CWL Metadata Editor¶
Edit Schema.org SoftwareApplication metadata in the same place where you develop a Common Workflow Language (CWL) tool or workflow.
The CWL Metadata Editor brings the metadata-authoring capabilities of the Transpiler Mate metadata generator into VS Code. The form opens beside the active .cwl file, loads its current metadata, and writes changes back as you type.
Why edit metadata inline?¶
The online generator is useful for creating a metadata block, but using its result is a separate operation: generate YAML, copy or download it, insert it into a CWL document, and repeat that exchange whenever metadata changes.
The extension turns that exchange into one feedback loop:
You retain the same structured fields and curated choices while gaining:
- pre-filled values from the active CWL document;
- updates directly in the source file after each change;
- ordinary VS Code diff, undo, save, and source-control workflows;
- preservation of CWL logic, comments, ordering, and formatting outside the supported top-level metadata keys;
- no copy-and-paste boundary between metadata authoring and workflow development.
Author here, publish with Transpiler Mate
The extension authors Schema.org metadata. Transpiler Mate remains the downstream tool for converting annotated CWL into CodeMeta, DataCite, OGC API Records, and other publication formats.
Choose what you need¶
- New to the extension? Complete Edit metadata for your first CWL tool.
- Have an annotated workflow already? Follow Edit existing metadata.
- Used the web generator before? See Move from the online generator.
- Need exact field or serialization details? Open the reference.
- Want the design rationale? Read A shorter metadata lifecycle.