Visual Studio Code, also known as VS Code, is a free, open-source code editor developed by Microsoft. First announced in April 2015, it was publicly released as a stable build in April 2016. It runs as a cross-platform development environment on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with a browser version available at vscode.dev for users who prefer to work without a local install. Fast, free, and flexible, VS Code has become the default starting point for programmers across skill levels and tech stacks.

What is Visual Studio Code?

VS Code is a source code editor that sits between a plain-text editor and a full development environment.  These qualities allow it to offer just enough built-in tools to be productive without the weight of a traditional integrated development environment (IDE). It comes with IntelliSense, a built-in debugger, integrated Git source control, and an embedded terminal – all in one place, so you're not juggling separate tools when writing and testing code. Built on the Electron framework, it runs consistently across operating systems and even in a web browser.

Key features of VS Code

VS Code's most-used built-in tools include five of its top features, which include:

1. IntelliSense

IntelliSense is VS Code's built-in code completion system. It gives you smart suggestions, parameter hints, and inline documentation as you type. This tool works across JavaScript, TypeScript, and dozens of other languages, and it pulls context from your actual codebase, not just generic snippets.

2. Integrated debugger

The built-in debugger allows you to set breakpoints, step through code line by line, and inspect variables without switching to a separate application. It works across multiple programming languages, and you can configure it for your specific runtime through a launch.json file in your project.

3. Built-in Git and source control

Git support comes standard, and with no extension needed. The Source Control view handles staging, commits, branching, and syncing with a remote repository through a graphical interface, so you're not forced to run terminal commands for every action.

4. GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is now built directly into VS Code, giving developers AI-generated code suggestions and commit message generation as they work. It also includes an agent mode that can handle multi-step tasks end-to-end, from writing functions to running terminal commands on your behalf.

5. Settings sync

This feature backs up and carries your entire editor setup, extensions, themes, keybindings, and preferences across multiple machines. Once you sign in with a Microsoft or GitHub account, regardless of the device that’s running VS Code, you can keep your original configuration. 

Is VS Code free?

Yes, VS Code is free to download and use. It's available at code.visualstudio.com for Windows, macOS, and Linux with no subscription or license fee. There's also a browser-accessible version, vscode.dev, which requires no installation. While the addition of GitHub Copilot requires a paid subscription (or a free tier with usage limits), the core editor, as well as the other latest features, remains cost-free. 

Why is VS Code popular among developers?

A big part of VS Code's appeal is that it's free, fast, and runs on every major operating system, including a browser-based version. It offers first-class support for JavaScript and TypeScript out of the box, which fits naturally since a huge part of modern development is web-focused.

Additionally, the extension ecosystem is massive, with over 60,000 available in the marketplace. This means you can customize it for practically any workflow or language.

Another reason why it’s a popular choice among software developers is that GitHub Copilot is now built directly into VS Code, making AI-assisted coding accessible without any additional setup. In fact, a 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey showed that 75.9% of 49,000 respondents use it, which  proves that this platform is widely adopted across skill levels and tech stacks.

Which is better, Microsoft Visual Studio or VS Code?

They serve different purposes, so it depends on what you're building.

Visual Studio is a full IDE that's been around since 1997. It's heavier, Windows-and-Mac only, and comes with deep built-in support for C#, .NET, and Microsoft-specific frameworks like Windows Forms and WPF. VS Code is lighter, cross-platform, and far more customizable, making it a better fit for web development, scripting, and cross-stack work. Visual Studio has a free Community edition, while Professional and Enterprise require paid licenses.

If you're doing serious .NET or enterprise Windows development, Visual Studio is a perfect fit. Meanwhile, for just about everything else, most developers choose VS Code.

FAQs:

Who should use Visual Studio Code?

VS Code was designed to work for the following users:

• Developers at any level, from beginners to experienced software engineers.
• Web developers working with JavaScript, TypeScript, or Node.js.
• Data scientists rely on Python tooling and Jupyter Notebook support.
• Linux users, since VS Code is the only Microsoft-supported option there.
• Anyone who wants a free, customizable code editor.

How to access VS Code marketplace?

The VS Code Marketplace is where you find and install extensions that add new languages, themes, debuggers, and tools to your editor. Here's how to get there:

1. Open VS Code and click the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the left side of the editor. Or you can press Ctrl+Shift+X on Windows/Linux, or Cmd+Shift+X on Mac.
2. The Extensions view will open, showing popular and recommended extensions along with a search bar at the top.
3. Type what you're looking for in the search bar to find something specific, or browse the curated lists if you're just exploring.
4. Click on any listing to view its description, number of installations, ratings, and changelog, while selecting the right extension for you.
5. Hit the Install button on the extension you want. It loads immediately with no restart required.

What languages does VS Code support?

VS Code ships with a set of languages built in, and extends to hundreds more through the Marketplace:

Built-in language support

• JavaScript
• TypeScript
• HTML
• CSS
• JSON

Available through the marketplace

• C, C#, and C++
• Go
• Java
• Python
• Rust
• PHP
• Ruby
• Swift
• R
• Julia
• Dart
• PowerShell

Since anyone can publish a language extension, the total number keeps growing. That said, if a language exists and developers are actively using it, there's almost certainly a VS Code extension for it.

Can you compile and run native code for VS Code?

Yes, but VS Code doesn't ship with a compiler. So, you'll need to install one separately before anything can run.

Here’s how the process goes:

1. Install the language runtime or compiler for your language. For example, Python from python.org, GCC for C/C++, or the JDK for Java.
2. Open the VS Code Marketplace and search for the matching extension for your language (for instance, the Python extension, the C/C++ extension by Microsoft, or the Extension Pack for Java).
3. Install the extension. It hooks into the compiler or runtime you installed in step one and connects it to the editor.
4. Open your project folder in VS Code and navigate to the Run and Debug view from the Activity Bar on the left.
5. Run or debug your code directly from there, or use the integrated terminal if you prefer running commands manually.

How to use GitHub with VS Code?

VS Code has Git support baked in, so you don't need to install anything extra to get started with GitHub. Follow these steps to connect and start working:

1. Open VS Code and click the Source Control icon in the Activity Bar on the left — this is where all your Git operations live.
2. To clone an existing GitHub repository, open the Command Palette with Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on Mac) and type Git: Clone, then paste a GitHub repo URL or select one directly from your account.
3. The first time you push or connect to a private repository, VS Code will prompt you to sign in with your GitHub account; the authentication is handled directly inside the editor, no extra setup needed.
4. Once connected, use the Source Control view to stage files, write commit messages, create branches, and sync changes with your remote repository.
5. To push or pull changes, use the sync indicator in the Status Bar at the bottom of the screen. It shows pending commits and lets you sync with one click.
6. If you need pull request management and issue tracking within the editor, install the GitHub Pull Requests and Issues extension from the Marketplace for those additional features.

How to download and install Visual Studio Code?

Downloading and running this tool is a straightforward process that takes only minutes. If you prefer not to use the browser and install the platform, consider following this guide:

1. Head to code.visualstudio.com. The site will automatically detect your operating system and recommend the right download.
2. Click the Download button for your platform. Installers are available for Windows (64-bit .exe), macOS (.dmg), and Linux (.deb, .rpm, or tarball).
3. Once the file finishes downloading, open the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
4. On Windows, check the options to add VS Code to your PATH and to the right-click context menu. Both methods make it easier to access folders and files from anywhere on your system.
5. Complete the installation and launch VS Code. It opens ready-to-use with no additional configuration needed.