VS Code Setup How-To Guides
Configure VS Code for AI-assisted coding. Covers the extensions, settings, and keybindings that make the editor work with AI tools.
AI Assistants
How to Set Up GitHub Copilot in VS Code
Install the GitHub Copilot extension, sign in, and turn on inline code suggestions in a few minutes.
How to Use Copilot Chat and Inline Chat in VS Code
Ask questions in the Copilot chat sidebar and edit code in place with inline chat and slash commands.
How to Install and Manage Extensions in VS Code
Find, install, disable, and uninstall VS Code extensions using the Marketplace panel and the command line.
How to Install the Continue Extension in VS Code
Install Continue, the open-source AI coding assistant, and open its chat and edit panels for the first time.
How to Install Cline, the Autonomous Coding Agent, in VS Code
Install Cline, connect a model, and run your first agent task that reads and edits files with your approval.
How to Configure Continue with an API Model
Add a cloud model such as Claude or GPT to Continue by editing its YAML config and pasting an API key.
How to Set Up an AI Assistant in VS Code
Install an AI coding extension in VS Code, sign in, and tune the settings that make inline suggestions actually helpful.
How to Run Continue with a Local Model Using Ollama
Install Ollama, pull a code model, and connect it to Continue so your AI assistant runs fully offline.
How to Run Copilot, Continue, and Cline Together Without Conflicts
Use multiple AI assistants in one VS Code window by stopping their autocomplete features from fighting each other.
How to Add an MCP Server to Cline
Extend Cline with a Model Context Protocol server so the agent can use external tools like a filesystem or web fetch.
How to Fix AI Suggestions Not Appearing in VS Code
Diagnose and fix common reasons Copilot, Continue, or Cline stop producing suggestions in VS Code.
How to Install and Trust an AI Extension in VS Code
Add an AI coding extension to VS Code, check it is the official one, and grant only the access it needs.
How to Install a VS Code Extension from the Command Line
Install and pin VS Code extensions with the code CLI so a fresh machine or container is set up in seconds.
Git & Debugging
How to Create a launch.json to Debug a Node.js App in VS Code
Set up a debug configuration, place a breakpoint, and step through Node.js code so you can inspect variables instead of adding console.log everywhere.
How to Initialize a Git Repository in VS Code
Turn a plain project folder into a git repository, make your first commit, and understand the Source Control view, all without typing git commands.
How to Stage, Commit, and Push Changes from VS Code
Run the everyday git loop, review a diff, stage selectively, commit, and push to a remote, entirely from the Source Control view.
How to Debug a Browser App in VS Code with the Built-in Chrome Debugger
Attach VS Code's debugger to a running dev server so you can set breakpoints in your front-end code and step through it in the editor.
How to Resolve Git Merge Conflicts in VS Code
Use VS Code's conflict editor to understand both sides of a merge conflict and resolve it cleanly without breaking your code.
How to Run Build and Dev Commands with tasks.json in VS Code
Define reusable tasks so you can start your build, dev server, or test command from a menu or keyboard shortcut instead of retyping it.
How to Add Environment Variables to a VS Code Debug Configuration
Pass environment variables to your app while debugging, either inline in launch.json or from a .env file, so secrets and config load correctly.
Editor Config
How to Open and Use the Integrated Terminal in VS Code
Open the built-in terminal in VS Code, run commands without leaving the editor, and manage multiple shells side by side.
How to Edit User Settings in VS Code (settings.json)
Open both the visual settings UI and the raw settings.json file, change common options safely, and understand where your settings actually live.
How to Set Up Format on Save with Prettier in VS Code
Install the Prettier extension, make it your default formatter, and have VS Code auto-format your code every time you save.
How to Set the Default Terminal Shell in VS Code on Windows
Pick which shell (PowerShell, Command Prompt, Git Bash, or WSL) VS Code opens by default and switch between them on demand.
How to Create Custom Snippets and Keybindings for AI Workflows
Speed up AI-assisted coding with reusable code snippets and custom keyboard shortcuts for chat and edit actions.