XcodeGeeDblA

An Xcode Source Editor Extension for macOS that provides convenient source code formatting and file header management tools for Swift, C, C++, and Objective-C files.

Features

Header Management

• Update File Header — Automatically updates the "Modified" date in file headers while preserving the "Created" date and intelligently handling copyright year ranges (e.g., 2024–2026)

Comment Formatting

• Insert Separator Comment — Inserts a horizontal line comment (/*----...----*/)
• Insert Asterisk Box Comment — Creates a decorative comment box with asterisks
• Insert Dash Box Comment — Creates a decorative comment box with dashes
• Insert Equals Sign Box Comment — Creates a decorative comment box with equals signs

Debugging Utilities

• Insert Function Trace Comment — Automatically adds print("# Gee Dbl A: Entering functionName()") statements to all functions in the file
• Remove Function Trace Comment — Removes previously added function trace comments

Configuration App

The companion macOS application allows you to maintain a list of copyright holders that the extension recognizes when updating file headers.

Supported File Types

• Swift source files (.swift)
• Swift Playgrounds
• C/C++ source and header files (.c, .cpp, .h, .hpp)
• Objective-C source files (.m, .mm)
• Xcode strings files

Requirements

• macOS (recent versions)
• Xcode

Installation

1. Download the latest release or build from source
2. Move XcodeGeeDblA.app to your Applications folder
3. Launch the app once to register the extension
4. Enable the extension in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Extensions → Xcode Source Editor
5. Restart Xcode

Usage

1. Open any supported source file in Xcode
2. Select Editor → XcodeGeeDblA from the menu bar
3. Choose the desired command

You can also assign keyboard shortcuts to these commands via Xcode → Settings → Key Bindings.

Building from Source

git clone https://github.com/YourUsername/XcodeGeeDblA.git
cd XcodeGeeDblA
open XcodeGeeDblA.xcodeproj

Build and run the main application target. The extension will be automatically built and registered.

Debugging the Extension

For extension debugging, use the pluginkit command-line tool:

# List registered extensions
pluginkit -m -v -i com.gee-dbl-a.XcodeGeeDblA.Extension

# Reset extension registration
pluginkit -e use -i com.gee-dbl-a.XcodeGeeDblA.Extension

Project Structure

XcodeGeeDblA/
├── XcodeGeeDblA/           # Main macOS app (SwiftUI)
│   ├── XcodeGeeDblAApp.swift
│   ├── ContentView.swift   # Copyright holders management UI
│   └── Assets.xcassets/
├── Extension/              # Xcode Source Editor Extension
│   ├── SourceEditorCommand.swift   # Core extension logic
│   ├── SourceEditorExtension.swift
│   ├── Constants.swift     # Supported UTI definitions
│   └── Info.plist          # Command registrations
└── BuildEnv/               # CI/CD and build scripts

Contributing

Contributions are welcome. Please read the Contributing Guidelines and Code of Conduct before submitting a pull request.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License — see LICENSE.markdown for details.

Copyright 2024 Gary Ash