Install VSCode Text Editor
Now it’s time to install the Visual Studio Code (VSCode) text editor, a sophisticated text editor for code, markup, and prose.
Follow the below instructions in order, paying attention to any notes specific to your operating system.
Get Started
- Close any open terminal windows.
- Download VSCode and install.
- If this window displays during set up, be sure the following boxes are selected.
- Before launching the application, move VSCode from your downloads folder to your applications folder.
- Launch The VS Code Application .
- Open the Command Palette (press ⌘+shift+p keys) and type ‘shell command’.
- Select the option that says: Shell Command: Install ‘code’ command in PATH.
- Close VS Code and close your terminal.
Install Required VSCode Extensions
We’ll now be adding some functionality to your new code editor by installing a number of extensions.
- Re-open your terminal and run the command:
code .
- On the bottom left hand side you will see a settings (“gear”) icon.
- Click this, then select “Extensions”.
- A side-bar will slide out and at the top you can search for the listed extensions below, and click the ‘Install’ button for each:
- liveserver
- ESLint
- markdownlint
- editorconfig
- HTML Preview
- Thunder Client
There are many other extensions to choose from that will make your coding life a lot easier. Your instructors, TAs and classmates will all be great resources as to what works well for them.
VSCode’s documentation is excellent. Review it now to familiarize yourself with the basics.