Documentation and GH action updates

Author: Wilson421

.github/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -2,9 +2,18 @@ name: VS Code Extension CI/CD
 on:
   push:
     branches: [main, release/**, wip/**, hotfix/**]
+    paths-ignore:
+      - "**.md"
+      - "docs/**"
+      - ".github/**"
+      - ".vscode/**"
   pull_request:
     branches: [main, release/**, wip/**, hotfix/**]
-
+    paths-ignore:
+      - "**.md"
+      - "docs/**"
+      - ".github/**"
+      - ".vscode/**"
 
 jobs:
   test:

.github/workflows/release.yml

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ on:
       - "**.md"
       - "docs/**"
       - ".github/**"
+      - ".vscode/**"
   # Manual workflow dispatch for emergency releases
   workflow_dispatch:
     inputs:

.vscode/settings.json

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
     // Excel Power Query Editor settings for dev container
     "excel-power-query-editor.verboseMode": true,
-    "excel-power-query-editor.watchAlways": false,
+    "excel-power-query-editor.watchAlways": true,
     "excel-power-query-editor.backupLocation": "sameFolder",
     "excel-power-query-editor.customBackupPath": "./VSCodeBackups",
     "excel-power-query-editor.debugMode": true,
@@ -73,5 +73,6 @@
         "c:/DEV/ewc3labs/excel-power-query-editor/.vscode/excel-pq-symbols"
     ],
     "excel-power-query-editor.watch.checkExcelWriteable": true,
-    "excel-power-query-editor.watchAlwaysMaxFiles": 100
+    "excel-power-query-editor.watchAlwaysMaxFiles": 100,
+    "excel-power-query-editor.sync.openExcelAfterWrite": true
 }

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,29 +1,8 @@
-<!-- HEADER_TABLE -->
-<table align="center">
-<tr>
-  <td width="112" align="center" valign="middle">
-    <img src="assets/excel-power-query-editor-logo-128x128.png" width="128" height="128"><br>
-    <strong>E · P · Q · E</strong>
-  </td>
-
-  <td align="center" valign="middle">
-    <h1 align="center">Excel Power Query Editor</h1>
-    <p align="left">
-      <b>Edit Power Query M code directly from Excel files in VS Code. No Excel needed. No bullshit. It Just Works™.</b><br>
-      <sub>
-        Built by <strong>EWC3 Labs</strong> — where we rage-build the tools everyone needs, but nobody <del>cares to build</del>
-        <em>is deranged enough to spend days perfecting until it actually works right.</em>
-      </sub>
-    </p>
-  </td>
-
-  <td width="112" align="center" valign="middle">
-    <img src="assets/EWC3LabsLogo-blue-128x128.png" width="128" height="128"><br>
-    <strong><em>QA Officer</em></strong>
-  </td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-<!-- /HEADER_TABLE -->
+# Excel Power Query Editor
+
+A modern, reliable VS Code extension for editing Power Query M code directly from Excel files.
+
+---
 
 # Changelog
 

README.md

@@ -1,158 +1,67 @@
-<!-- HEADER_TABLE -->
-<table align="center">
-<tr>
-  <td width="112" align="center" valign="middle">
-    <img src="assets/excel-power-query-editor-logo-128x128.png" width="128" height="128"><br>
-    <strong>E · P · Q · E</strong>
-  </td>
+# Excel Power Query Editor
 
-  <td align="center" valign="middle">
-    <h1 align="center">Excel Power Query Editor</h1>
-    <p align="left">
-      <b>Edit Power Query M code directly from Excel files in VS Code. No Excel needed. No bullshit. It Just Works™.</b><br>
-      <sub>
-        Built by <strong>EWC3 Labs</strong> — where we rage-build the tools everyone needs, but nobody <del>cares to build</del>
-        <em>is deranged enough to spend days perfecting until it actually works right.</em>
-      </sub>
-    </p>
-  </td>
-
-  <td width="112" align="center" valign="middle">
-    <img src="assets/EWC3LabsLogo-blue-128x128.png" width="128" height="128"><br>
-    <strong><em>QA Officer</em></strong>
-  </td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-<!-- /HEADER_TABLE -->
-
-<!-- BADGES -->
-<p align="center">
-  <img alt="License: MIT" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg">
-  <img alt="Version" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Version-0.5.0-brightgreen.svg">
-  <img alt="Tests Passing" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/tests-71%20passing-brightgreen.svg">
-  <img alt="VS Code" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/VS_Code-Marketplace-blue.svg">
-  <img alt="Buy Me a Coffee" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Buy%20Me%20a%20Coffee-yellow?logo=buy-me-a-coffee&logoColor=white">
-</p>
-<!-- /BADGES -->
+A modern, reliable VS Code extension for editing Power Query M code directly from Excel files — fast, cross-platform, and Excel-free. Built by EWC3 Labs, where we rage-build the tools we wish already existed.
 
 ---
 
-### 🛠️ About This Extension
-
-At **EWC3 Labs**, we don’t just build tools — we rage-build solutions to common problems that grind our gears on the daily. We got tired of fighting Excel’s half-baked Power Query editor and decided to _**just rip the M code**_ straight into VS Code, where it belongs and where CoPilot _lives_. Other devs built the foundational pieces _(see Acknowledgments below)_, and we stitched them together like caffeinated mad scientists in a lightning storm.
-
-This extension exists because the existing workflow is clunky, fragile, and dumb. There’s no Excel or COM (_or Windows_) requirement, and no popup that says “something went wrong” with no actionable info. Just clean `.m` files. One context. Full references. You save — we sync. Done.
-
-This is Dev/Power User tooling that finally respects your time.
-
+☕️ **Support this project:** [Buy Me a Coffee](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ewc3labs)
+
+## 🚀 What It Does
+- **Edit Power Query M code directly from Excel files** (`.xlsx`, `.xlsm`, `.xlsb`) — no Excel required, no COM, no drama.
+- **Intelligent Auto-Watch:** Real-time sync with configurable file limits (1–100 files).
+- **Professional Logging:** Emoji-enhanced logs with multiple verbosity levels (🪲🔍ℹ️✅⚠️❌).
+- **Excel Symbols:** Auto-installs Excel-specific IntelliSense for `Excel.CurrentWorkbook()` and more.
+- **Automatic Backups:** Your data is safe — every change is backed up before it hits your Excel file.
+- **Zero Dependencies:** Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. No Excel install needed.
+- **Full IntelliSense:** Complete M language support with syntax highlighting.
+- **Copilot & AI Ready:** Works seamlessly with GitHub Copilot and other VS Code AI tools.
 ---
-
-## ⚡ Quick Start
+## 🤔 Why Use Excel Power Query Editor?
+Let’s be honest: Excel’s built-in Power Query editor is... not great. It’s slow, clunky, Windows-only, and the Advanced Editor is barely an editor at all. We got tired of losing work to random syntax errors, fighting with popups, and being told we could only edit ONE query at a time—while Excel locks up the rest of your workflow. So we built the tool we wanted: fast, reliable, and actually respects your time.
+**Excel Power Query Editor** gives you:
+- A modern, cross-platform development experience in VS Code
+- Clean, reliable M code editing with full references and context
+- Fast, safe workflows with no dependency on Excel installation
+- Professional logging and backup so you never lose work
+- A little EWC3 Labs attitude — because dev tools should respect your time
+---
+## 🚀 Quick Start
 
 ### 1. Install
-
-Open VS Code → Extensions (`Ctrl+Shift+X`) → Search **"Excel Power Query Editor"** → Install
+- Open VS Code → **Extensions** (`Ctrl+Shift+X`).
+- Search for **“Excel Power Query Editor”**.
+- Click **Install**.
 
 ### 2. Extract & Edit
-
-1. Right-click any Excel file (`.xlsx`, `.xlsm`, `.xlsb`) in Explorer
-2. Select **"Extract Power Query from Excel"**
-3. Edit the generated `.m` file with full VS Code features
+- Right-click an Excel file → **“Extract Power Query from Excel”**.
+- Edit the generated `.m` file with full VS Code features.
 
 ### 3. Auto-Sync
+- Right-click the `.m` file → **“Toggle Watch”**.
+- Changes are automatically synced to Excel when you save.
+- Enable Watch Always setting to automatically start watching every extracted Power Query file.
 
-1. Right-click the `.m` file → **"Toggle Watch"**
-2. Your changes automatically sync to Excel when you save
-3. Automatic backups keep your data safe
-
-## 🚀 Key Features
-
-- **🔄 Bidirectional Sync**: Extract from Excel → Edit in VS Code → Sync back seamlessly
-- **👁️ Intelligent Auto-Watch**: Real-time sync with configurable file limits (1-100 files, default 25)
-- **📊 Professional Logging**: Emoji-enhanced logging with 6 verbosity levels (🪲🔍ℹ️✅⚠️❌)
-- **🤖 Smart Excel Symbols**: Auto-installs Excel-specific IntelliSense for `Excel.CurrentWorkbook()` and more
-- **🛡️ Smart Backups**: Automatic Excel backups before any changes with intelligent cleanup
-- **🔧 Zero Dependencies**: No Excel installation required, works on Windows/Mac/Linux
-- **💡 Full IntelliSense**: Complete M language support with syntax highlighting
-- **⚙️ Production Ready**: Professional UX with optimal performance for large workspaces
-
-## 📖 Documentation & Support
-
-**→ [Complete Documentation Hub](docs/README_docs.md)** - All guides, references, and resources  
-**→ [User Guide](docs/USER_GUIDE.md)** - Feature documentation and workflows  
-**→ [Configuration Reference](docs/CONFIGURATION.md)** - All settings and customization options  
-**→ [Contributing Guide](docs/CONTRIBUTING.md)** - Development setup, testing, and automation  
-**→ [Publishing Guide](docs/PUBLISHING_GUIDE.md)** - GitHub Actions automation and marketplace publishing  
-**→ [Release Summary v0.5.0](docs/RELEASE_SUMMARY_v0.5.0.md)** - Latest features and improvements
-
-## Why This Extension?
-
-Excel's Power Query editor is **painful to use**. This extension brings the **power of VS Code** to Power Query development:
-
-- 🚀 **Modern Architecture**: No COM/ActiveX dependencies that break with VS Code updates
-- 🔧 **Reliable**: Direct Excel file parsing - no Excel installation required
-- 🌐 **Cross-Platform**: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
-- ⚡ **Fast**: Instant startup, no waiting for COM objects
-- 🎨 **Beautiful**: Syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, and professional emoji logging
-- 📊 **Intelligent**: Configurable auto-watch limits prevent performance issues in large workspaces
-- ⚡ **Fast**: Instant startup, no waiting for COM objects
-- 🎨 **Beautiful**: Syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, and proper formatting
-
-## The Problem This Solves
-
-**Excel's built-in editor** and legacy extensions suffer from:
-
-- ❌ Breaks with every VS Code update (COM/ActiveX issues)
-- ❌ Windows-only, requires Excel installed
-- ❌ Leaves Excel zombie processes
-- ❌ Unreliable startup (popup dependencies)
-- ❌ Terrible editing experience
-
-**This extension** provides:
-
-- ✅ Update-resistant architecture
-- ✅ Works without Excel installed
-- ✅ Clean, reliable operation
-- ✅ Cross-platform compatibility
-- ✅ Modern VS Code integration
-- ✅ Professional emoji-enhanced logging (6 levels: 🪲🔍ℹ️✅⚠️❌)
-- ✅ Intelligent auto-watch with configurable limits (1-100 files)
-- ✅ Automatic Excel symbols installation for enhanced IntelliSense
-
-## 📚 Complete Documentation
-
-- **📖 [User Guide](docs/USER_GUIDE.md)** - Complete workflows, advanced features, troubleshooting
-- **⚙️ [Configuration](docs/CONFIGURATION.md)** - All settings, examples, use cases
-- **🤝 [Contributing](docs/CONTRIBUTING.md)** - Development setup, testing, contribution guidelines
-- **📝 [Changelog](CHANGELOG.md)** - Version history and feature updates
-- **🚀 [Publishing Guide](docs/PUBLISHING_GUIDE.md)** - GitHub Actions automation and release process
-- **📋 [Release Summary v0.5.0](docs/RELEASE_SUMMARY_v0.5.0.md)** - Latest features and technical improvements
-
-## 🆘 Need Help?
-
-- **Issues**: [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/ewc3labs/excel-power-query-editor/issues)
-- **Discussions**: [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/ewc3labs/excel-power-query-editor/discussions)
-- **Support**: [![Buy Me a Coffee](https://img.shields.io/badge/-Buy%20Me%20a%20Coffee-ffdd00?style=flat&logo=buy-me-a-coffee&logoColor=black)](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ewc3labs)
-
-## 🤝 Acknowledgments & Credits
-
-This extension builds upon the excellent work of several key contributors to the Power Query ecosystem:
-
-**Inspired by:**
-
-- **[Alexander Malanov](https://github.com/amalanov)** - Creator of the original [EditExcelPQM](https://github.com/amalanov/EditExcelPQM) extension, which pioneered Power Query editing in VS Code
-
-**Powered by:**
-
-- **[Microsoft Power Query / M Language Extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=powerquery.vscode-powerquery)** - Provides essential M language syntax highlighting and IntelliSense
-- **[MESCIUS Excel Viewer](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=MESCIUS.gc-excelviewer)** - Enables Excel file viewing in VS Code for seamless CoPilot workflows
+---
 
-**Technical Foundation:**
+## 📚 Documentation & Support
+- **[User Guide](https://github.com/ewc3labs/excel-power-query-editor/blob/main/docs/USER_GUIDE.md)** – Workflows, commands, and tips
+- **[Release Summary v0.5.0](https://github.com/ewc3labs/excel-power-query-editor/blob/main/docs/RELEASE_SUMMARY_v0.5.0.md)** – Latest changes and features
+- **[GitHub Repository](https://github.com/ewc3labs/excel-power-query-editor)** – Source code, issues, and full documentation
 
-- **[excel-datamashup](https://github.com/Vladinator/excel-datamashup)** by [Vladinator](https://github.com/Vladinator) - Robust Excel Power Query extraction library
+---
 
-This extension represents a complete architectural rewrite focused on reliability, cross-platform compatibility, and modern VS Code integration patterns.
+## 🙏 Acknowledgments
+This project builds on the open-source work of the Power Query community:
+- **[Alexander Malanov](https://github.com/amalanov)** – [EditExcelPQM](https://github.com/amalanov/EditExcelPQM)
+- **[Vladinator](https://github.com/Vladinator)** – [excel-datamashup](https://github.com/Vladinator/excel-datamashup)
+- **[Microsoft](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/publishers/Microsoft)** – [Power Query / M Language Extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=PowerQuery.vscode-powerquery)
+- **[MESCIUS Excel Viewer](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=GrapeCity.gc-excelviewer)** – Optional Excel file previewing in VS Code
 
 ---
 
-**Excel Power Query Editor** - _Because Power Query development shouldn't be painful_ ✨
+<p align="center">
+  <img src="assets/EWC3LabsLogo-blue-128x128.png" width="128" height="128" alt="Georgie the QA Officer"><br>
+  <sub><b>Georgie, our QA Officer</b></sub>
+</p>
+
+**Excel Power Query Editor** – _Because Power Query development shouldn’t be painful._

SUPPORT.md

@@ -42,13 +42,23 @@ Give the project a star on GitHub to help others discover it.
 
 For technical support and questions:
 
-1. 📖 Check the [User Guide](USER_GUIDE.md) for detailed instructions
-2. ⚙️ Review [Configuration Guide](CONFIGURATION.md) for settings
-3. 🔍 Enable verbose mode for troubleshooting
-4. 🐛 Use debug mode for complex issues
+1. 📖 Check the [User Guide](docs/USER_GUIDE.md) for detailed instructions
+2. ⚙️ Review [Configuration Guide](docs/CONFIGURATION.md) for settings
+3. 🤝 See the [Contributing Guide](docs/CONTRIBUTING.md) for developer setup and automation
+4. � Review the [Release Summary](docs/RELEASE_SUMMARY_v0.5.0.md) for the latest features and technical notes
+5. �🔍 Enable verbose mode for troubleshooting
+6. 🐛 Use debug mode for complex issues
 
 ---
 
 **Thank you for supporting the Power Query development community!** ☕
 
+---
+<p align="center">
+  <img src="assets/EWC3LabsLogo-blue-128x128.png" width="128" height="128" alt="Georgie the QA Officer"><br>
+  <sub><b>Georgie, our QA Officer</b></sub>
+</p>
+
+---
+
 *Every contribution, no matter how small, helps make this extension better for everyone.*

docs/BETA_DOWNLOADS.md

@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+# Excel Power Query Editor
+A modern, reliable VS Code extension for editing Power Query M code directly from Excel files
+
+---
+
 # 🧪 Beta Downloads & Nightly Builds
 
 Get early access to the latest features and fixes before they hit the VS Code Marketplace!
@@ -66,4 +71,11 @@ Having issues with a beta?
 
 ---
 
+<p align="center">
+  <img src="assets/EWC3LabsLogo-blue-128x128.png" width="128" height="128" alt="Georgie the QA Officer"><br>
+  <sub><b>Georgie, our QA Officer</b></sub>
+</p>
+
+---
+
 **Happy testing!** 🧪✨

docs/CONFIGURATION.md

@@ -1,32 +1,9 @@
-<!-- HEADER_TABLE -->
-<table align="center">
-<tr>
-  <td width="112" align="center" valign="middle">
-    <img src="assets/excel-power-query-editor-logo-128x128.png" width="128" height="128"><br>
-    <strong>E · P · Q · E</strong>
-  </td>
-
-  <td align="center" valign="middle">
-    <h1 align="center">Excel Power Query Editor</h1>
-    <p align="left">
-      <b>Edit Power Query M code directly from Excel files in VS Code. No Excel needed. No bullshit. It Just Works™.</b><br>
-      <sub>
-        Built by <strong>EWC3 Labs</strong> — where we rage-build the tools everyone needs, but nobody <del>cares to build</del>
-        <em>is deranged enough to spend days perfecting until it actually works right.</em>
-      </sub>
-    </p>
-  </td>
-
-  <td width="112" align="center" valign="middle">
-    <img src="assets/EWC3LabsLogo-blue-128x128.png" width="128" height="128"><br>
-    <strong><em>QA Officer</em></strong>
-  </td>
-</tr>
-</table>
-<!-- /HEADER_TABLE -->
+# Excel Power Query Editor
+A modern, reliable VS Code extension for editing Power Query M code directly from Excel files
 
 ---
 
+
 ## Configuration Reference
 
 > **Complete settings guide with real-world use cases and optimization examples**
@@ -411,4 +388,9 @@ Then check: `View > Output > "Excel Power Query Editor"`
 
 ---
 
+<p align="center">
+  <img src="assets/EWC3LabsLogo-blue-128x128.png" width="128" height="128" alt="Georgie the QA Officer"><br>
+  <sub><b>Georgie, our QA Officer</b></sub>
+</p>
+
 **Excel Power Query Editor v0.5.0** - Professional configuration for every workflow