feat(blog): add LaunchyBar extension introduction post

src/content/blog/2026/introducing-the-launchybar-visual-studio-extension/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+---
+title: 'Introducing the "LaunchyBar" Visual Studio extension!'
+date: "2026-02-05T12:00:00-05:00"
+categories: [dotnet, csharp, extensibility, visualstudio]
+description: "Miss VS Code's Activity Bar? LaunchyBar brings that same quick-access toolbar experience to Visual Studio!"
+subtitle: "Quick access to your favorite tools!"
+---
+
+Introducing "[LaunchyBar](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=CodingWithCalvin.VS-LaunchyBar)", an extension for Visual Studio 2022 (and 2026!) that brings the beloved Activity Bar concept from VS Code and JetBrains IDEs right into your Visual Studio workflow.
+
+If you've spent any time in VS Code, you're probably familiar with that narrow vertical strip of icons on the left side - the Activity Bar. It gives you quick, single-click access to common tools like the file explorer, search, source control, and more. I always missed that when switching back to Visual Studio, so I decided to build it myself.
+
+## A Word of Warning
+
+Before you get too excited, I need to be upfront: **this extension is entirely experimental**. I'm doing some things that aren't exactly "supported" by the Visual Studio extensibility APIs - specifically, injecting the toolbar into Visual Studio's main window shell. It works, but it's definitely pushing the boundaries of what extensions are supposed to do.
+
+What does that mean for you? It means this extension could break at any moment - a Visual Studio update, a theme change, or just the stars aligning wrong could cause issues. If you're okay with that and want to live on the edge, keep reading!
+
+## What Does It Do?
+
+LaunchyBar docks to the left side of Visual Studio and gives you instant access to frequently used tools and commands. Out of the box, it comes pre-configured with some essentials:
+
+- **Solution Explorer** - Jump straight to your project structure
+- **Find in Files** - Quick search access
+- **Git Changes** - Check your source control status
+- **Debug** - Start or stop debugging with a single click (it even changes the icon based on the current debugger state!)
+- **Terminal** - Pop open the integrated terminal
+- **Settings** - Jump into Visual Studio settings
+
+The best part? Tool windows like Solution Explorer and Terminal toggle on each click - click once to show, click again to hide. No more hunting through menus.
+
+![LaunchyBar in action](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/CodingWithCalvin/VS-LaunchyBar/main/resources/1-launchy-bar.png)
+
+Feel free to check it out, and let me know if you have any suggestions for it - I have some ideas for making the bar customizable in the future, but I'd love to hear what features you'd find useful!
+
+And, of course, [it's open source](https://github.com/CodingWithCalvin/VS-LaunchyBar) and issues / PRs are happily accepted, if you're into that sort of thing.