Markdown preview doesn't update for non-dendron managed markdown files

[dionysuzx]

Please select the area your bug applies to. (Multiple selections are Possible. You can leave blank if you're not sure.)

• Workspace. VSCode workspace, vaults, Intellisense/autocomplete, Dendron settings
• Lookup. Dendron's Lookup Command
• Views. Dendron Preview, Tree View, Side Panels in the UI
• Schema. Dendron Schemas
• Pod. Data import from / export to Dendron
• Publish. External Site Publish
• Markdown. Markdown features, such as syntax support and features

Describe the bug

If you open a regular markdown file in vs code which is not managed by dendron, live update does not work.

This is high priority because it means that I cannot at the moment recommend a Dendron installation for my team as it would break their preview for whatever other workflow they might have.

To Reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Go to '...'
2. Click on '....'
3. Scroll down to '....'
4. See error

Expected behavior

A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen.

Screenshots

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Desktop (please complete the following information)

• OS: [e.g. iOS]
• Browser (if with published websites; include version): [e.g. chrome, safari]
• Versions (all that apply to bug):
  • Dendron Extension:
  • VS Code version:
  • Dendron CLI:

Additional context

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Dendron Log file

Please attach the output of > Dendron:Dev: Open Logs here

[jonathanyeung]

@d1onys1us - Would an acceptable mitigation be to use regular VS Code preview for non-Dendron notes?

If it's a non-dendron note, then the benefits of Dendron's preview largely wouldn't apply - i.e. note refs, backlinks, children, etc.

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@dendron Dev - to fix this, instead of modifying existing preview logic in plugin/plugin-views, we should switch to using the render methodology in Dendron-Web where the HTML is generated on the extension side and sent to the web view.

[dionysuzx]

@d1onys1us - Would an acceptable mitigation be to use regular VS Code preview for non-Dendron notes?

If it's a non-dendron note, then the benefits of Dendron's preview largely wouldn't apply - i.e. note refs, backlinks, children, etc.

@dendron Dev - to fix this, instead of modifying existing preview logic in plugin/plugin-views, we should switch to using the render methodology in Dendron-Web where the HTML is generated on the extension side and sent to the web view.

hey @jonathanyeung , that would be an acceptable resolution and makes sense. I actually believe it is preferred -- we shouldn't invade on other people's markdown experience if they are not using dendron. They might only be using dendron for some other project.

[dionysuzx]

a quick update cc @jonathanyeung

i noticed that in the vs code web view, i am also getting double preview buttons. in this repo, i have dendron inside of a folder ./handbook and at the root, i have a non dendron managed file ./README.md. i might change this later on, but this is the workflow which introduced a "bug". hope it helps :) thanks

[dionysuzx]

this might be outside of scope of this issue, if it is, let's open another issue. i can help with that, just let me know.

i noticed that the theme is not carrying over with the dendron preview.

[dionysuzx]

fyi i have needed to uninstall dendron for time being because this is a blocker / breaks my other markdown files editing experience

[jonathanyeung]

@d1onys1us - you can still use VSCode's build-in preview markdown experience alongside Dendron's:

• For VSCode's, you can run Markdown: Open Preview to the side command when you have a markdown note in focus.
• For Dendron's, you can run Dendron: Toggle Preview, or use the icon.

Was this the blocking aspect or was it something else?

[dionysuzx]

yes i can do that as well but it changes the user experience a bit, have to context switch between two markdown previews now

[dionysuzx]

hi @jonathanyeung i still think this is quite a blocker for me and it's degrading my DX. because i usually just click the native preview button, instead of using the command palette. so i have to either use command palette or uninstall dendron to get updates on preview to work properly.