Install VS Code and Run Your First Project

Platform-Specific Official Installation Files and Execution Commands

Windows requires User Installer(x64/Arm64 .exe) to auto-register code command in PATH. macOS needs Universal .dmg dragged to Applications folder, then Shell Command: Install \'code\' command in PATH in command palette. Linux(Debian/Ubuntu) uses sudo apt install ./<file>.deb, Fedora/RHEL uses sudo dnf install ./<file>.rpm.

Latest files are at https://code.visualstudio.com/download.

First Project Folder Opening and Terminal Verification

1. Open VS Code and select 'Open Folder' from File menu or run code . in terminal to set current directory as workspace.
2. Check explorer icon (Ctrl+Shift+E) in activity bar to display file tree.
3. Open new terminal (Ctrl+Shift+`) to verify prompt appearance.
4. Create hello.py via explorer right-click > 'New File' and add print("Hello VS Code"), then save with Ctrl+S.
5. Run python hello.py in terminal; Hello VS Code output confirms working environment.

Essential Extension Installation and Setting Synchronization

Search extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X) for python and install Microsoft's official Python extension (Publisher: Microsoft, ID: ms-python.python). Install GitLens (Publisher: GitKraken, ID: eamodio.gitlens) for Git history and code lens.

Enable sync via the account icon or the Manage (gear) menu > 'Backup and Sync Settings...' with GitHub/Microsoft login to share extensions and settings across devices. Exclude specific extensions via right-click > 'Install (Exclude from Sync)'.

GitHub Copilot Free Plan Activation Procedure

Click 'Login' in title bar or Copilot icon in status bar to select 'Use AI Features'. GitHub login applies existing subscriptions or enrolls in Copilot Free for monthly inline suggestions and AI credits. Use Copilot Chat (Ctrl+Alt+I) to describe tasks in natural language for file generation, editing, or terminal command suggestions.

To use your own LLM API key, open Manage Language Models (gear icon) from the chat's language model picker, or run 'Chat: Manage Language Models' from the Command Palette, and add the provider and key.

Two Common Limitations for Beginners

First, on Windows the System Installer needs admin rights and installs under Program Files for all users, while the User Installer installs only into the current profile (%LOCALAPPDATA%). Second, the first install of a third-party extension (since VS Code 1.97) shows a publisher trust dialog; without trusting, the install does not proceed.

To change trust later, run 'Extensions: Manage Trusted Extensions Publishers' from the Command Palette.

Troubleshooting 'code' Command Not Working After Installation

Symptom: code . in terminal shows 'command not found' or 'code is not recognized'. Check: Windows User Installer PATH option unchecked, macOS 'Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH' not executed. Fix: Windows re-run installer with 'Add to PATH' checked and reboot; macOS re-run command palette command.

If unresolved, manually edit PATH via official documentation.

Completion Verification Checklist

• VS Code window open with explorer, search, source control, extensions, and account icons in activity bar
• Terminal (Ctrl+Shift+) runs code --version showing version (e.g., 1.97.0)
• Python extension installed; hello.py save detects Python 3.x.x interpreter in status bar
• GitHub login activates Copilot icon (gray→color) and opens Chat window
• Sync icon shows 'Sync' status (cloud with check)

Alternative Paths and Enterprise Support Criteria

Browser-only environments use https://vscode.dev for editing, Git, and partial extensions. Test latest features via daily Insiders build alongside Stable. Enterprise proxies/firewalls blocking marketplace require IT approval for https://marketplace.visualstudio.com and https://*.gallery.vsassets.io.

Unresolved installation errors should be reported on https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues.

Decision Table: User Condition-Based Recommended Installation

Copyable Minimum Command Set

# Windows (PowerShell, User Installer installed)

code .
code --version

# macOS (code command PATH registered)

code .
code --version

# Ubuntu/Debian

sudo apt update && sudo apt install ./code_*.deb
code .

# Fedora/RHEL

sudo dnf install ./code-*.rpm
code .

# First Python file creation and execution

echo 'print("Hello VS Code")' > hello.py
python hello.py

Excluded Values and Permission Checklist

Do not hardcode GitHub Copilot PAT in settings.json; use OAuth flow. Verify third-party publisher name and download count before trusting in extension dialog. Review settings.json for API keys, database passwords, or certificate paths during sync.

Enterprise devices may block marketplace access; confirm with IT before installation.

FAQ

Q: Should I choose User Installer or System Installer on Windows? A: User Installer for single-account non-admin use (%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Microsoft VS Code), System Installer for multi-user or system-wide deployment (C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code).

Q: Why does the code command fail in zsh on macOS? A: Run 'Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH' in command palette, then restart shell (exec $SHELL) or reopen terminal.

Q: Extension marketplace won't open in proxy environment? A: Configure http.proxy/http.proxyStrictSSL in settings (Ctrl+,) or set HTTP_PROXY/HTTPS_PROXY environment variables, then restart VS Code. Refer to 'Proxy server support' documentation.