I actually think most users would expect this to be a new extension i.e. it's pretty different from Material.

So I think publishing with a new ID would make the most sense - otherwise users will get updated and not understand that this is actually a different theme.

We don't have support for renaming today - so choosing a new name is typically something people only do in the display name or again they are forced to re-publish :(

Sean

I was told here updating name key in package.json will lose all my downloads and install data

https://github.com/Binaryify/OneDark-Pro/issues/54#issuecomment-599565246

@Binaryify have you tried updating"name" in package.json to "one-dark-pro"? I also wanted to rename my extension. I resolved into what you did I renamed the "displayName".

@ElecTreeFrying that will lose download and install data

[prashantvc]

publisher_name.unique_identifier is the unique identifier for an extension. Updating it is not a common scenario on the Marketplace.

You can contact the Marketplace support to update identifier or transfer the extension to different publisher without loosing download counts

[ElecTreeFrying]

Yes, for now the best option is to contact Marketplace support regarding this.

Another reason why I think this feature is very helpful in VS Code, is because, in atom, publishers can rename their package by this script apm publish --rename new-package-name.

I hope they consider this feature in VS Code for extension publishers.

[isidorn]

No action items here, recommendation is to contact Marketplace support for this.

[TanyaScales]

For anyone that happens upon this thread -- the renaming of the extension identifier is no longer supported by the Marketplace. The renaming operation was breaking existing extension users and creating complications in the backend. I was able to verify this recently with Marketplace support.