In this blog, we will explore the most useful commands and shortcuts in Visual Studio Code for working with AL extensions in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. We will include sections on project management, productivity, debugging, useful extensions, and best practices.
AL project management
AL: Go!
Creates a new AL project from scratch.
AL: Download Symbols
Downloads the symbols from the Business Central server so you can reference standard objects.
AL: Publish
Publishes the extension to the development environment (sandbox or local container).
AL: Package
Packages your extension into a `.app` file.
AL: Sign Package
Digitally signs your extension for distribution.
Productivity and navigation
Ctrl + Shift + P
Opens the command palette to search for any AL or VS Code command.
Ctrl + P
Quickly accesses any file in the project.
F12
Go to the definition of an object or function.
Ctrl + Click
Also takes you to the definition of a symbol.
Ctrl + Shift + O
Displays the outline of the current file (useful for navigating between functions and objects).
Debugging and testing
F5
Starts debugging and publishes the extension to the test environment.
Ctrl + Shift + D
Opens the debugging view.
AL: Generate Report Layout
Generates a report layout for `Report` objects.
Useful extensions for working with AL
Specific extensions for AL and Business Central
AL Language (Microsoft)
Essential for developing in AL.
Provides syntax, compilation, publishing, and debugging for extensions.
AZ AL Dev Tools / AL Code Outline
Automatic generation of AL code (pages, tables, extensions).
Fast navigation through objects and events.
Refactoring and code analysis.
AL Object Designer
Visually displays and edits AL objects.
Allows searching, filtering, and opening objects without leaving VS Code.
AL Test Runner
Runs automated AL tests.
Ideal for environments with unit tests and continuous validation.
General extensions that improve the workflow
GitLens
Displays the change history and authors of each line of code.
Very useful for teams collaborating on AL extensions.
Bookmarks
Marks key lines in your code to return to them quickly.
Better Comments
Improves comment readability with colors and tags like TODO, FIXME, NOTE.
REST Client
Tests API endpoints directly from VS Code.
Useful for Business Central integrations with external services.
Extensions for remote work and collaboration
Remote – SSH
Connect to remote development environments (such as Docker containers or Linux servers).
Live Share
Share your VS Code session with other developers in real time.
Best practices for AL developers
Keep your code clean and organized: Use comments and follow naming conventions.
Use events and subscribers: Extend functionality without modifying standard code.
Test your code: Use debugging and unit tests to ensure quality.
Document your work: Maintain good documentation to facilitate maintenance and collaboration.
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- Experience: We have extensive experience in the industry.
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Would you like to know more about how we can help you? Feel free to get in contact with us.
We are here to answer all your questions and provide you with the best solution for your business.