> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.poshtools.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.poshtools.com/readme.md).

# About

PowerShell Pro Tools documentation for PowerShell developer and automation tools.

PowerShell Pro Tools brings together editors, packagers, designers, installers, and automation utilities for PowerShell developers. Choose the tool you are using, or jump straight into a common workflow.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Start here:** Check [System Requirements](/system-requirements.md), then open the product card for your editor or tool. Each product area includes installation notes, examples, and feature references.
{% endhint %}

## Choose a project

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Visual Studio</strong></td><td>PowerShell editing, debugging, project support, refactoring, analysis, and UI design inside Visual Studio.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/visual-studio.md">PoshTools VS</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Visual Studio Code</strong></td><td>Packaging, conversion, diagnostics, automation, RapidSense, decompilation, and editor productivity for VS Code.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/visual-studio-code.md">PoshTools VSC</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>PowerShell Module</strong></td><td>Command-line tools for packaging, code conversion, hotkeys, merge scripts, and launching the form designer.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/powershell-module.md">PowerShell Module</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>PSMSI</strong></td><td>Create Windows installers with files, directories, shortcuts, installer identity, custom actions, and UI settings.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/psmsi.md">PSMSI</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>PSEdit</strong></td><td>A focused PowerShell script editor for quickly opening and editing scripts outside a full IDE.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/psedit.md">PSEdit</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>PSCommander</strong></td><td>Desktop automation with commands, tray menus, global hot keys, protocol handlers, widgets, and shortcuts.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/pscommander.md">PSCommander</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>PowerShell Protect</strong></td><td>Protect scripts with configurable rules and actions that help control how protected scripts are used.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/powershell-protect.md">PowerShell Protect</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Common workflows

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Install</strong></td><td>Find the right installer, extension, module, and offline package for your environment.</td><td><a href="/reference/installation-and-configuration.md">Installation</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Package scripts</strong></td><td>Bundle scripts, package executables, configure package.psd1, and prepare builds for Windows, Linux, or macOS.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/powershell-module/packaging.md">Packaging</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Build a GUI</strong></td><td>Use Windows Forms and WPF designers to create PowerShell user interfaces from Visual Studio or VS Code.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/visual-studio/user-interface-design.md">User Interface Design</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Create an installer</strong></td><td>Use PSMSI to define installer identity, directories, files, shortcuts, custom actions, and installer UI.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/psmsi/getting-started.md">Getting Started</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Automate the desktop</strong></td><td>Configure PSCommander events, data sources, context menus, widgets, global hot keys, and tray actions.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/pscommander/feature-reference.md">Feature Reference</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Protect scripts</strong></td><td>Get started with PowerShell Protect rules, actions, and configuration for protected script workflows.</td><td><a href="/open-source-tools/powershell-protect/getting-started.md">Getting Started</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Download

PowerShell Pro Tools is free to use.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Visual Studio 2017-2019</strong></td><td>Install PowerShell Tools for Visual Studio from the Visual Studio Marketplace.</td><td><a href="https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=AdamRDriscoll.PowerShellToolsforVisualStudio2017-18561">https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=AdamRDriscoll.PowerShellToolsforVisualStudio2017-18561</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Visual Studio 2022</strong></td><td>Install the Visual Studio 2022 extension from the Visual Studio Marketplace.</td><td><a href="https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=AdamRDriscoll.PowerShellToolsVS2022">https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=AdamRDriscoll.PowerShellToolsVS2022</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Visual Studio Code</strong></td><td>Install PowerShell Pro Tools for Visual Studio Code from the Visual Studio Marketplace.</td><td><a href="https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ironmansoftware.powershellprotools">https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ironmansoftware.powershellprotools</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>PowerShellProTools</strong></td><td>Install the PowerShell Pro Tools module from the PowerShell Gallery.</td><td><a href="https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/PowerShellProTools">https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/PowerShellProTools</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>PSMSI</strong></td><td>Install the PowerShell installer authoring module from the PowerShell Gallery.</td><td><a href="https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/PSMSI">https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/PSMSI</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>PSEdit</strong></td><td>Install the focused PowerShell editor from the PowerShell Gallery.</td><td><a href="https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/psedit">https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/psedit</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>PSCommander</strong></td><td>Install the desktop automation module from the PowerShell Gallery.</td><td><a href="https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/PSCommander">https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/PSCommander</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>PowerShell Protect</strong></td><td>Install the script protection module from the PowerShell Gallery.</td><td><a href="https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/PowerShellProtect">https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/PowerShellProtect</a></td></tr></tbody></table>