Using CodeSmith Generator

CodeSmith Generator gives you a set of tools for finding, editing and running templates, and for keeping generated code up to date. Most of them are available both inside Visual Studio and as standalone applications.

If you haven't used Generator before, start with the getting started tutorial, then come back here for details on each tool.

Tools

Tool	What you use it for
Visual Studio integration	Use Template Explorer, the Template Editor, Schema Explorer, the Map Editor, projects and ActiveSnippets without leaving Visual Studio.
Template Explorer	Organize your templates in folders, then execute them or open them for editing.
Template Editor	Write, build and run templates with IntelliSense, navigation and other IDE features.
Schema Explorer	Browse database schema, manage data sources and edit extended properties.
Map Editor	Create and edit map files, such as SQL-to-.NET type maps, for lookups in your templates.
Generator projects	Save templates, property values and outputs in a .csp file, then regenerate everything in one step from Visual Studio, File Explorer, the command line or MSBuild.
Console application	Run Generator projects from the command line, from scripts and from your build.
ActiveSnippets	Expand a template right where your cursor is in the Visual Studio code editor.