---
title: "Catalyst Tools Project Explorer"
url: https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/catalyst-extensions/vs-code-extension/catalyst-tools-explorer/
description: "Catalyst Tools is a Catalyst extension that can be installed in your Visual Studio Code IDE. The extension will allow you to execute CLI commands and operations without using the Catalyst CLI terminal."
last_updated: 2026-08-28T06:26:16Z
service: All Services
type: general
---

# Catalyst Tools Project Explorer

The *Project Explorer* feature of **Catalyst Tools** extension allows you to perform the following operations:

* Switch between your [active projects](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/working-with-projects/reset-active-project/) and re-initialize your default project.

* [Generate authentication tokens](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/working-with-tokens/generate-token/).

* Search for the client, functions and [API Gateway](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/api-gateway/introduction/) rules available in the project.

* Pull and overwrite function, client, and API Gateway components from the remote project.

* [Log out](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/logout/) of your Catalyst account in the extension.

> **Note:** To access Catalyst Tools Project Explorer in the extension, you must have deployed the project to the Catalyst console.

There are two ways to navigate to the Project Explorer:

1. Click the **Project** option present in the *CATALYST CONFIGS* section.
![catalyst_extension_project](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project.webp)

2. Click the **Catalyst** button present in the status bar of the IDE.
![catalyst_extension_client_button](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_client_button.webp)

In the *Project Explorer*, you will be able to view the following:
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer.webp)

* The account details of the account you used to log in to Catalyst
* A list of all projects in your account
* The [web application URL](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/deployment-and-billing/environments/development-environment/#function-url-and-web-app-url-in-the-development-environment) of the project
* The name and Project ID of the project
* Meaningful details about the Client, Function and API Gateway components

### Switch Between Projects

In the Project Explorer, you can pull any of your active projects that are present in the Catalyst console, and you can reinitialize your default project.

**To switch between the active projects**:

1. Click the **arrow icon** in the *Active* section of the Project Explorer.
![catalyst-extension_active_projects](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst-extension_active_projects.webp)

2. Choose the project you wish to switch to from the drop-down selection.
![catalyst-extension_active_projects_list](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst-extension_active_projects_list.webp)

You can also click the **reset icon** to ensure all the updates made in the Catalyst console is reflected in the local environment in the Project Explorer.
![catalyst-extension_active_projects_reset](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst-extension_active_projects_reset.webp)

**To re-initialize default project**:

1. Click the **re-init** button in the *Default* section of the Project Explorer.
![catalyst-extension_default_projects_re_init](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst-extension_default_projects_re_init.webp)

2. Choose the project you wish to re-initialize and click the **Re-init** button that appears next to it.
![catalyst-extension_default_projects_re_init_drop](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst-extension_default_projects_re_init_drop.webp)

The project in your directory will be re-initialized.

### Pull Project Resources

The Project Explorer feature of **Catalyst Tools** allows you and your collaborators to easily pull project resources like Client, Function, and API Gateway from the remote project. If a specific resource does not exist in your local project's directory, it will be automatically created during the pull. However, if a resource is already present in your project folder, the extension will ask you for confirmation to overwrite the existing file.

You can work on the resources and push the changes made, by [deploying the entire project](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/deploy-resources/deploy-all-resources/) again, or just the components that you modified. 

You can learn more about pulling resources to your local environment from the [Pull Resources](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/pull-resources/introduction/) help page.

**Pull a client resource**:

1. Navigate to the *Client* section in the Project Explorer.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_client_section](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_client_section.webp)

2. Click the **pull icon** button that appears next to the client details.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_client_pull](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_client_pull.webp)

The client component will be pulled. If a client component already exists in your local project, it will be overwritten.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_client_pulled](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_client_pulled.webp)

**Pull a function**:

1. Navigate to the *Function* section in the Project Explorer.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_section](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_section.webp)

2. Select the required function, and click the **pull-icon** that appears next to it.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_pull](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_pull.webp)

3. Select the required function from the prompt, to confirm overwrite and confirm your preference by clicking the **submission-icon**.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_pull_confirm](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_pull_confirm.webp)

> **Note:** If you choose not to overwrite a function, it will not be pulled.

The selected function will be pulled and be available in your project directory.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_pulled](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_pulled.webp)

**Perform a Bulk Pull**: 

You can also perform a bulk pull operation of functions in the following manner:

1. Select the check-box present in the table-heading, then click the **Pull Selected** button.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_bulk_pull_select](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_bulk_pull_select.webp)

2. Confirm the functions you wish to pull, then click the **submission icon**.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_bulk_pull_confirm](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_bulk_pull_confirm.webp)

The selected functions will be pulled and be available in your directory.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_bulk_pulled](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_bulk_pulled.webp)

**Pull an API Gateway Rule**:

The API Gateway Rules file is a JSON file that contains the definitions of each API created in the [API Gateway](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/api-gateway/introduction/) component for your application. If you have not created any APIs in your project, you can still fetch the file with sample API definitions through the pull. 

You can refer to [Working with API Gateway](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/working-with-api-gateway/introduction/) help page for details about using this feature in a local environment.

In the API Gateway section of the console, you will be able to view whether the component has been enabled in the Catalyst console or not.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_api_disabled](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_api_disabled.webp)

If the API Gateway component has not been enabled, then you will not be able to pull the rules file locally through the extension.

If the component has been enabled in the Catalyst console, you can pull the API Gateway rules in the following manner:

1. Navigate to the API Gateway section of the Project Explorer.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_api_enabled](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_api_enabled.webp)

2. Click the **Pull All Rules** button.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_api_pull_highlight](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_api_pull_highlight.webp)

All the [rules](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/api-gateway/implementation/#create-an-api) associated with the API Gateway will be pulled. 

![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_api_pulled](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_func_api_pulled.webp)

The rules associated with the API Gateway will be made available to you in your project directory as a JSON file named `catalyst-user-rules`. 

A sample of `catalyst-user-rules.json` file is given below:

```json
[
  {
    "name": "shipment-tracker - Web Client Hosting",
    "source_endpoint": "/app/{path1:(.*)}",
    "target_endpoint": "/app/{path1}",
    "target": "client",
    "method": "GET",
    "throttling": {
      "overall": {},
      "ip": {}
    }
  },
  {
    "name": "shipment-info",
    "source_endpoint": "/server/shipment-info/execute",
    "target_endpoint": "/server/shipment-info/execute",
    "target": "basicio",
    "method": "ANY",
    "throttling": {
      "overall": {},
      "ip": {}
    },
    "target_id": "12096000000568097"
  },
  {
    "name": "logistic_struct",
    "source_endpoint": "/server/logistic_struct/execute",
    "target_endpoint": "/server/logistic_struct/execute",
    "target": "basicio",
    "method": "ANY",
    "throttling": {
      "overall": {},
      "ip": {}
    },
    "target_id": "12096000000573043"
  },
  {
    "name": "Login Redirect",
    "source_endpoint": "/app/index.html",
    "target_endpoint": "/app/index.html",
    "target": "client",
    "method": "GET",
    "throttling": {
      "overall": {},
      "ip": {}
    },
    "system": true
  }
]
```

### Manage Authentication Tokens

Catalyst allows you to generate authentication tokens to directly and securely access your Catalyst account without logging in. These tokens validate your operations with your Catalyst accounts and its projects. You can learn more from [Working with Tokens](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cli/v1/working-with-tokens/introduction/) help page.

You can generate authentication tokens easily from your VS Code IDE using the Project Explorer feature of the **Catalyst Tools** extension.

To generate tokens, perform the following steps:

1. Click the **Manage Token** button.
![catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_highlight](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_highlight.webp)

If there are any tokens that have been previously created, they will be displayed here.

2. To generate new token, click the **Create Token** button.
![catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_create_token_highlight](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_create_token_highlight.webp)

3. The token terminal will open in VS Code and a verification URL and verification code will be generated.
![catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_url_verification_code](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_url_verification_code.webp)

4. Click the URL,  paste the verification code in the space provided, and click **Verify**.
![catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_enter_code](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_enter_code.webp)

5. Click **Accept** after going through the list of scopes and permissions.
![catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_scopes_perm_accept](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_scopes_perm_accept.webp)

Your access has been authenticated.
![catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_code_confirm](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_code_confirm.webp)

When you return to VS Code IDE, your token will be generated and present in the *Manage Token* window, and in the token terminal.
![catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_token_display](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_token_display.webp)

Click the **copy icon** to copy the token and click the **Revoke** button to revoke tokens.
![catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_code_view](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extensions_manage_tokens_code_view.webp)

You can use this token to authenticate your access to your Catalyst account.

> **Note:** Access tokens can only be generated once every sixty minutes.

### Log Out from your Catalyst Account

You can log out from your Catalyst account in VS Code extension's environment in the Project Explorer feature.

To log out of your Catalyst account, perform the following steps:

1. Click the **ellipsis-icon** present in the Project Explorer.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_logout_hihlit](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_logout_hihlit.webp)

2. Click **Log Out**.
![catalyst_extension_project_explorer_logout](https://catalyst-docs-development.zohostratus.in/images/catalyst-extension/catalyst_extension_project_explorer_logout.webp)

You will be successfully logged out. You can log back in to your Catalyst account from the IDE, by following the steps listed in this [help page](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/catalyst-extensions/vs-code-extension/implementation/#log-in-to-catalyst).