Gist extension for VS Code

Gist is a big part of my workflow. I’ve always been on the lookout for a desktop tool. Well, it turns out I was looking in the wrong place. A few days I discovered two VS Code extensions Gist and GitHub Gist Explorer. They both really great extensions and so far I’m really enjoying having Gist at my fingertips in VS Code.

vscode-gist-profiles
Gist
Screenshot
GitHub Gist Explorer

Once you have installed the extension you will need to grab yourself an access token for GitHub – you can get a personal access token by going to settings and then accessing Developer Settings. Make sure you just give the token access to Gists.

GitHub Gist Explorer seems to be my favourite so far. Having the explorer available in the side pain really helps and the command bar paste and save from clipboard features are really great!

How do I use Gist

The majority of my use if private where I have created secret Gists. I have a number of markdown Gists which I have named Gistsmarks which I use as bookmarks to jump to a collection of Gists like boilerplates for my blog articles.

Any code I share on my blog is shared as a Gist. This allows me to embed the code in the article with a nice editor and provides me with version control too. When I started using Gists I painstakingly went through all my posts and converted any previous code blocks into Gists. Oh, and when I reference code I use the highlighted line(s) URL which is a cool trick too.

Highlighting code in a Gist with the URL

I also use Gist to share code and snippets with friends and customers (when it is appropriate of course). I also have runbook like Gists to quickly reference which provide basic lines of PowerShell to perform tasks and run common commands against Microsoft Teams in Office 365 for example. I also have a markdown file for each of my demo environments where I hold information about different personas I have created, areas where I have built out certain functionality and a basic changelog.

While I’m on the topic of VS Code extensions I think I will write another post and share my favourites VS Code extensions.

Hopefully, you got the Gist of things! See what I did there….I’ll get my coat.

Little Morton Hall

Visited Little Morton Hall, another National Trust property this weekend. This is a very wonky Tudor property that has been left entirely in its original state. The great gallery has some claims to tennis. I have shared a few more photos that are available on 500px here.

National Trust: Little Morton Hall
National Trust: Little Morton Hall
A very wonky Tudor hall.

You can browse my published portfolio over at 500px. Be sure to share your feedback.

Rutting Deer @ Tatton Park

I recently visited Tatton Park in Knutsford where the deer were rutting. This is a beautiful park to walk and plenty to do for kids too! This was my first time photographing deer this close and they gave me plenty of opportunities. I have shared a few more photos that are available on 500px. This trip might just cause me to go an buy a new lens. A really big long new lens!

Deer rutting at Tatton Park, Knutsford
Deer rutting at Tatton Park, Knutsford
My favourites from Tatton Park
I did get a really big lens!

You can browse my published portfolio over at 500px. Be sure to share your feedback.

Granada, Spain and Gibraltar

A recent trip to Granada, Spain filled me with joy after an absolutely stunning guided tour around the Alhambra. I also found a little gem of a steak restaurant called Apo restaurante on Plaza de San Lázaro 15. The trip finished with a road trip over to Gibraltar and Seville. The views of Africa from the top of the Gibraltar rock where breathtaking. The guided tour also provided an opportunity to get close to photography the Barbary macaque monkeys. Seville has plenty of sights to take in with my favourites being the Cathedral of Saint Mary and the Plaza de España. I have shared a few more photos that are available on 500px.

Barbary macaque monkeys, Gibraltar

You can browse my published portfolio over at 500px. Be sure to share your feedback.

Rufford Old Hall

A beautiful day to visit this Rufford Old Hall, a National Trust property. The grounds are lovely to walk as is the canal which is only a few minutes away. I have shared a few more photos that are available on 500px.

National Trust: Rufford Old Hall
National Trust: Rufford Old Hall

You can browse my published portfolio over at 500px. Be sure to share your feedback.