---
tags:
  - macOS
  - Tahoe
  - vscode
  - editor
  - development
title: Setting up Visual Studio Code on macOS Tahoe
---

# Setting up Visual Studio Code on macOS Tahoe

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a lightweight but powerful source code editor. It integrates seamlessly with the macOS Tahoe environment and the Zsh terminal.

## Installation

The most efficient way to install VS Code is via Homebrew. If you need to set up Homebrew, please see [Package Management with Homebrew on macOS Tahoe](homebrew.md).

Run the following command in your terminal:

```zsh
brew install --cask visual-studio-code
```

## The `code` Command

Installing via Homebrew usually sets up the `code` command in your PATH automatically. This allows you to launch the editor from the terminal, which is a core part of the workflow described in Getting Started with macOS Tahoe.

To open the current directory in VS Code:

```zsh
code .
```

## Recommended Extensions

To maximize productivity, install extensions relevant to your workflow:

*   **Python**: Provides rich support for the Python language. Pair this with the setup described in Setting up Python on macOS Tahoe.
*   **GitLens**: Enhances the built-in Git capabilities. Ensure your Git environment is configured as per Managing Git Repositories on macOS Tahoe.
*   **Material Icon Theme**: Makes the file explorer easier to navigate visually.

## Integrated Terminal

VS Code has an integrated terminal that defaults to your system shell. On macOS Tahoe, this is Zsh. Any configuration or aliases you added to your `.zshrc` (see Advanced Zsh Configuration in macOS Tahoe) will be available here.

To toggle the terminal, press `Ctrl + \`` (backtick).

## Key Shortcuts

*   **Command Palette**: `Cmd + Shift + P` - Access all commands.
*   **Quick Open**: `Cmd + P` - Open files by name.
*   **Multi-Cursor**: `Opt + Click` - Add additional cursors.