Business Central 2025 wave 1 (BC26): New Command in VS Code to start a new project from a template (AL: New Project)

Hi, Readers.
The public preview for Dynamics 365 Business Central 2025 release wave 1 (BC26) is available. Learn more: Link.

I will continue to test and share some new features that I hope will be helpful.

This new feature is not yet documented in the Business Central 2025 release wave 1 (BC26) release plan but is mentioned in AL Language extension changelog Version 15.0.

New Command in VSCode to start a new project from a template:
We have added a new command AL.NewProject. From this it is possible to start a new project from a template.
https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items/ms-dynamics-smb.al/changelog

When we need to create a new project, we need to trigger the AL Go! command, choose a path to a new empty folder and which version to run.

Starting with BC24 we have a new way to create a AL project.
When no folders are opened, click Explorer icon, you can see a new AL project area. Simply clicking Create AL Project is the same as running the AL Go! command!

More details: Business Central 2024 wave 1 (BC24): New “Create AL Project” button in VS Code

With this wave (BC26), we have a new method, AL: New Project command.

After executing the command, Select the template, there is currently only one Copilot template.

Then choose a path to a new empty folder.
PS: Business Central 2023 wave 2 (BC23): Set the default folder location for new AL projects (al.algoSuggestedFolder setting)

Choose the server. This is the same as the previous version.

At this point you can notice that, unlike the AL Go! command, the al files in the template is automatically created in this project. (Previously only contained a HelloWorld.al)

Let’s look at some examples,
Copilot.Codeunit.al:

CopilotConfig.Page.al:

CopilotInstall.Codeunit.al:

Great. But as of now, it looks like this is something only Microsoft can add templates to, I’ll be looking forward to hearing more details at the Business Central Launch Event (2025 release wave 1).
Give it a try!!!😁

PS:
1. Business Central 2023 wave 2 (BC23): Set the default folder location for new AL projects (al.algoSuggestedFolder setting)

2. Dynamics 365 Business Central: Set the default publisher when creating a new project

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Hope this will help.

Thanks for reading.

ZHU