userType: external

gitBranch: HEAD

type: user

role: user

type: text

text: <ide_opened_file>The user opened the file /var/www/mssql.danmarcrm.com/dev1/extension2/CLAUDE.md in the IDE. This may or may not be related to the current task.</ide_opened_file>

text: in visual studio, ssh explorer how can I see the files sorted better like winscp, with size, date modifled, clear folder/file with option to sort and filter?

permissionMode: default


type: message

role: assistant

service_tier: standard

type: assistant


type: thinking

thinking:
The user is asking about how to improve the file browsing experience in VS Code's SSH Explorer (Remote - SSH) to be more like WinSCP, with features like:
- File size column
- Date modified column
- Clear folder/file distinction
- Sorting options
- Filtering options

This is a VS Code configuration/extension question, not a coding task. Let me provide helpful guidance.


text:
VS Code's built-in SSH Explorer (Remote-SSH) is minimal compared to WinSCP — it doesn't show file size, date, or sorting options in the sidebar tree view. Here are your options:

## Option 1: Use the Explorer with Detail View

In VS Code's regular **Explorer** sidebar (once connected via Remote-SSH):
- Click the **...** menu at the top of the Explorer panel
- Toggle **Sort By** → choose `Modified`, `Type`, or `Name`
- This only sorts — no size/date columns though

## Option 2: Install "SFTP" or "SSH FS" Extensions

Extensions like **Natizyskunk's SFTP** or **SSH FS** give slightly better browsing but still no WinSCP-style columns.

## Option 3: Use the Built-in Terminal File Manager

Open the VS Code terminal (`` Ctrl+` ``) and use:

```bash
ls -lhS    # sort by size
ls -lht    # sort by date modified
```

Or install **Midnight Commander** for a WinSCP-like TUI:
```bash
sudo apt install mc
mc
```
This gives you a dual-pane file manager with size, date, sorting, filtering — right inside VS Code's terminal.

## Option 4: Keep WinSCP Open Alongside VS Code

Many developers do this — use WinSCP for browsing/sorting/bulk operations and VS Code for editing. You can configure WinSCP to open files directly in VS Code:

**WinSCP → Options → Preferences → Editors → Add → External Editor** → set it to `code --goto %file%:%line%`

## Option 5: Use VS Code Extension "File Explorer Enhanced"

Search the marketplace for **"Explorer Exclude"** or **"File Utils"** — some add filtering. But honestly, none replicate WinSCP's column view.

---

**Bottom line:** VS Code's file tree was never designed for WinSCP-style tabular browsing. The most practical approach is either **Midnight Commander in the terminal** for a full-featured file manager, or **keeping WinSCP open alongside VS Code** for browsing while using VS Code for editing.