vscode insert date time each new line? - date

Question

I would like to (ab)use vscode as a tool for some specific live-logging.
For this purpose I would like to have it insert the current date, time at the beginning of each line. I did look here: How to insert current date time in vscode? but it only goes half-way there. I have only recently moved from Atom to VScode and am a bit daunted by trying to do this from first principles - any pointers would be most welcome!
As a bonus: if this function could be created so that it only takes place in files which have been saved with a specific file extension, that would be even more awesome! Otherwise I need to turn on/off this feature every time I use VScode for something else...

Answer 1

Using a macro extension like multi-command put this into your settings:
"multiCommand.commands": [
{
"command": "multiCommand.insertTimeonNewline",
"sequence": [
"editor.action.insertLineAfter",
{
"command": "editor.action.insertSnippet",
"args": {
"snippet": "$CURRENT_HOUR:$CURRENT_MINUTE:$CURRENT_SECOND "
}
},
]
}
]
And this into keybindings.json:
{
"key": "enter",
"command": "extension.multiCommand.execute",
"args": { "command": "multiCommand.insertTimeonNewline" },
"when": "editorTextFocus && resourceExtname =~ /\\.php/"
},
Change that extension at the end of the when clause to whatever extension you need to use.
Now Eenter will enter a new line and put the time at the beginning of it. You should modify the time variables if you want year, month, etc.