How to Install and Trust an AI Extension in VS Code

AI coding extensions add completion and chat right inside VS Code, but the marketplace also hosts lookalikes. Installing the official build and reviewing what it can access keeps the convenience without the risk. This guide installs one safely and verifies it.

What you need

• VS Code installed
• The name of the extension and its publisher
• About 6 minutes

Step 1: Verify the publisher

Search the Extensions panel, but do not install the first hit. Check the publisher name and the install count against the official source. Typo-squat copies often have a near-identical name and far fewer installs.

Step 2: Install and sign in

Install the verified extension and complete its sign-in flow. Most use an account or API key. Authenticate through the extension's own button, not a link pasted into a review.

> Extensions: Install Extension
> (then) AI Assistant: Sign In

Step 3: Review what it can access

Open the extension settings and check its permissions and telemetry. Decide whether it should read your whole workspace or only open files, and turn off any data sharing you are not comfortable with.

{
  "aiAssistant.context": "openFilesOnly",
  "aiAssistant.telemetry": false,
  "aiAssistant.autoComplete": true
}

Result: the official extension installed, signed in, and scoped to only the access it needs, so you get the assist without handing over your whole codebase by default.