Visual Studio Code

What is Visual Studio Code about?

Visual Studio Code delivers a flexible editing environment enriched with AI features such as model selection, context‑aware chat, next‑edit suggestions, and Agent mode. It indexes the codebase locally and on GitHub, allowing fast, relevant assistance. The platform is highly customizable through themes, profiles, settings sync, and a vast marketplace of extensions.

How to use Visual Studio Code?

1. Install the editor from the official website or use the web version at vscode.dev.
2. Open a folder or workspace containing your project.
3. Enable GitHub Copilot (or another supported model) via the Copilot extension.
4. Select an AI model from the dropdown in the Copilot Chat panel.
5. Interact with the AI using #codebase or #file:<path> tags to provide context.
6. Accept next‑edit suggestions with the Tab key, or invoke Agent mode for multi‑step tasks.
7. Extend functionality by installing extensions from the Marketplace or building custom Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers.

Key features of Visual Studio Code

• Model selection: Choose from Claude, GPT, Azure, Anthropic, Google, Ollama, OpenAI, OpenRouter, or bring your own API key.
• Codebase awareness: Local and remote indexing enables context‑aware chat and editing.
• Custom instructions: Define reusable prompt files and JSON settings to steer AI behavior.
• Agent mode: Automated, multi‑step workflows that read, edit, run commands, and iterate until tasks complete.
• Next‑edit suggestions: Inline AI‑driven completions triggered by the Tab key.
• Extension ecosystem: Add AI capabilities, language support, and tooling via MCP servers.
• Multi‑language support: Built‑in support for JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, C#, C++, HTML, Java, JSON, PHP, Markdown, PowerShell, YAML, and more.
• Full UI customization: Themes, profiles, Settings Sync, and layout adjustments.
• Anywhere development: Local, remote, container, GitHub Codespaces, or browser‑based environments.

Use cases of Visual Studio Code

• Rapid prototyping: Generate boilerplate code and iterate with AI suggestions.
• Bug fixing & refactoring: Ask the AI to locate issues, propose fixes, and apply changes across files.
• Learning new APIs: Query the chat for usage examples and receive context‑specific snippets.
• Team workflows: Share custom instructions and profiles to enforce coding standards.
• Remote development: Use Codespaces or SSH containers to code from any device.
• Extension development: Build MCP servers that expose domain‑specific AI tools to the editor.

FAQ from Visual Studio Code

Q: Do I need an API key for the AI models? A: Some providers (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic) require an API key, which can be added in the Copilot settings. Others are available out‑of‑the‑box.

Q: Can I run VS Code without internet? A: Core editing works offline, but AI features and remote extensions require network access.

Q: How does Agent mode differ from regular chat? A: Agent mode loops through codebase analysis, edits, command execution, and test feedback automatically until the task is completed.

Q: Is there a way to version‑control my custom AI instructions? A: Yes, store instruction files in your repository and reference them in the settings JSON.

Q: What platforms are supported? A: Windows, macOS, Linux, and any modern browser via vscode.dev.

Title: Visual Studio Code - Code Editing. Redefined

URL Source: https://code.visualstudio.com/

Markdown Content: Any model for any team

Use AI models like Claude Sonnet out of the box, or bring your own key to access models from Azure, Anthropic, Google, Ollama, OpenAI, and OpenRouter.

An expert on your codebase

Your codebase is indexed locally and remotely (on GitHub) to understand what's relevant, enabling fast, context-aware interactions.

AI that works the way your team does

Personalize interactions using custom instructions and reusable prompt files tailored to your workflows, tools, and projects.

Agent mode

Tackle complex, multi-step tasks. Agent mode reads your codebase, suggests edits across files, runs terminal commands, and responds to compile or test failures — all in a loop until the job is done. Further refine agent mode to fit your team's workflows with VS Code extensions and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers.

Build with agent mode

Next edit suggestions

VS Code predicts your next move as you code. Use the Tab key to accept AI-powered suggestions right in your editor. It intelligently recommends what to change — and where — based on the edits you're already making.

Code with AI-powered suggestions

Code with extensions

Customize VS Code with AI-powered functionality from extensions and Model Context Protocol servers to use in Chat. Or, build your own extension to power your team's unique scenarios.

Code in any language

VS Code supports almost every major programming language. Several ship in the box, like JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, and HTML, but extensions for others can be found in the VS Code Marketplace.

JavaScript

TypeScript

Python

C#

C++

HTML

Java

JSON

PHP

Markdown

Powershell

YAML

Fully customizable

Customize your VS Code UI and layout so that it fits your coding style.

Color themes let you modify the colors in VS Code's user interface to suit your preferences and work environment.

Settings Sync enables you to share your user settings across your VS Code instances with the Settings Sync feature.

Profiles let you create sets of customizations and quickly switch between them or share them with others.

Code anywhere

Code wherever you're most productive, whether you're connected to the cloud, a remote repository, or in the browser with VS Code for the Web (vscode.dev).

Built-in Source Control empowers you with Git support out-of-the-box. Many other source control providers are available through extensions.

GitHub Codespaces provides cloud-powered development environments for any activity - whether it's a long-term project, or a short-term task like reviewing a pull request.

Code with rich features

There's a lot more to an editor. Whether it's using built-in features or rich extensions, there's something for everyone.